A framework agreement and a dynamic purchasing system look similar at first. Both let a public buyer set things up once and then buy repeatedly without running a full tender every time. The difference is who can get in, and when.
Short answer: A framework agreement is closed. The buyer selects the suppliers once, and the list stays fixed for the life of the agreement, generally up to four years. A dynamic purchasing system, or DPS, stays open. Suppliers can join at any time during its life, as long as they meet the criteria. Both are set out in Directive 2014/24/EU, the framework in article 33 and the DPS in article 34.
What they have in common
Both are tools for repeat buying. The buyer does the heavy procurement work up front, then places individual orders, the call-offs, quickly afterwards. For a supplier, both mean the real prize is being in the pool that the buyer draws from.
The key difference: open or closed
This is what separates them. A framework agreement is closed once it is awarded. If you are not selected at the start, you are out until it expires and a new one begins. A DPS is open throughout its life. A supplier that missed the start can apply later, and once admitted can compete for new call-offs. A DPS is also fully electronic by design.
When buyers use each
Buyers tend to use a framework agreement for needs they can define well and a stable supplier base. They tend to use a DPS for commonly available, off-the-shelf purchases where they want to keep the door open to new and smaller suppliers over time.
What it means for you as a supplier
The timing of your effort changes with each. With a framework, missing the start is costly, so you watch for the tender and bid on time. With a DPS, you are not locked out by a single deadline. You can apply when you are ready and still compete, which makes a DPS friendlier to suppliers that grow into a market.
FAQ
Can I join a framework agreement after it starts? Normally no. A framework is closed once awarded, so you wait for the next one.
Can I join a DPS at any time? Yes. A DPS stays open throughout its life to any supplier that meets the criteria.
Are both used for the same things? Not quite. Frameworks suit well defined needs and a set supplier base, while a DPS suits commonly available purchases and an open supplier pool.