Website of the Department of Health

Framework for procuring External Support for Commissioners (FESC)

The Framework for procuring External Support for Commissioners (FESC) will provide Primary Care Trusts with easy access to a framework of expert suppliers who can support them in undertaking their commissioning functions.

The framework has been developed in response to the vision set out in Health Reform in England: update and commissioning framework (July 2006) for stronger and more effective commissioning, as a key element of a comprehensive programme of health reforms. 

Using the FESC will help by:

• providing easy access to a framework of organisations, offering a range of skills and experience, that have been through a robust pre-qualification process by the Department.
• saving time in undertaking procurement activities with easy access to optimum value for money solutions.
• minimising the range of organisations offering resource, which will reduce the legal and cost implications that can be encountered when seeking to procure external support.
• adopting more innovative and efficient approaches to commissioning.

The FESC is now available for use. 

• Download Framework for procuring External Support for Commissioners (FESC) (PDF, 57K)