Call-Off Contract

A call-off contract is the individual contract that results from activating a framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system for a specific purchase. The framework or system provides the pre-agreed terms, conditions, and supplier pool; the call-off puts those terms into effect for a particular requirement. The call-off is the commercial and legal instrument through which public money is actually spent.

What is a Call-Off Contract?

Under Article 33 of Directive 2014/24/EU, contracting authorities may award call-off contracts under a framework agreement either by direct call-off (where the framework sets all the necessary terms and the buyer simply selects the applicable supplier or the ranked supplier) or by mini-competition (where the framework does not fully specify the terms for the particular requirement and competition must be re-opened among framework suppliers).

A call-off is not a new procurement. It does not require a new contract notice, new selection assessment, or new OJEU publication. The authority for the call-off derives from the framework agreement, which was itself established through a full competitive procurement. The call-off must remain within the scope, value, and subject matter covered by the framework.

Key constraints on call-off contracts include the following. The call-off must not modify the essential terms of the framework agreement. The call-off must be within the maximum values and quantities established in the framework. The call-off must be from a supplier admitted to the framework (and to the relevant lot, where lots apply). The call-off must be placed during the term of the framework, which may not exceed four years for standard frameworks under Directive 2014/24/EU.

In the UK, call-offs from Crown Commercial Service frameworks and other central purchasing body frameworks operate under the same logic, with the Procurement Act 2023 codifying the rules for framework call-offs.

Why it matters for bidders

For suppliers on a framework agreement, winning call-off business is the commercial objective. The framework admission was only the first step. Understanding how a specific buyer makes call-off decisions, whether by direct award or mini-competition, whether by electronic catalogue selection or by a structured evaluation, determines how to invest business development effort.

Monitoring which contracting authorities are active buyers under a framework (often visible through contract award notices or spend data) allows suppliers to focus relationship-building efforts on the buyers most likely to place call-offs.

Example

An Irish central purchasing body establishes a four-year framework for professional cleaning services with eight suppliers across three regional lots. A county council within the framework's scope needs cleaning services for a new community centre. Since the contract value is below the mini-competition threshold defined in the framework, the council places a direct call-off to the highest-ranked supplier in its regional lot. The call-off contract is signed and services begin within two weeks, with no new procurement required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a call-off contract published on TED?

Individual call-off contracts below the EU thresholds are generally not published as contract award notices on TED. However, where a framework call-off is itself above the applicable threshold, a contract award notice may be required. Buyers increasingly publish call-off data voluntarily in the interests of transparency.

Can the scope of a call-off exceed what was in the framework?

No. A call-off must remain within the subject matter, value parameters, and technical scope of the framework agreement. Extending a call-off beyond the framework scope is a procurement breach and may expose the authority to challenge.

How long can a call-off contract last?

There is no mandatory maximum duration for individual call-off contracts in EU law, as long as the call-off is placed during the term of the framework. In practice, call-off durations are constrained by the framework's remaining term and by the specific requirements of the purchase.

What happens if no framework supplier can perform the required call-off?

If the requirement falls within the scope of the framework but no admitted supplier can perform it, the contracting authority may need to run a standalone procurement outside the framework. Buyers should verify coverage gaps before establishing a framework to avoid this situation.