Buyer’s guide
How public bodies buy procurement software in 2026
Since the Procurement Act 2023 came into force, UK public bodies have four practical routes to buy software compliantly. This guide explains each, when it applies, and why a government framework is usually the quickest compliant way to buy a platform like eSourcing Data.
The four routes to buy
A government framework (e.g. G-Cloud 15)
When: The service you need is already listed on a framework you can use.
Frameworks pre-compete a pool of suppliers so buyers can award directly, without running a full procurement. G-Cloud 15 (RM1557.15) covers cloud software and cloud support. You assess the listed services against your requirement, document the choice, observe any standstill your governance requires, and award a call-off contract. Fastest compliant route for software.
Open tender, the Competitive Flexible Procedure
When: No suitable framework exists, or the value and risk warrant a full competition.
Under the Procurement Act 2023, above-threshold requirements are advertised on Find a Tender and run through the Competitive Flexible Procedure, publish, invite, evaluate, standstill, award. Thorough, but the slowest route: typically months from notice to contract.
A dynamic market (DPS-style)
When: You buy the same category repeatedly and want an open, refreshable supplier list.
Dynamic markets stay open for suppliers to join at any time. Good for recurring categories, but you still run a competition among admitted suppliers for each requirement.
Below-threshold / direct award
When: The value is under the relevant threshold.
Lower-value contracts can be awarded more directly, proportionate to value, but still need a defensible, recorded process. This is the high-volume, everyday end of public buying.
RM1557.15 · G-Cloud 15
How buying through G-Cloud 15 works
G-Cloud 15 is a framework agreement, not a contract. It lets eligible public bodies award directly to a listed supplier without a full tender. In outline:
- 1Confirm you are an eligible public-sector buyer and that G-Cloud 15 is an approved route under your organisation’s governance.
- 2Identify the service that matches your requirement, search the accepted listings and confirm the lot.
- 3Assess and document your choice against your needs (functionality, security, price, support).
- 4Observe any standstill period your internal governance requires.
- 5Award the call-off contract using the G-Cloud order form and call-off terms set out on the service listing.
- 6Mobilise: configuration, data migration, training and supported go-live.
Buying eSourcing Data this way
eSourcing Data procurement technology is available to public-sector buyers through the RM1557.15 G-Cloud 15 framework agreement, with services listed on the Digital Marketplace. Individual purchases are made as call-off contracts under the framework.
In practice that means you get the eSourcing Data platform and the support to deploy it, purchased through an established government framework, one accountable team on your call-off contract, from configuration through to go-live.
See the detailed buying steps
Walk through the full how-to-buy process, or tell us your requirement and we’ll map it to the right service listing.