- Procurement Act 2023
- The UK's main procurement law, in force since 24 February 2025. Replaces PCR 2015, UCR 2016, CCR 2016 and DSPCR 2011.
- Most Advantageous Tender (MAT)
- Award criterion under the Procurement Act 2023 that replaces MEAT. Authorities must consider wider public benefit, not just lowest price.
- Find a Tender Service (FTS)
- The UK government's official portal for above-threshold public contract notices. Replaced OJEU/TED for UK contracts post-Brexit.
- Contracts Finder
- UK government portal listing below-threshold and central-government public contracts above £12,000 (£30,000 for sub-central).
- Central Digital Platform (CDP)
- New under the Procurement Act 2023. Suppliers register once with core data ('supplier passport') that contracting authorities reuse across bids.
- Selection Questionnaire (SQ)
- UK equivalent of the EU ESPD. Replaces the old Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Assesses supplier suitability before invitation to tender.
- Invitation to Tender (ITT)
- The formal request to selected suppliers to submit a priced and detailed bid.
- Dynamic Market
- Procurement Act 2023 replacement for Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS). An always-open commercial agreement that suppliers can join at any time.
- Open Framework
- New framework type under the Procurement Act 2023, up to 8 years, reopened to new suppliers at least once during its life.
- Competitive Flexible Procedure
- Replaces the restricted procedure, competitive dialogue and competitive procedure with negotiation. Authorities design their own stages.
- Light-Touch Regime (LTR)
- Simplified rules for certain social, health, education and cultural services. Threshold £663,540 (2024-25).
- PPN (Procurement Policy Note)
- Cabinet Office guidance setting binding policy for in-scope organisations. PPN 06/20 sets the 10% minimum weighting for social value.
- Social Value
- Wider economic, social and environmental benefits a contract delivers. Mandatory consideration in central government bids since 2021 (PPN 06/20).
- Framework Agreement
- Pre-tendered umbrella agreement with one or more suppliers. Authorities can call off contracts without re-tendering.
- Call-Off Contract
- An individual contract awarded under a framework agreement, usually via direct award or mini-competition.
- Crown Commercial Service (CCS)
- The UK government's largest public procurement organisation, managing pan-government frameworks.
- NHS SBS
- NHS Shared Business Services — runs procurement frameworks for the NHS in England.
- G-Cloud
- CCS framework for cloud computing services (hosting, software, support). Suppliers list services in the Digital Marketplace.
- Standstill Period
- Minimum 8 working days between award decision and contract signature, allowing unsuccessful bidders to challenge.
- Debarment List
- Centralised list (maintained by Cabinet Office under the Procurement Act 2023) of suppliers excluded from public contracts.
- Mandatory Exclusion
- Grounds that automatically bar a supplier from a contract: corruption, modern slavery, tax evasion, certain national security risks.
- Discretionary Exclusion
- Grounds that may bar a supplier at the authority's discretion: poor past performance, professional misconduct, etc.
- Above-Threshold
- Contracts above EU-derived financial thresholds (currently £139,688 services, £5,372,609 works) — full Procurement Act rules apply.
- Below-Threshold
- Smaller contracts regulated by Part 6 of the Procurement Act with lighter rules, but still must be advertised on Contracts Finder if above £12,000 / £30,000.
- VEAT Notice
- Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency notice — published before a direct award to give other suppliers a chance to challenge.
- Contract Award Notice (CAN)
- Notice published on FTS within 30 days of awarding an above-threshold contract.
- Net Zero / PPN 06/21
- Requires suppliers bidding for central government contracts over £5m/year to publish a Carbon Reduction Plan committing to Net Zero by 2050.
Put these terms into action
rTenders monitors every FTS & Contracts Finder notice and drafts your MAT-aligned response.
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