Procurement Act 2023
Quick answer
The Procurement Act 2023 is the UK's post-Brexit procurement statute. It governs how most contracting authorities run competitions, publish transparency notices, and award contracts from 24 February 2025, replacing PCR 2015 for new procurements and centring publication on the Central Digital Platform.
Last updated: 18 May 2026
What is the Procurement Act 2023?
The Procurement Act 2023 (Royal Assent 26 October 2023) sets the legal framework for regulated public procurement in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for the categories it covers. It is supplier-facing in practice because it controls what buyers must publish, which procedure they may use, and how award decisions must be explained.
Scotland did not adopt this Act. Scottish buyers continue under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and Public Contracts Scotland. Always confirm jurisdiction before investing bid resource.
How does the Procurement Act 2023 work?
Procedures
Buyers choose between:
- Open Procedure (Section 19): single-stage, open to all qualified bidders who respond by the deadline.
- Competitive Flexible Procedure (CFP) (Section 20): multi-stage, buyer-designed process that absorbed the old restricted procedure, competitive dialogue, CPN, and innovation partnership routes.
Direct award is allowed only where the Act permits it (Sections 41–43), for example extreme urgency or certain repeat purchases, with transparency obligations.
Notices and transparency
The Act introduces thirteen notice types, including Pipeline Notices, Planned Procurement Notices, Tender Notices, and post-award transparency. Publication is through the CDP and surfaced on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder depending on value.
Evaluation
Award is to the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT), not MEAT. Buyers set award criteria and conditions of participation in the tender documents.
Commercial policy
The Act embeds wider government priorities: SME access, payment terms, social value, debarment, and mandatory KPIs on larger contracts. Suppliers should read the National Procurement Policy Statement and contract-specific requirements together.
Procurement Act 2023 vs PCR 2015 — what changed?
| Topic | PCR 2015 (legacy) | Procurement Act 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Procedures | Multiple (open, restricted, dialogue, etc.) | Open + CFP (+ permitted direct award) |
| Evaluation label | MEAT | MAT |
| Early visibility | PIN | Planned Procurement Notice |
| Dynamic lists | DPS | Dynamic Market |
| Qualification | PQQ | PSQ |
| Publication | OJEU / FTS mix | CDP-led transparency |
Transitional rules mean contracts started before 24 February 2025 may still follow PCR 2015. New competitions after go-live follow the Act unless a specific transitional exception applies.
Key dates
- 26 October 2023: Royal Assent
- 24 February 2025: Go-live for the new regime (not October 2024)
- 1 April 2026: Below-threshold notice obligations on CDP (see CDP entry)
- Thresholds: Reviewed annually (currently £139,688 central goods/services, £214,904 sub-central, £5,372,609 works until 31 December 2025)
What does this mean for suppliers?
- Treat notice + tender documents + draft contract as one package. Do not bid from the notice summary alone.
- Use pipeline and planned notices to build a 12-month capture plan before Tender Notices land.
- Refresh bid libraries for PSQ-style questions, social value metrics, and payment/supply-chain policies.
- Monitor the debarment list and exclusion grounds (Schedules 6–7).
Common questions about the Procurement Act 2023
When did the Procurement Act 2023 go live?
The new regime applies from 24 February 2025 for covered procurements. Procurements already underway may be transitional.
Does the Act apply in Scotland?
No. Scotland has separate legislation and uses Public Contracts Scotland. Wales and Northern Ireland have partial application nuances; check the buyer's notice.
What are the two main competitive procedures?
The Open Procedure (single stage) and the Competitive Flexible Procedure (buyer-designed multi-stage process).
Where should suppliers search for opportunities?
Find a Tender for above-threshold notices, Contracts Finder for many sub-threshold awards, plus devolved portals where relevant.