Furniture and Associated Services Framework Agreement
Framework Description
Crescent Purchasing Consortium's Furniture and Associated Services Framework Agreement (tender reference CPC/RB/01/2024) covers furniture for schools and academies, with 17 suppliers across six lots. It replaced CPC's earlier School and Academies Furniture framework and is recommended by the DfE. It runs from 2 June 2025 to 1 June 2027, with an option to extend by 12 months to 1 June 2028.
Context & Use Case
Schools, academies and multi-academy trusts use it to furnish new buildings, refit classrooms and science labs, equip SEND and sensory rooms, and replace dining and library furniture. CPC members award contracts directly or run a mini-competition through MultiQuote. Larger refits are often competed for better value and design options. Delivery and installation can be planned for school holidays.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Classroom and educational furniture Lot 2: General administrative, storage and conference furniture Lot 3: Dining room furniture Lot 4: Library furniture Lot 5: SEN and early years furniture and accessories Lot 6: Specialist rooms, including laboratory furniture
Lots
Lot 1 Classroom and Educational Furniture; Lot 2 General Administrative, Storage and Conference Furniture; Lot 3 Dining Room Furniture; Lot 4 Library Furniture; Lot 5 SEN and Early Year Furniture and Accessories; Lot 6 Specialist Rooms including Laboratory Furniture
Who Can Apply
Education furniture manufacturers and dealers, including laboratory, staging and sensory specialists. Suppliers were appointed through the original tender, so others must wait for the re-tender, which will be advertised on Find a Tender, likely by June 2027 or June 2028 if extended.
Buyer Benefits
Specialist lots let schools go to lab or sensory furniture experts rather than general office suppliers, which matters for safety and SEND needs. Direct award suits small top-up orders, and mini-competitions get better prices and designs on whole-building fit-outs. Trusts can also standardise furniture across their schools.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should follow up trusts with new build or refurbishment projects and use summer installation slots. Others should plan for the re-tender: choose lots, gather product certification and testing evidence, design and installation case studies, and education references before mid-2027.
How Athena Can Help
With six lots and a re-tender due within the next two years, picking the right lots matters. Athena's education furniture bid strategy helps you decide. Our bid writing and design-led responses then cover product quality, installation and sustainability.
For appointed suppliers, we write MultiQuote competition responses and check prices against likely rivals. For others, our furniture framework registrations service finds other education and public sector furniture frameworks that are open now and prepares each application.
