Guides to your free procurement tools
Start with a buying challenge, search for a framework or plan supplier engagement. These guides explain the main actions and how to return to your work.
The buying adviser, Framework Finder, practical planners and learning are included with Free membership. Sign in when prompted.
Jump to: Buying adviser · Framework Finder · Supplier engagement · Save and reopen
Use your buying adviser
- Describe the situation
Open the buying adviser and describe the purchase or problem. Choose the help that fits. - Confirm what matters
Confirm your country, organisation type and relevant details. You can change answers for this case. Use Remember my buying context to reuse confirmed country and organisation details in new cases. - Explore guidance and next actions
Follow relevant guidance and official sources. Open Framework Finder if an existing agreement may help. - Return to your saved case
Confirmed answers save to your account. Wait for the saved status before leaving. Use Continue a saved case when you return.
If you need a separate written decision record, open the optional buying decision record. Existing starter working files still reopen in My Desk.
Optional decision record: 36-second example
This silent guide shows the separate starter record and its Word download. Use the buying adviser above for guidance on your situation.
Search Framework Finder
- Search for what you need
Open Framework Finder, enter a service or agreement and use the available filters. - Explore the results
Read the published information and follow the source links. Confirm buyer eligibility, scope, availability and the permitted call-off method before use. - Keep a record if needed
Once you have an agreement in mind, open the optional framework decision record to record checks, evidence and questions. - Return to your workspace
Use Back to My Desk in the Finder to continue with your other tools.
Optional framework decision record: 36-second example
This silent guide shows how to record checks for an agreement you are considering. Use Framework Finder above to search for agreements.
Plan supplier engagement
- Start with your purpose and questions
Name the purchase, explain what you want to learn from the market and add the questions you want suppliers to answer. - Add the practical arrangements
Expand Plan the practical details and safeguards when you are ready to record who to involve, how and when to engage, information sharing and next actions. Keep outstanding checks visible. - Download and continue
Review your answers and download the editable Word starter. Save a working file before leaving so you can reopen all your answers and check statuses later.
Optional planner example: 36 seconds
This silent guide shows the planner and its detailed arrangements. Start with the three main inputs above and expand the safeguards when needed.
Save your answers and continue later
Buying adviser cases save to your account as you confirm answers. Wait for the saved status before leaving. Return to the adviser and use Continue a saved case. You can also download a portable adviser case file and reopen it in the adviser.
Planner and decision-record Word drafts (.docx) are editable documents to review and share with your team. Downloading Word does not save an editable working file in the starter.
Starter working files (.json) keep the answers and check statuses. Choose Save my working file before leaving. To continue, use Continue something you started in My Desk or the reopen control inside the tool. These starter answers stay in the open page until you download a working file; they are not automatically saved to your account.
If a file will not reopen, choose the matching .json working file, not the Word draft. Adviser case files reopen in the adviser; starter working files reopen in My Desk. An invalid file will not replace your open answers. If needed, get help with your account or saved files.
Keep personal declarations, confidential tender information and sensitive records in your organisation’s approved system.
Need help with the procurement?
The starters record your own checks. They do not approve a buying route, confirm framework eligibility or replace your organisation’s approvals. If you need help with the decision or the work, speak to our procurement team. Consultancy is scoped separately.