UK supplier guide
Procurement Act 2023:
what changed for suppliers
The Procurement Act 2023 has governed new public procurements in England, Wales and Northern Ireland since 24 February 2025. For suppliers it changes where you register, how tenders run and what buyers must publish.
Search Procurement Act notices →Checked against primary sources5 sources linked below
- Register on the platform
- Read the regime
- Read the procedure
- Write to the criteria
In force since 24 February 2025
For new procurements in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Register once
Core supplier information lives on the central digital platform.More is published
Pipelines, awards, KPIs and payment compliance are public.
What changed for suppliers under the Procurement Act 2023?
One platform, two procedures, open frameworks, more published information and stronger payment terms.
| Change | What it means for you | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central digital platform | Register once on Find a Tender, store core supplier information and share it per bid. | PSQ guide |
| Two competitive procedures | The open procedure, or a competitive flexible procedure the buyer designs. | Section 20 |
| Most advantageous tender | Contracts go to the tender that best satisfies the published award criteria, not simply the cheapest. | Section 19 |
| Open frameworks and dynamic markets | Frameworks can reopen to new suppliers; dynamic markets replace dynamic purchasing systems. | Dynamic markets |
| SME duty | Buyers must have regard to the barriers SMEs face and consider removing them. | Section 12(4) |
| Assessment summaries | Bidders receive a summary of how their final tender was assessed. | Supplier guide |
| 30-day payment | A 30-day payment term is implied into public contracts and flows down the supply chain. | Prompt payment policy |
| Debarment list | Ministers can put suppliers on a central list that excludes them for up to five years. | Debarment note |
Which notices does the Act require?
A sequence from pipeline and planning through tender, award, contract details and performance.
The notice lifecycle
Pipeline
Buyers expecting to spend over £100 million a year list contracts above £2 million for the next 18 months.Planned and engagement
Advance notice, and the chance to inform the requirement before it is fixed.
- Buyers expecting to spend over £100 million a year list contracts above £2 million for the next 18 months.
- Advance notice, and the chance to inform the requirement before it is fixed.
- The invitation, then a contract award notice that starts the standstill.
- Contract details, and published KPIs for contracts over £5 million.
How do you prepare your company for bidding under the Procurement Act?
Register once, read each notice for its regime and procedure, and plan for what is now published.
- Start with the source01
Register on the platform
Create the organisation and core supplier information on Find a Tender. - Define the scope02
Read the regime
Check whether the notice is under the Act or the earlier regulations. - Read the evidence03
Read the procedure
Open or competitive flexible, with its stages and time limits. - Make the decision04
Write to the criteria
Most advantageous tender: quality and social value can outweigh price. - Name the next action05
Use the standstill
Read your assessment summary within the eight working days.
A supplier’s review sequence, based on the primary sources below. It is not a measured outcome or a prescribed buyer timetable.
What is the standstill period?
Eight working days from the contract award notice before the buyer may sign the contract.
- Before you start01
Use the current documents
Check the primary publication and later changes before using the sequence below. - Check 202
Contract award notice published
The mandatory standstill of eight working days starts that day (section 51). - Check 303
Read your assessment summary
Compare your scores with the winner’s and the published criteria. - Check 404
Raise concerns quickly
Use the buyer’s route and, where relevant, the Procurement Review Unit. - Follow through05
Note the exceptions
Framework call-offs, dynamic market awards and light touch contracts have only a voluntary standstill.
An editorial order of work, not a buyer's fixed timetable. The current notice and documents determine participation and submission.
Does the Act apply to every current tender?
Only procurements started on or after 24 February 2025; earlier ones continue under the old regulations.
A notice you are reading
Procurement Act notice
UK-numbered notice types on Find a Tender, the platform registration and the PSQ.Earlier regime
Procurements, frameworks and DPSs set up under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 continue under them, including Contracts Finder notices.
What should a supplier do now?
Register, keep your platform record current, and read each notice for its regime and procedure.
- Before you start01
Use the current documents
Check the primary publication and later changes before using the sequence below. - Check 202
Register on Find a Tender
Organisation, administrator and core supplier information. How the PSQ uses it → - Check 303
Watch earlier notices
Pipeline, planned and engagement notices give time to prepare. Set up free alerts → - Check 404
Plan for the procedure
Read whether it is open or competitive flexible. Competitive flexible procedure → - Follow through05
Prepare social value
Central government weights it at least 10%. Social value in tenders →
An editorial order of work, not a buyer's fixed timetable. The current notice and documents determine participation and submission.
The Act changes the route; the notice still sets the work.
In force since 24 February 2025
For new procurements in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Register once
Core supplier information lives on the central digital platform.More is published
Pipelines, awards, KPIs and payment compliance are public.
Free search across Find a Tender and Contracts Finder; each notice links to the original.
What else should you know about Procurement Act 2023?
Check these points before committing your team’s time.
When did the Procurement Act 2023 come into force?
On 24 February 2025 for new procurements. Procurements started before then continue under the earlier regulations. See the Cabinet Office short guide for suppliers.
Does the Procurement Act apply in Scotland?
Not for devolved Scottish procurement, which follows Scotland's own rules and publishes on Public Contracts Scotland. The Act covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with some Welsh and Northern Irish variations.
What is the most advantageous tender?
Under section 19, the tender that best satisfies the buyer's requirements and award criteria. It replaced "most economically advantageous tender" and allows quality, social value and other criteria to outweigh price.
How long is the standstill period under the Procurement Act?
Eight working days from the day the contract award notice is published (section 51). Framework call-offs, dynamic market awards and light touch contracts can use a voluntary standstill of at least eight working days instead.
What is the debarment list?
A central list kept by a Minister of suppliers excluded from covered procurements, for up to five years. See the government's information note.
Do buyers have to pay suppliers within 30 days?
Yes. A 30-day payment term is implied into public contracts and into qualifying subcontracts, and invoices are payable within 30 days of receipt. See the prompt payment policy.
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 · legislation.gov.uk ↗ | Sections 12, 19, 20, 51, 52 and 93, read 18 October 2026. |
| The Procurement Act 2023: a short guide for suppliers ↗ | Cabinet Office summary of the changes. |
| Prompt payment policy · GOV.UK ↗ | 30-day payment and spot checks. |
| Exclusion and debarment information note · GOV.UK ↗ | The debarment list and exclusion grounds. |
| Find a Tender · notice types ↗ | The Act's notice sequence. |
Which guide answers your next question?
Follow the part of the bid you need to work on next.