Key date: The Procurement Act 2023 came into force on 24 February 2025. It applies to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland operates its own procurement legislation. Any contract commenced before 24 February 2025 continues under the old Public Contracts Regulations 2015 rules until completion.
What came into force in February 2025
The following changes applied from day one of commencement and are now fully embedded across central government, local authorities, NHS bodies, and other contracting authorities:
New procurement procedures
The restricted, open, competitive dialogue, and negotiated procedures under PCR 2015 have been replaced. The Act introduces a Competitive Flexible Procedure (giving buyers more flexibility) and an Open Procedure. The use of a Light Touch Regime for social services has also been revised.
New notice types on Find a Tender
The old OJEU notice categories have been replaced with standardised UK notice types: Preliminary Market Engagement, Tender Notice, Contract Award, Contract Change, Transparency Notice, and Pipeline Notice. All are published on the new UK Notices section of Find a Tender.
Transparency notices
Contracting authorities must now publish transparency notices for direct awards and other non-competitive procurements, giving suppliers visibility of awards that were previously invisible. These are searchable on Find a Tender.
Standstill period changes
The mandatory standstill period (previously 10 days) still applies before contract award, but the rules around debrief rights and the circumstances requiring standstill have been updated. Suppliers have stronger rights to challenge procurement decisions.
Exclusion grounds updated
The grounds for excluding suppliers have been updated and now include a new discretionary exclusion for poor performance on previous contracts. Contracting authorities must check the new Debarment List before awarding contracts.
Key Performance Indicators
For contracts above a threshold, contracting authorities must set and publish KPIs and then report against them. This creates new transparency around supplier performance that did not previously exist.
The Supplier Registration Service — where things stand
The Supplier Registration Service (SRS) is one of the most significant structural changes for suppliers. Rather than repeating company information in every bid, suppliers register once at supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk and contracting authorities access the record during procurement.
What the SRS holds
- • Company registration number and basic details
- • Financial accounts and turnover thresholds
- • Insurance certificates (employers liability, public liability, professional indemnity)
- • Mandatory and discretionary exclusion declarations
- • Trade and business references
- • Accreditations (Cyber Essentials, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 etc.)
As of April 2026, SRS adoption is growing but not universal. Central government departments and arm's length bodies are using it actively. Many local authorities and NHS trusts are still in transition. If you have not registered yet, do it now — buyers are increasingly referencing SRS records as part of shortlisting.
Pipeline notices — using them for competitive advantage
Pipeline notices are one of the most underused tools now available to suppliers. Any contracting authority expecting to spend over £2 million in a financial year must publish a pipeline of planned procurements at the start of the year.
What they contain
Contract title, estimated value, category, anticipated procurement start date, and expected contract start date. Enough to plan your bid calendar 12 months ahead.
Where to find them
All pipeline notices are published on Find a Tender. PSIP aggregates them by buyer, category, and region so you can filter by your target market.
How to use them
Identify contracts in your category 6–12 months before they go live. Request pre-market engagement meetings with the buyer before the tender is published.
Limitation
Pipeline dates are indicative. Buyers are not legally bound to the dates stated. Monitor both the pipeline notice and the follow-on Tender Notice to track actual launch.
Dynamic markets — replacing DPS
Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) have been replaced by Dynamic Markets under the new Act. The key differences suppliers need to know:
DPS — buyers could only award call-off contracts to pre-approved suppliers
Dynamic Markets — buyers have more flexibility on how they structure and run competitions within the market
Admission to DPS was unrestricted — any qualified supplier could join
Dynamic Markets can be open or restricted. Some may require specific qualifications to join
DPS call-offs followed a mini-competition model
Dynamic Markets can use a range of award methods including direct award in specified circumstances
Open frameworks — what has changed
The Act introduces Open Frameworks as an alternative to the closed frameworks used under PCR 2015. Under the old rules, once a framework closed for applications, suppliers were locked out until the next re-tender (often 4 years later). Open Frameworks must allow new suppliers to apply at defined intervals (at least every 3 years for frameworks up to 8 years). For suppliers who missed a framework window under the old rules, this is a material improvement. Monitor CCS, NHS SBS, and other framework owners for open admission rounds.
What is still being rolled out in 2026
SRS full adoption
In progressCentral government is ahead of local authorities and NHS in SRS adoption. Expect more universal use through 2026 and into 2027 as systems are updated.
Debarment list enforcement
LiveThe central Debarment List (published by Cabinet Office) is live. Contracting authorities are required to check it before awarding contracts. Suppliers should review their exclusion grounds status.
Procurement data standards
In progressThe government is working on standardised data formats for procurement notices to improve machine-readability and enable better market intelligence. Full implementation is expected through 2026.
Wales-specific guidance
In progressWelsh Government has published guidance on how the Act applies to Welsh contracting authorities. Some Wales-specific procurement policy notes are still being finalised.
Northern Ireland implementation
Live with caveatsThe Act applies to NI contracting authorities but Northern Ireland has its own procurement policy framework. Some NI-specific policy notes differ from central government guidance.
Supplier action checklist for April 2026
Register on the Supplier Registration Service at supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Upload current insurance certificates, accounts, and accreditations to your SRS profile
Check the Debarment List to confirm your status is clean before bidding for major contracts
Set up PSIP pipeline notice alerts for your target buyers and contract categories
Review any frameworks you are currently on — check if they have transitioned to Open Framework rules
Update your bid library case studies to include Procurement Act KPI evidence if you have contract performance data
Ensure your standard Selection Questionnaire responses reference the new exclusion grounds format
Frequently asked questions
When did the Procurement Act 2023 come into force?
The Procurement Act 2023 came into force on 24 February 2025. This date applied to most central government, local authority, NHS, and other public sector contracting authorities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
What is the Supplier Registration Service?
The Supplier Registration Service (SRS) is the centralised supplier database introduced by the Procurement Act 2023. Suppliers register once at supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk with company details, financial information, and accreditations. Contracting authorities access this during procurement without requiring suppliers to repeat the same information in every bid.
What are pipeline notices under the Procurement Act 2023?
Pipeline notices are required from contracting authorities expecting to spend over £2 million in the coming year. They must publish planned procurements at the start of each financial year, giving suppliers advance notice. These are published on Find a Tender.
Does the Procurement Act 2023 apply in Scotland?
No. Scotland has its own procurement legislation. The Procurement Act 2023 applies to contracting authorities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scottish public bodies continue to operate under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and related regulations.
What has replaced the Dynamic Purchasing System?
Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) have been replaced by Dynamic Markets under the Procurement Act 2023. Dynamic Markets are more flexible in how buyers structure competitions and award contracts within the market.
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