Official UK procurement guidance, explained

Below-threshold contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What the Procurement Act 2023 guidance says on below-threshold contracts: notifiable values, tender notices, the SME duty and contract details deadlines.

Competitive tendering procedures under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What the Procurement Act 2023 guidance says about the open procedure and the competitive flexible procedure: stages, exclusions, refinement and standstill.

Concession contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What the Procurement Act 2023 guidance says about concession contracts: how they are defined, when the Act applies and where the flexibilities sit.

Conflicts of interest under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

A plain English guide to the official conflicts of interest guidance under the Procurement Act 2023, covering sections 81 to 83 and the conflicts assessment.

Covered procurement under the Procurement Act 2023: what the term means and why it matters

A plain English guide to covered procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, how it differs from procurement generally, and which rules apply to which contracts.

Defence and security contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: derogations, flexibility and the rules that still apply

A plain English guide to defence and security contracts under the Procurement Act 2023, the derogations at section 7, and the rules that still apply in full.

Devolved contracting authorities under the Procurement Act 2023, explained

How the Procurement Act 2023 applies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: devolved Welsh authorities, transferred Northern Ireland authorities and reserved arrangements.

Direct award under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

When a contract can be awarded without competition under the Procurement Act 2023: the Schedule 5 justifications, transparency notices and the 8 day standstill.

Dynamic markets under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What the Procurement Act 2023 guidance says about dynamic markets: membership conditions, the four notices, fees, removals and how contracts are awarded.

Exempted contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: what the exemptions are for and how to use them safely

A plain English guide to exempted contracts under the Procurement Act 2023, why the exemptions exist under section 3 and Schedule 2, and how to evidence one.

Frameworks under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What the Procurement Act 2023 guidance says about frameworks: maximum terms, open frameworks, call-off awards with and without competition, fees and notices.

Light touch contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: which services qualify and what actually changes

A plain English guide to light touch contracts under the Procurement Act 2023, which services qualify under section 9 and Schedule 1, and what stays the same.

Lots under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What the Procurement Act 2023 guidance on lots requires: the duty to consider dividing contracts, limits on lots per supplier and the notice duties that follow.

Mixed procurement under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

How to handle contracts that mix goods, services and works, or mix special regimes, under sections 5 and 10 of the Procurement Act 2023 explained.

Pipeline notices under the Procurement Act 2023: publishing your forward look and why it matters

A plain English guide to pipeline notices under the Procurement Act 2023, the section 93 requirement, and how forward pipelines help smaller suppliers compete.

Planned procurement notices under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What a planned procurement notice is, when it qualifies, and how a qualifying notice lets you cut the tendering period to a minimum of ten days.

Preliminary market engagement under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What the Procurement Act 2023 guidance says about talking to the market before you tender: permitted purposes, notices, unfair advantage and exclusion.

Procurement thresholds under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

The Procurement Act 2023 threshold guidance explained: the Schedule 1 amounts for 2026 and 2027, how VAT is treated and why thresholds move every two years.

Reserved contracts for supported employment providers under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

What the Procurement Act 2023 guidance says about reserving contracts for supported employment providers under section 32, and how to apply it.

Technical specifications under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

Writing technical specifications under section 56 of the Procurement Act 2023: performance and functional requirements, standards, equivalents and brand rules.

The covered procurement objectives at section 12: what the duty to have regard actually requires

A plain English guide to the Procurement Act 2023 covered procurement objectives, the section 12 duty to have regard, and how teams can evidence it.

The national procurement policy statement: what the NPPS is and what having regard to it means

A plain English guide to the national procurement policy statement, the duty to have regard to the current NPPS, and how to evidence that you met it.

Transitional and saving arrangements: which rules apply to procurements and contracts that straddle the Procurement Act 2023

A plain English guide to the transitional and saving arrangements for the Procurement Act 2023: which rules apply to ongoing procurements and legacy contracts.

Treaty state suppliers under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

How the Procurement Act 2023 protects suppliers from countries with UK trade deals, what the non-discrimination duty means, and when you may exclude others.

Valuation of contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

How authorities must estimate contract value under section 4 and Schedule 3 of the Procurement Act 2023, including VAT, options, frameworks and aggregation.

Who counts as a contracting authority under the Procurement Act 2023: the official guidance, explained

A plain English guide to the Procurement Act 2023 guidance on the contracting authority definition, and how to check whether you are in scope of the rules.

AI in bids and public services: PPN 017 explained

PPN 017 explained: how public buyers should handle supplier use of AI in bids and services, with disclosure questions, due diligence and risk controls.

Cyber Essentials in public contracts: PPN 014 explained

PPN 014 explained: when UK public contracts require Cyber Essentials or equivalent controls, which contracts are in scope and how buyers stay proportionate.

