Public Procurement Glossary A–Z
Plain-English definitions for every term you'll encounter when bidding for UK public sector contracts.
A
Award Criteria
The criteria against which bids are evaluated to determine the winning tender. Under the Procurement Act 2023, contracts must be awarded to the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT), balancing quality, price, and other stated factors.
Award Notice
A notice published after a contract is awarded, confirming which supplier won, the contract value, and the duration. Must be published within 30 days of signing on Find a Tender, and within 90 days on Contracts Finder.
B
Below Threshold
Contracts below the procurement thresholds (£139,688 for central government goods/services, £214,904 for other public bodies). Lighter rules apply, but contracts over £10,000–£30,000 must still be advertised on Contracts Finder.
C
Call-Off Contract
A contract awarded by a buyer against an established framework agreement or Dynamic Purchasing System, without running a new full competition. Call-offs may be direct awards or mini-competitions among framework members.
Clarification
A question submitted by a bidder to the contracting authority during a tender process to seek clarification on ambiguous requirements. Clarifications are usually published anonymously to all bidders.
Competitive Flexible Procedure
A new procurement procedure introduced by the Procurement Act 2023, replacing the old Restricted Procedure, Competitive Dialogue, and Competitive Procedure with Negotiation. Allows buyers to design multi-stage processes with dialogue or iteration.
Contract Notice
A notice published to advertise a contract opportunity, inviting suppliers to bid. Above-threshold contract notices must appear on Find a Tender Service. Below-threshold notices for qualifying contracts appear on Contracts Finder.
Contracting Authority
An organisation subject to public procurement rules — including central government departments, local authorities, NHS bodies, schools, universities, housing associations, and other publicly-funded bodies.
Contracts Finder
The UK government portal for below-threshold public procurement opportunities. Central government must publish contracts over £10,000; other public bodies must publish contracts over £30,000.
CPV Code
Common Procurement Vocabulary — the EU-derived classification system for public procurement contracts. An 8-digit code identifies the type of goods, services, or works being procured. Used on Find a Tender for searching and filtering.
Crown Commercial Service (CCS)
A government organisation that manages central procurement frameworks and contracts on behalf of the public sector. CCS frameworks include G-Cloud, DOS (Digital Outcomes and Specialists), and many others accessed via RM reference numbers.
D
Debarment
Exclusion of a supplier from public procurement, typically because of a conviction, serious breach of obligations, or unacceptable risk. The Procurement Act 2023 introduced a central debarment register maintained by the Cabinet Office.
Debrief
Feedback provided by a contracting authority to unsuccessful bidders after a contract is awarded. Under the Procurement Act 2023, buyers must provide better-quality debriefs, including scores against each criterion.
Direct Award
A contract awarded without competition, permitted in limited circumstances under the Procurement Act 2023 — for example, extreme urgency arising from unforeseeable events, or where only one possible supplier exists.
Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)
An electronic procurement system open throughout its lifetime to any supplier that meets the selection criteria. Unlike closed framework agreements, new suppliers can join a DPS at any time.
E
Exclusion Grounds
Grounds on which a supplier must or may be excluded from a procurement. Mandatory exclusion grounds include convictions for corruption, fraud, money laundering, and terrorism. Discretionary grounds include past poor performance and insolvency.
F
Find a Tender Service (FTS)
The UK government portal for above-threshold public procurement notices. Replaced OJEU after Brexit. All UK contracting authorities must publish above-threshold Contract Notices, Award Notices, and other required publications on FTS.
Framework Agreement
An agreement establishing terms (pricing, quality standards, service levels) with one or more suppliers for a defined period (typically up to four years). Work is awarded through call-offs. Suppliers on frameworks can receive call-offs without competing in a new full tender each time.
G
G-Cloud
A Crown Commercial Service framework for cloud technology services. Organised into three lots: Cloud Hosting, Cloud Software, and Cloud Support. Public sector buyers can purchase off the framework via the Digital Marketplace without running a new tender.
GPA (Government Procurement Agreement)
The World Trade Organisation's Government Procurement Agreement — a multilateral treaty that opens public procurement markets between member countries. The UK joined as an independent member post-Brexit. GPA threshold values underpin UK procurement thresholds.
