Connect2Framework for the Supply of Professional & Operational Support Interim and Temporary Staffing Services to the Public Sector
Framework Description
Connect2Framework for Professional and Operational Support Interim and Temporary Agency Staff (reference C2PO) is run by Commercial Services Kent. It gives public sector bodies a single route to agency and interim workers across administrative, technical, management and operational roles. The framework was awarded in August 2026 after an open tender, with an estimated start of 5 October 2026 and an end date of 28 February 2034.
Context & Use Case
Councils and other public bodies use it to fill short-term gaps, backfill vacancies and bring in interim managers for projects or restructures. The categories run from admin and clerical, finance, HR and ICT to housing and planning, driving, catering and trades. Mark-up rates are fixed in the framework, hourly or daily rates are confirmed at call-off, and buyers can award with or without competition.
Scope of Services
Admin and clerical Finance, HR, procurement, and revenue and benefits ICT support and technical Housing and planning Engineering, surveying and technical roles Interim and specialist niche management Catering, chefs, facilities, leisure and driving Trades, operatives and manual labour
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Recruitment agencies supplying professional, office, technical and operational temporary workers to the public sector. Applications for this framework are closed: the 2026 tender closed on 25 August 2026 and contracts were awarded the next day, so agencies not appointed cannot join until Commercial Services Kent re-tenders it, which is unlikely before February 2034.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers get vetted agencies, agreed charge rates and standard compliance checks without running their own tender, which matters when a role must be filled within days. One single-lot agreement covering many professions keeps supplier management simple, and the long term gives buyers price stability.
Next Steps
Appointed agencies should promote their place to councils, NHS bodies, police and fire services and other public bodies that can use the framework, and keep compliance and fill-rate data ready, as buyers can award roles directly or through a competition. Price with the supplier fee of up to 3% in mind. Agencies not on it should target staffing frameworks and dynamic markets that are open now.
How Athena Can Help
Applications for this framework are closed until it is re-tendered, so Athena would help an agency outside it look elsewhere first. Our framework registration team can find staffing frameworks and dynamic markets open now, then write and check the applications.
For appointed agencies, buyers can award roles with or without competition. When they compete, our bid writing and pricing support helps you build responses and mark-ups that absorb the 3% fee and still win. For council staffing tenders run outside the framework, we offer bid/no-bid advice.