Cyber Essentials in public contracts: PPN 09/23, explained

What PPN 09/23 requires: when public buyers must ask for Cyber Essentials or equivalent controls, which contracts are in scope and how suppliers comply.

Data protection clauses in public contracts: PPN 020 explained

PPN 020 explained: the data protection clauses public contracts must include, controller and processor duties, liability caps and overseas transfers.

PPN 004 Open Book Contract Management: the official note, explained

PPN 004 sets out a tiered, proportionate approach to Open Book Contract Management, covering allowable costs, portfolio review and the skills it needs.

PPN 005 Reserving Below Threshold Procurements: the official action note, explained

PPN 005 lets in-scope bodies reserve below threshold competitions by supplier location, and additionally for SMEs and VCSEs, with conditions and Part 6 duties.

PPN 007 FAQs on Russian and Belarusian suppliers: the official answers, explained

The companion FAQ to PPN 007 answers the practical questions on termination, subcontractors, new bids and local government powers. Here is what it says.

PPN 007 on contracts with suppliers from Russia and Belarus: the official guidance, explained

What PPN 007 asks buyers to do about Russian and Belarusian prime contractors, how to assess termination risk, and how new procurements should be handled.

PPN 008 Armed Forces Covenant: the official information note, explained

PPN 008 asks departments to encourage suppliers to sign the Armed Forces Covenant using set tender text, without making it part of the procurement process.

PPN 009 Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains: the official note, explained

What PPN 009 requires on modern slavery risk in public supply chains, who it applies to, and how to act on it from 24 February 2025 onwards.

PPN 011 The Commercial Playbooks: the official action note, explained

PPN 011 requires in-scope organisations to apply the Sourcing, Consultancy, Construction and DDaT Playbooks, with adherence assured through existing controls.

PPN 012 and the Government Security Classifications Policy 2023: the official guidance, explained

How PPN 012 applies the Government Security Classifications Policy to contracts, what changed in the 2023 policy, and what commercial teams must do about it.

PPN 013 on using standard contracts: the official guidance, explained

PPN 013 tells central government to use the Model Services, Mid-Tier or Short Form Contract instead of bespoke terms. Here is which one fits which purchase.

PPN 02/23 Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains: what the 2023 action note required

PPN 02/23 set modern slavery requirements for government supply chains from April 2023: risk assessment, high risk procurements and exclusion grounds.

PPN 02/24: the original AI transparency note for procurement, explained

PPN 02/24 explained: the March 2024 note on supplier AI use in bidding, disclosure questions, due diligence and which procurements it still governs.

PPN 022 Procuring Steel in Government Contracts: the official action note, explained

PPN 022 sets out steel transparency reporting, UK Steel Digital Catalogue consultation and annual data returns for central government steel procurement.

PPN 024 The Public Interest Test and Insourcing Strategy: the official action note, explained

PPN 024 introduces a Public Interest Test before services procurements over £1 million and five year Insourcing Strategies, both applying from 1 April 2027.

PPN 03/24 and the Standard Selection Questionnaire: the official guidance, explained

PPN 03/24 updates the Selection Questionnaire and its statutory guidance. What changed, how the three parts work and what you must report as a deviation.

PPN 05/23 and the Australia and New Zealand FTAs: the official guidance, explained

Three technical changes to UK procurement rules flow from the Australia and New Zealand trade deals, and they apply to all procurements, not just those markets.

PPN 07/23 on the Government Security Classifications Policy: the original guidance, explained

PPN 07/23 brought the 2023 classifications policy into public contracts, with a 12 month window. Here is what it required and where it still applies.

PPN 08/23 on using standard contracts: the original guidance, explained

PPN 08/23 replaced PPN 04/14 and PPN 06/14 and set the three standard contracts for central government. Here is what it required and how it has since moved on.

PPN 11/23 New Thresholds from 1 January 2024: the official action note, explained

PPN 11/23 sets the procurement thresholds applying from 1 January 2024 under the UK regulations, plus the VAT change coming with the Procurement Act 2023.

Procuring steel in government contracts: the 2023 guidance (PPN 04/23), explained

PPN 04/23 set the rules for steel in government contracts under the previous regulations: scope, policy tools and the annual steel data return, explained.

SME and VCSE spend targets: what PPN 001 requires of government departments

PPN 001 requires central government to set three year SME spend targets from April 2025 and VCSE targets from April 2026. Deadlines, definitions and duties.

The Carbon Reduction Contract Schedule: PPN 01/24, explained

PPN 01/24 gives buyers a standard Carbon Reduction Schedule for contracts: emissions reporting, supplier targets and reduction plans. Here is how it works.

The carbon reduction contract schedule: PPN 016 explained

PPN 016 explained: the standard carbon reduction contract schedule, when to include it in public contracts and how it supports the UK net zero target.