I
ITT (Invitation to Tender)
The main tender document issued to suppliers invited to submit a full bid. Contains the specification, scoring criteria, contract terms, and pricing schedule. Issued after any selection stage (SQ/PQQ) is complete.
K
KPI (Key Performance Indicator)
Measurable targets set out in a contract against which a supplier's performance is assessed. Under the Procurement Act 2023, major contracts must have KPIs published, and buyers must publish performance data.
L
Light Touch Regime
A simplified procurement regime that applies to certain services (health, social, legal, educational) under the Procurement Act 2023. The threshold is higher (£663,540) and buyers have more flexibility in structuring the competition.
M
MAT (Most Advantageous Tender)
The award criterion under the Procurement Act 2023 — contracts must go to the Most Advantageous Tender, balancing quality, price, and other factors. Replaces the term 'MEAT' from PCR 2015. The principle is the same.
MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender)
The award criterion used under PCR 2015 — contracts had to be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender. Replaced by 'Most Advantageous Tender' (MAT) in the Procurement Act 2023.
Mini-Competition
A competition run between suppliers on a framework agreement to award a specific call-off contract. Buyers must run a mini-competition when the framework terms don't fully specify the requirements or when the framework permits it.
Mobilisation
The period between contract signature and the start of service delivery, during which a new supplier sets up operations, hires staff (possibly including TUPE transfers), and prepares systems. Typical mobilisation periods range from weeks to several months.
O
OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union)
The former system used to advertise above-threshold public contracts across the EU, including the UK. Replaced by Find a Tender Service (FTS) for UK procurement after Brexit in January 2021.
Open Procedure
The most common procurement procedure — any supplier can submit a full tender response in a single stage. No prior selection filter. Used for straightforward contracts where the buyer wants maximum competition.
P
PCR 2015 (Public Contracts Regulations 2015)
The main procurement regulations governing UK public contracts from 2015 to 24 February 2025, when they were replaced by the Procurement Act 2023. If a contract was started under PCR 2015, it can usually be completed under those rules.
Pipeline Notice
New under the Procurement Act 2023 — contracting authorities must publish an annual pipeline notice for anticipated contracts expected to exceed £2 million. Gives suppliers advance visibility of upcoming opportunities.
PPN (Procurement Policy Note)
Guidance issued by the Cabinet Office to contracting authorities on how to apply procurement rules in practice. Not legally binding in the same way as the regulations, but buyers are expected to follow them.
PQQ (Pre-Qualification Questionnaire)
A selection-stage questionnaire used to filter suppliers before inviting them to submit a full tender. Assesses financial standing, experience, and accreditations. Replaced in standardised form by the Selection Questionnaire (SQ) under the Procurement Act 2023.
Procurement Act 2023
The primary legislation governing UK public procurement since 24 February 2025. Consolidates PCR 2015, Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, Concession Contracts Regulations 2016, and Defence and Security Regulations 2011 into a single statute.
Procurement Review Unit (PRU)
A new body created by the Procurement Act 2023, within the Cabinet Office, that can investigate suspected breaches of procurement law and publish findings. Cannot overturn awards, but provides a non-legal escalation route.
Procurement Threshold
The contract value above which the full regulated tendering process under the Procurement Act 2023 applies. Different thresholds apply for central government vs other public bodies, and for goods/services vs works contracts.
S
Social Value
Economic, social, and environmental wellbeing benefits beyond direct contract delivery — employment of local workers, environmental commitments, apprenticeships, and similar outcomes. The Social Value Act 2012 requires central government to consider social value in procurement.
SQ (Selection Questionnaire)
A standardised questionnaire used in the selection stage of a procurement to assess whether a supplier meets the minimum eligibility criteria. Replaced the older PQQ format under the Procurement Act 2023. Tests financial standing, experience, and exclusion grounds.
Standstill Period
A mandatory pause (at least 8 working days / 10 calendar days) between the award decision and contract signature. During standstill, unsuccessful bidders can seek further information or challenge the decision. Required for above-threshold contracts.
T
TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings, Protection of Employment)
UK employment law that protects employees when a business or service transfers to a new employer. Commonly applies when winning a public contract to replace an incumbent — you may be obliged to offer employment to staff who were delivering the service.
U
Utilities Contract
A contract subject to the utilities provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, covering organisations that provide water, energy, transport, or postal services. Utilities have a higher goods/services threshold (£429,809) and some different rules.
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