Framework agreements
16.—(1) In these Regulations, a framework agreement is an agreement between one or more relevant authorities and one or more providers—
(a)which establishes the terms based on which the provider will enter into one or more contracts for the provision of relevant health care services with a relevant authority in the period during which the framework agreement applies, and
(b)based on which contracts may be entered into only between a relevant authority (identified in accordance with paragraph (4)) and a provider party to the framework agreement for the duration of the framework agreement.
(2) A relevant authority may conclude a framework agreement.
(3) A relevant authority must follow the Competitive Process to conclude a framework agreement.
(4) A framework agreement must, when concluded, identify the relevant authorities which may award contracts based on the framework agreement.
(5) The term of a framework agreement must not exceed 4 years, other than in exceptional cases where the relevant authority is satisfied that the subject-matter of the framework agreement justifies a longer term.