UK supplier guide
Competitive flexible procedure:
what suppliers need to know
The Procurement Act has two competitive procedures. The open procedure is one stage, open to all. The competitive flexible procedure is whatever multi-stage process the buyer designs, and the tender notice tells you what it is.
Find tenders using the competitive flexible procedure →Checked against primary sources4 sources linked below
- Read the tender notice
- Clear participation
- Plan each round
- Prepare for negotiation
Two procedures
Open is single stage; competitive flexible is designed by the buyer.Rounds can cut you
Exclusion can follow conditions of participation or an intermediate assessment.
What is the competitive flexible procedure?
Any competitive tendering procedure, other than the open procedure, that the buyer considers appropriate for the contract.
Section 20(2) of the Procurement Act 2023
Open procedure
“A single-stage tendering procedure without a restriction on who can submit tenders” (Act · section 20).
Competitive flexible procedure
“Such other competitive tendering procedure as the contracting authority considers appropriate for the purpose of awarding the public contract” (Act · section 20). It must still be proportionate to the contract’s nature, complexity and cost.
What can a buyer build into it?
Shortlists, several rounds, negotiation and refined award criteria, as long as the tender notice and documents say so.
Section 20(4)–(5)
Limit participants
The buyer may cap the number of suppliers, generally or for a round.
- The buyer may cap the number of suppliers, generally or for a round.
- Award criteria may be refined under section 24.
- By conditions of participation or an intermediate assessment of tenders.
- Suppliers that did not tender in the first round, or were excluded, cannot rejoin.
How do you plan a bid through a competitive flexible procedure?
Map every round, gate and deadline the buyer has set before planning the effort.
- Start with the source01
Read the tender notice
Find the procedure description, stages and time limits. - Define the scope02
Clear participation
Answer the conditions of participation that decide who goes forward. - Read the evidence03
Plan each round
Note what each round assesses and where shortlisting can exclude you. - Make the decision04
Prepare for negotiation
Decide in advance what can move on price, scope and terms. - Name the next action05
Review at every gate
Record whether to continue or withdraw, with reasons and an owner.
A supplier’s review sequence, based on the primary sources below. It is not a measured outcome or a prescribed buyer timetable.
What does a typical competitive flexible procedure look like?
Commonly a participation stage, then one or more tender rounds, sometimes with negotiation, then a final tender.
- Before you start01
Use the current documents
Check the primary publication and later changes before using the sequence below. - Check 202
Tender notice
The buyer publishes a UK4 tender notice describing the procedure (notice types). - Check 303
Participation stage
Suppliers request to participate and answer the conditions of participation, often in a procurement specific questionnaire. - Check 404
Tender rounds and negotiation
Shortlisted suppliers submit initial tenders; the buyer may negotiate or run further rounds. - Follow through05
Final tender and award
Assessed against the published award criteria to find the most advantageous tender.
An editorial order of work, not a buyer's fixed timetable. The current notice and documents determine participation and submission.
How long do suppliers get?
At least 25 days for most participation periods, and a tendering period set by the circumstances in section 54.
| Circumstance (section 54) | Minimum tendering period |
|---|---|
| Electronic submission, all documents provided with the notice | 25 days |
| Electronic submission, documents not all provided at once | 30 days |
| A qualifying planned procurement notice was published | 10 days |
| State of urgency | 10 days |
| Light touch contract | No minimum |
| Participation period (not urgent, not light touch) | 25 days |
How should a supplier approach it?
Read the procedure design first; it tells you where effort pays and where you can be cut.
- Before you start01
Use the current documents
Check the primary publication and later changes before using the sequence below. - Check 202
Map the rounds
Note every stage, its deadline and what is assessed at each one. - Check 303
Clear the participation stage
Conditions of participation are pass/fail or scored; failing ends your bid. - Check 404
Plan for negotiation
Decide in advance what you can move on price, scope and terms. - Follow through05
Record the bid decision at each gate
Continue or withdraw with reasons. Keep the decision with its evidence →
An editorial order of work, not a buyer's fixed timetable. The current notice and documents determine participation and submission.
The notice describes the procedure. Read it before you plan the bid.
Two procedures
Open is single stage; competitive flexible is designed by the buyer.Rounds can cut you
Exclusion can follow conditions of participation or an intermediate assessment.Time limits vary
Read section 54 and the notice, not a rule of thumb.
Open a notice and read its procedure section before deciding to take part.
What else should you know about Competitive flexible procedure?
Check these points before committing your team’s time.
What is the competitive flexible procedure?
What is the difference between the open procedure and the competitive flexible procedure?
Can a buyer negotiate in a competitive flexible procedure?
Can I join a competitive flexible procedure after the first round?
Did the competitive flexible procedure replace competitive dialogue?
Where can you check the evidence?
Read the primary publication and the buyer’s current documents before acting.
| Source | What it supports |
|---|---|
| Procurement Act 2023, section 20 ↗ | Competitive tendering procedures, read 18 October 2026. |
| Procurement Act 2023, section 54 ↗ | Minimum participation and tendering periods. |
| Guidance: competitive tendering procedures · Cabinet Office ↗ | How buyers design and run each procedure. |
| Find a Tender · notice types ↗ | The UK4 tender notice. |
Which guide answers your next question?
Follow the part of the bid you need to work on next.
