We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to support with understanding procurement policy and regulations and how they apply in practice.
New questions will be added to this page as they are sent to us.
If you have any questions you would like added, please send them to [email protected].
You should follow the rules of the governing legislation of a framework. Currently, most frameworks will be governed by PCR2015 until their expiry. All frameworks accessed through the Hub will list which rules they are governed by on their webpage, as well as in the briefing packs.
No, the project should only follow PCR2015 if the contract notice was issued prior to the 24 February 2025.
Yes, you can continue to run frameworks and dynamic markets that are governed by PCR2015 until either their expiry or, in the case of DPSs, until 23 February 2029 (if before the expiry).
The new legislation can be found on legislation.gov.uk.
The regulations can also be found on legislation.gov.uk.
An act is either a new law or changes to an existing law. It has been approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. This is classed as a primary legislation.
Regulations or statutory instruments are classed as secondary legislation. They are created by ministers or other bodies under powers given to them by an act of parliament. They are used to fill in details of the act to provide practical measures. There can be multiple regulations that apply to one act.
In part 13 (General) of the Procurement Act, a working day is defined as any day other than Saturday or Sunday, or a day which is a bank holiday, in any part of the United Kingdom under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.
While not mandatory under the Act, publishing a procurement termination notice in this instance would be considered best practice to inform the market that the procurement will not be taking place.
No. A below-threshold procurement cannot be the subject of a legal challenge under the Act. While not guaranteed, it is also likely to fall under the remit of a judicial review.
The length of the standstill period varies according to the governing legislation of the framework.
Procurement Contracts Regulations 2015
The standstill period must be at least 10 calendar days if the notification is sent electronically. The standstill period starts on the day after the notification is sent.
For example, if the award notification is sent 17 February, then standstill ends on 27 February and contracts can be signed from 28 February.
Procurement Act 2023
The standstill period is 8 working days. As this is working days, you need to consider all UK bank holidays when you calculate your standstill period. The standstill period starts the day the notification is sent.
For example, if the award notification is send on 17 February, standstill ends 26 February and contracts can be signed 27 February.
Provider Selection Regime
The standstill period is 8 working days. As this is working days, you need to you need to consider all UK bank holidays when you calculate your standstill period. The standstill period starts the day after the notification is sent.
For example, For example, if the award notification is sent 17 February, then standstill ends on 27 February and contracts can be signed from 28 February.
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