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UK supplier guide

Dynamic markets and dynamic purchasing systems:
how suppliers join

A dynamic market is a list of qualified suppliers that stays open to new members at any time. It replaced the dynamic purchasing system (DPS) for procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.

Find dynamic market notices →

Checked against primary sources4 sources linked below

  1. Find the notice

    This guide’s primary sources

  2. Check membership conditions

    This guide’s primary sources

  3. Apply to join

    This guide’s primary sources

  4. Watch for tender notices

    This guide’s primary sources

  1. Replaces the DPS

    For procurements under the Procurement Act.

    This guide’s primary sources

  2. Always open

    Apply to join at any point in its life.

    This guide’s primary sources

  3. Each contract is competed

    Members bid through competitive flexible procedures.

    This guide’s primary sources

What is a dynamic market?

A list of suppliers who meet the conditions for membership and can take part in future procurements under it.

Dynamic market vs framework

  • Dynamic market

    Not a contract. Open to new suppliers throughout its life, with no limit on members (Cabinet Office guidance).

    Contracts are awarded by competitive flexible procedures among members.

  • Framework

    A contract with appointed suppliers that provides for later call-offs. Closed for its term unless it is an open framework that reopens.

    How frameworks work →

What happened to dynamic purchasing systems?

The Act replaced DPSs and utilities qualification systems with dynamic markets; DPSs set up earlier continue under the old rules.

DPS (PCR 2015)Dynamic market (Act)
Open to new suppliersYesYes, at any time
ScopeCommonly used purchasesAny goods, services or works
AwardMini-competition among membersCompetitive flexible procedure among members
Still running?Yes, for systems set up before 24 February 2025For procurements under the Act
Guidance: dynamic markets and Procurement Act e-learning module 5, read 18 October 2026.

How do you get from a dynamic market to a contract?

Join the parts you can deliver, then compete for each contract it awards.

  1. Start with the source01

    Find the notice

    Read the dynamic market notice and its parts on Find a Tender.
  2. Define the scope02

    Check membership conditions

    Legal, financial and technical conditions for each part.
  3. Read the evidence03

    Apply to join

    Through the buyer's system, at any point in the market's life.
  4. Make the decision04

    Watch for tender notices

    Each contract is advertised with its own tender notice.
  5. Name the next action05

    Compete for the contract

    Respond to the competitive flexible procedure among members.

A supplier’s review sequence, based on the primary sources below. It is not a measured outcome or a prescribed buyer timetable.

How do suppliers join a dynamic market?

Find the dynamic market notice, meet the conditions for membership and apply; you can apply at any time.

  1. Before you start01

    Use the current documents

    Check the primary publication and later changes before using the sequence below.
  2. Check 202

    Find the dynamic market notice

    Published on Find a Tender when the market is established (section 39).
  3. Check 303

    Read the conditions for membership

    Legal, financial and technical conditions, sometimes by category or part.
  4. Check 404

    Register and apply

    Usually through the buyer’s system; GCA’s dynamic markets use its supplier registration service.
  5. Follow through05

    Watch for tender notices

    Each contract has its own tender notice. Set up alerts →

An editorial order of work, not a buyer's fixed timetable. The current notice and documents determine participation and submission.

How are dynamic markets divided?

Into parts or categories by value, geography or type of work; you qualify only for the parts you apply for.

Parts

  1. By value

    For example low, medium and high value bands.

    E-learning module 5

  2. By area

    For example local authority boundaries.

    E-learning module 5

  1. For example low, medium and high value bands.

    E-learning module 5

  2. For example local authority boundaries.

    E-learning module 5

  3. For example maintenance, cleaning or catering.

    E-learning module 5

  4. GCA says its dynamic markets are for above-threshold contracts.

    GCA · dynamic markets

A dynamic market never closes. Join when you are ready, not when it opens.

  1. Replaces the DPS

    For procurements under the Procurement Act.

  2. Always open

    Apply to join at any point in its life.

  3. Each contract is competed

    Members bid through competitive flexible procedures.
Find dynamic market notices →

Search free for “dynamic market” or “DPS” and open the original notice.

What else should you know about Dynamic market?

Check these points before committing your team’s time.

What is a dynamic market?
Under the Procurement Act 2023, a list of qualified suppliers eligible for future procurements, which must remain open to new suppliers at any time. See the Cabinet Office guidance.
Is a dynamic market the same as a DPS?
It replaced the dynamic purchasing system for procurements under the Act, with wider scope: any goods, services or works rather than commonly used purchases. DPSs set up before 24 February 2025 continue under the old regulations.
Can I join a dynamic market at any time?
Yes. Dynamic markets must stay open to new suppliers that meet the conditions for membership throughout their life.
Is a dynamic market a contract?
No. Section 35(5) says documents establishing a dynamic market are not a contract. Contracts are awarded later to members.
What is the difference between a dynamic market and a framework?
A framework is a contract with appointed suppliers, closed for its term unless it is an open framework. A dynamic market is not a contract and is always open to new members. See frameworks.

Where can you check the evidence?

Read the primary publication and the buyer’s current documents before acting.

SourceWhat it supports
Guidance: dynamic markets · Cabinet Office ↗What they are and what changed, read 18 October 2026.
Procurement Act e-learning, module 5 ↗Frameworks and dynamic markets.
How to buy through a dynamic market · GCA ↗The buyer's process.
Procurement Act 2023, sections 35 and 39 ↗Establishment and notices.
Follow the current primary publication for its scope and any later changes. Calculators use your inputs, not measured savings.

Follow the part of the bid you need to work on next.

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