From Crown Commercial Service to the Government Commercial Agency: What Changed for Public Sector Procurement?

On 1 April 2026, the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) officially took over the commercial functions previously delivered by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS). While the name has changed, the mission remains the same: helping public sector organisations buy goods and services efficiently, transparently and compliantly.

For schools, multi academy trusts and other public sector organisations, this transition provides an opportunity to better understand the procurement landscape and how frameworks such as Technology Products & Associated Services 2 (TePAS 2) continue to support smarter technology purchasing.

Why the change?

The transition from Crown Commercial Service to the Government Commercial Agency forms part of the Government's wider ambition to modernise public procurement and improve commercial capability across the public sector.

Alongside the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023, the GCA aims to make procurement:

• Simpler for buyers
• More transparent
• Better focused on delivering value
• More accessible for suppliers
• More flexible to meet changing public sector needs

Rather than replacing existing procurement routes overnight, the GCA is building on established frameworks whilst introducing new ways for organisations to buy confidently and efficiently.

What hasn't changed?

Although the organisation responsible for managing government procurement has changed, many of the things buyers value most remain exactly the same.

Public sector organisations still benefit from:

• Established procurement frameworks
• Approved suppliers
• Competitive procurement processes
• Standard contractual arrangements
• Clear guidance for buyers
• Strong governance and compliance

For organisations already using frameworks, day-to-day procurement should feel familiar, whilst benefiting from ongoing improvements to procurement policy and commercial guidance.

Frameworks continue to provide a trusted procurement route

Framework agreements remain one of the simplest ways for schools and public sector organisations to procure technology.

Rather than carrying out a full procurement exercise for every purchase, buyers can use established frameworks where suppliers have already been evaluated against government standards.

This approach helps reduce procurement administration whilst supporting compliance with procurement legislation.

One example is Technology Products & Associated Services 2 (TePAS 2), which provides public sector organisations with access to approved suppliers offering a wide range of technology products and associated services.

Supporting technology procurement through TePAS 2

Joskos Solutions is proud to be an approved supplier on:

Technology Products & Associated Services 2 (RM6098)

Lot 8 - Technology Catalogue

This enables eligible public sector organisations to purchase technology products through a recognised government procurement route.

Whether organisations are refreshing classroom devices, upgrading staff equipment or investing in new technology, frameworks such as TePAS 2 provide buyers with confidence that procurement is being carried out through an established and compliant process.

Procurement is becoming more flexible

One of the key themes emerging under the Government Commercial Agency is greater flexibility.

Alongside traditional framework agreements, buyers will increasingly see procurement models such as Open Frameworks and Dynamic Markets, designed to provide organisations with greater choice whilst maintaining fairness and transparency.

These developments reflect the changing needs of the public sector, where technology evolves rapidly and procurement processes must keep pace.

For schools and trusts, this means more opportunities to access innovative suppliers whilst continuing to benefit from robust governance.

Looking ahead

Technology procurement is about far more than purchasing equipment. It's about ensuring every investment supports teaching, learning, operational efficiency and long-term value for money.

The transition to the Government Commercial Agency represents another step towards a procurement system that is more responsive, easier to navigate and better aligned with the needs of today's public sector organisations.

For buyers, the message is reassuring: trusted frameworks continue to provide an effective route to market, whilst ongoing reforms aim to make procurement even simpler in the years ahead.

Working with Joskos Solutions

As an approved supplier on Technology Products & Associated Services 2 (RM6098), Lot 8 - Technology Catalogue, Joskos Solutions is committed to helping schools, trusts and public sector organisations procure technology confidently, efficiently and compliantly.

If you're planning your next technology investment and would like to understand how TePAS 2 can support your procurement, we'd be delighted to help.

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