For communications agencies applying to work on governmental projects, the process has for a long time been time-consuming and arduous. Since the beginning of July 2016, however, this has changed.

Two new government communications frameworks have been introduced. These enable UK-based PR and communications agencies to bid for government and public sector contracts – even if the organisation has no previous experience in this particular sector.

Named ‘campaign solutions’ and ‘communications services’, the two frameworks should allow smaller agencies, which may previously have been overshadowed by larger PR organisations, to make the case for their services in public sector projects. It also means the larger organisations have less barriers to get through during the application process.

‘Campaign solutions’ is usually provided by agencies, and refers to the comprehensive completion of a particular project. It is expected to be in place by 18 November.

‘Communications services’ is suitable to agencies or freelancers with an explicit focus, due to its more specific nature. This should be live by 16 December.

The changes will improve the variety of choice for public sector communications solutions, as well as offering government service a wider choice of creative design agencies. The Direct Marketing Association reports how, just one day after the announcement, 600 agencies had already registered interest in the renewed framework.

It will also reduce the time taken by creative agencies to bid for the government contracts, which is currently a lengthy process.

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is one representative body which has been instrumental in the development of these new frameworks. Rob Brown, CIPR president and managing partner of PR and communications agency, Rule 5, says, “Tendering for public sector business has historically been a major cost for large agencies and a barrier to smaller and newer suppliers.”

Brown continues, “These new arrangements change that overnight. It's a major achievement by the Government Communications Service. The fact that they involved the CIPR and other industry bodies has helped achieve a positive outcome. I hope that organisations that still have complex and time consuming arrangements for tendering like local government, the BBC and even some large private sector companies will see the advantages of a streamlined process and follow the government's lead.”