DOS7 (RM1043.9) is the Government Commercial Agency (GCA) framework for digital, data and technology services. It started on 30 January 2026. Buyers use it for user research in two ways: user researchers working on digital projects (Lots 1 to 3), and user research studios and participant recruitment (Lot 4). It is closed to new suppliers now. GCA says it is due to reopen in summer 2027.
What it is
DOS7 is an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023. This is a series of frameworks on the same terms, which reopens to new suppliers at set points. GCA says it will run for six years and reopen every 18 months (GCA RM1043.9).
- It replaced Digital Outcomes 6 (DOS6, RM1043.8), which expired on 27 June 2026, and RM6263 Digital Specialists and Programmes (GCA RM1043.8).
- Central government, local authorities, health, education, charities, blue light services and devolved administrations can use it.
- The tender notice gives an estimated value of £12 billion excluding VAT. The first framework runs to 29 July 2027 and can be extended to 29 January 2029. The scheme ends on 29 January 2032 (notice 020575-2025).
GCA was called Crown Commercial Service until 1 April 2026.
What it buys
It buys work across the agile life cycle: discovery, alpha, beta, live and retirement. There are four lots:
| Lot | What buyers use it for |
|---|---|
| 1 Digital Outcomes | A supplier delivers a specific, outcome-based digital project |
| 2 Digital Capability and Delivery Partners | Long-term transformation, capability building and extra resource |
| 3 Digital Specialists | Individual specialists who join the buyer’s team |
| 4 User Research Studios and Participants | Hiring studio space or recruiting participants to test digital services |
Where user research fits. GCA’s DOS7 day-rate report lists user researcher roles under Lots 1, 2 and 3, from associate to head of user research (rates report). So a user research agency would usually look at Lot 1 (a team delivering an outcome) or Lot 3 (individual researchers). Lot 4 is for studios and participant recruitment.
DOS7 doesn’t cover management consultancy (GCA points to MCF4), non-digital roles, or roles without clear deliverables.
Who can join and how
DOS7 is closed to new suppliers until it reopens. GCA’s page for the second framework (RM1043.9.2) says (GCA RM1043.9.2):
- it is “due to reopen in summer 2027”;
- exact timelines “will be confirmed in late 2026”;
- pre-market engagement is planned for autumn and winter 2026;
- suppliers can register interest through a GCA survey linked from that page.
Last time, the tender documents were on the Digital Marketplace. Bidders linked their account with a share code from the Central Digital Platform (notice 020575-2025). When an open framework reopens, existing suppliers may keep their place without a new tender, if the framework has no cap on supplier numbers (GOV.UK frameworks guidance).
How work is awarded
A call-off is a contract awarded under the framework. On DOS7, buyers can only use further competition. This is a small tender (a competition for a contract) among framework suppliers. GCA’s rules are:
- Buyers run a single-stage, two-stage or multi-stage competition.
- There is no award without competition, and each procurement goes to one supplier.
- Buyers publish their requirements on GCA’s Contract Award Service (CAS). Every supplier on the framework that is registered on CAS can see them and respond.
Where opportunities are published. CAS has a public Digital Outcomes opportunities list. It covers DOS6 and DOS7 and can be filtered by lot and status. CAS says new projects appear after 24 hours. Older opportunities from DOS5, the framework before DOS6, stay on the Digital Marketplace.
Under the Procurement Act 2023, buyers don’t publish tender notices for framework call-offs, but they do publish a contract award notice for each call-off (GOV.UK frameworks guidance).
Key dates
Show the table (9 rows)Hide the table
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 30 Jan 2026 | DOS7 started |
| 26 Mar 2026 | Last day to start new DOS6 procurements on CAS |
| 1 Apr 2026 | GCA announced DOS7 live for new tenders |
| 27 Jun 2026 | DOS6 expired |
| Autumn and winter 2026 | Pre-market engagement for the reopening (GCA) |
| Late 2026 | GCA to confirm exact timelines |
| Summer 2027 | DOS7 due to reopen to new suppliers |
| 29 Jul 2027 | First DOS7 framework ends, unless extended |
| 29 Jan 2032 | DOS7 scheme ends |
What to do now
- Not on DOS7? Register interest through the GCA survey and watch the RM1043.9.2 page for engagement sessions.
- Read the CAS list. It shows what buyers ask for under each lot, including Lot 4, before you decide to bid.
- Already on DOS7? Check CAS often. GCA requires buyers to publish their requirements there.
Questions people ask
Who are the DOS7 suppliers?
GCA lists them under each lot on the DOS7 agreement page. We don’t name suppliers.
Can I join DOS7 now?
No. GCA says it is due to reopen in summer 2027, with exact timings to be confirmed in late 2026.
Where are DOS7 opportunities published?
On GCA’s Contract Award Service. The opportunities list is public.
Is user research only in Lot 4?
No. Lot 4 covers studios and participant recruitment. User researcher roles are priced under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
How Tenderhooks helps
Tenderhooks reads Find a Tender, Contracts Finder and Public Contracts Scotland. It doesn’t read CAS, so DOS7 call-offs don’t appear in your plan. User research tenders that buyers advertise on those three sites do, matched to your firm’s searches. Award notices on those sites feed each buyer’s record, and early notices show under “Coming up”.
Sources
- GCA: RM1043.9 DOS7: type, start date, length, lots, users, scope, how to buy, CAS. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
- GCA: RM1043.9.2: reopening timing, engagement, interest survey. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
- GCA: RM1043.8 DOS6: expiry, last date for new procurements, DOS7 live notice. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
- Find a Tender: notice 020575-2025, via the official API: value, lot dates, open framework scheme end date, Digital Marketplace and share code. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
- CAS: Digital Outcomes opportunities: public list, filters, 24-hour delay. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
- GCA: DOS7 day-rate report: user researcher roles by lot. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
- GOV.UK: frameworks guidance: open frameworks, existing suppliers, call-off notices. Checked 2 Nov 2026.
This page explains official rules and guidance in plain English, checked on the date above. It is not legal advice. The official sources it links to are what apply.
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