The Social Value Model under PPN 002: what central government must apply from October 2025

PPN 002 requires central government to apply the updated Social Value Model, with a minimum 10% weighting, from 1 October 2025. Key rules explained.

Approval processes for complex outsourcing: the official guidance, explained

How government assures complex outsourcing projects: Project Validation Reviews, early commercial expertise and the OBC and FBC assurance checkpoints.

Assessing economic and financial standing: the government guidance for buyers and bidders, explained

How buyers assess bidder financial capacity, tier contracts Gold, Silver and Bronze, apply mitigations such as guarantees and bonds, and monitor after award.

Bid evaluation in public procurement: the official guidance note, explained

Good practice for designing and running bid evaluation: MEAT, weighting price, quality and social value, moderation, record keeping and low bid checks.

Competitive Dialogue and Competitive Procedure with Negotiation: the official guidance, explained

When and how to run Competitive Dialogue or Competitive Procedure with Negotiation: the five stages, dialogue strategy, records and common pitfalls.

Corporate financial distress: the government guidance on spotting and managing supplier failure

How buyers should monitor supplier financial health, spot early signs of distress, escalate concerns and plan for continuity of critical public services.

Delivery model assessments: the official guidance on make, buy or mix, explained

A plain English guide to the government guidance on delivery model assessments: the eight steps, evaluation criteria, Should Cost Models and approvals.

Early supply chain involvement and market engagement in construction: the official guidance, explained

What the government's guidance says about market health checks, early market engagement and paid early supply chain involvement in public construction.

Legacy IT and commercial contracts: the government guidance, explained

How the government guidance on legacy IT changes commercial practice: evergreen contract provisions, supplier risk reporting, asset records, open standards and exit planning.

Longer term contracting in construction: when it works and when it does not, explained

The official guidance on longer term construction contracts: when portfolios drive value, when to avoid them, and the break clauses and KPIs that matter.

Market management in public procurement: the official guidance note, explained

How the Market Management Guidance Note asks buyers to assess market health and adapt commercial strategies to keep public sector markets competitive.

Measuring commercial benefits: the four minimum requirements, explained

The official guidance on measuring commercial benefits from outsourcing contracts: registers, 12 month reviews, benefits reports and external assurance.

Modern Methods of Construction: the official guidance on contracting for MMC and platforms, explained

How the government's MMC guidance helps public buyers assess platform approaches and adapt contracts for offsite manufacturing, change and IP.

Net zero carbon in construction procurement: the official guidance, explained

How the government's net zero construction guidance embeds whole life carbon, Carbon Reduction Plans and biodiversity net gain into public procurement.

Resolution planning for supplier insolvency: the official guidance note, explained

What the Resolution Planning Guidance Note requires: CRP information, continuity and exit plans, and safeguards when critical suppliers fail.

Risk allocation and pricing approaches: the government guidance, explained

A plain English guide to the government guidance on risk allocation, pricing approaches, payment mechanisms and inflation management in public contracts.

Should Cost Models: what they are, when you need one and how to build one

The official Should Cost Modelling guidance explained: whole life cost forecasts, protection from low-cost bid bias and the five stages of a good model.

Testing and piloting services: the Cabinet Office guidance, explained

A plain English guide to the Cabinet Office Testing and Piloting Services guidance note: pilots, proofs of concept, test and learn, and the commercial choices behind them.

The Construction Playbook: the government's rules for public works procurement, explained

What the Construction Playbook requires of public works procurement: the 14 key policies, whole life carbon, MMC and longer term contracting, explained.

The Consultancy Playbook: how government should buy and manage consultants

A plain English guide to version 1.1 of the Cabinet Office Consultancy Playbook: delivery models, IR35, specifications, evaluation, SME access and knowledge transfer.

The Digital, Data and Technology Playbook: what it requires, explained

The government playbook for sourcing digital, data and technology: 11 key policies, six priorities, legacy IT rules and what version 2 adds on AI.

The Gold Standard review of construction frameworks: all 24 recommendations, explained

A plain English guide to the Constructing the Gold Standard review: Professor Mosey's 24 recommendations for public sector construction frameworks.

The Sourcing Playbook: the 11 key policies for public service delivery, explained

The Sourcing Playbook explained: 11 key policies for outsourcing, insourcing and mixed economy delivery, and what central government must apply.

Conflict of interest declaration form under the Procurement Act 2023: how to use the official template

How to use the official conflict of interest declaration form: who signs it, what Parts One and Two capture, and how to keep it live across a procurement.

The conflicts assessment under the Procurement Act 2023: how to use the official template

Section 83 requires a conflicts assessment before you publish a tender, transparency or dynamic market notice. Here is what the official template captures.