DAC Beachcroft

This Practice Note provides guidance on the competitive flexible procedure available to contracting authorities awarding public contracts in compliance with section 19 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). It explains what the competitive flexible procedure is, when it can be used, when it must not be used and how the procedure should be undertaken.

This Practice Note considers CPR PD 51ZB, which deals with a pilot scheme to test an online claims process for County Court damages claims where parties are represented by a legal representative who is registered with the service. The claims are managed using an online portal called the Damages Claims Portal (DCP). The pilot scheme runs from 28 May 2021 until 1 October 2025.

This Practice Note examines the use of dynamic markets for sourcing suppliers under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). It explains what a dynamic market is and how one is established, including the process to be used, conditions of membership, ongoing management and fees. It also covers contract awards under dynamic markets.

This Practice Note looks at initiatives intended to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to bid for public contracts without infringing the public procurement rules. Focusing on procurement under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, it summarises the gradual reforms introduced with the aim of improving SME access to public contracts and identifies some of the best practice guidance for contracting authorities.

This Practice Note considers the use of e-Procurement for sourcing in the public sector, ie the process leading to the award of a public contract or framework agreement (often referred to as ‘e-Sourcing’). This includes the use of electronic means, e-Auctions, Dynamic Purchasing Systems and wider developments for public procurement in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

This Practice Note provides an overview of the public procurement regime for concession contracts under the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016. It considers the definition of a concession contract, the types of concession contract caught by the regime, specific situations and exclusions and the key procedural requirements.

This Practice Note provides an overview of the public procurement regime for public contracts under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. It considers the definition of a contracting authority, what constitutes a body governed by public law, the types of contract caught, the most commonly used public procurement procedures and the key procedural requirements. It also highlights guidance available from the government and other relevant bodies.

This Practice Note is an introduction to the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), which received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023 and is due to come into force on 24 February 2025 (delayed from 28 October 2024), replacing the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015). It provides an overview of the new procedures for awarding public contracts covered by PA 2023, as well as associated provisions relating to transparency, exclusions, debarment and remedies in public procurement.

This Practice Note provides an overview of the public procurement regime for utilities contracts under the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016. It considers the types of utilities and activities caught by the regime, exclusions and the key procedural requirements.

This Practice Note considers CPR PD 51R, which establishes a pilot scheme to test an online claims process for specified money claims in the County Court called the ‘Online Civil Money Claims’ (OCMC) pilot. The pilot is available for use by unrepresented parties (‘litigants in person’) and represented parties, subject to financial limits. The pilot scheme commenced on 7 August 2017 and runs until 1 October 2025.

This Practice Note provides guidance on the open procedure available to contracting authorities awarding public contracts in compliance with section 19 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). It explains what the open procedure is, when it can be used, when it must not be used and how the procedure should be undertaken.

This Practice Note considers the pre-qualification and selection process for suppliers seeking to deliver public contracts tendered by contracting authorities under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. It includes key considerations relating to exclusion and selection, standard forms including the government standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) and the Single Procurement Document (SPD).

This Practice Note explains the rules governing the use of prior information notices (PINs) and contract notices in public procurement exercises subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. It considers the use of PINs, the information required for publication in the Find a Tender Service (FTS) and details of how to complete a procurement contract notice, including the standard forms.

This Practice Note explains the public procurement objectives mandated by section 12 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), as supplemented by regulations and guidance. It summarises the public procurement objectives and explains what a covered procurement is, together with key over-arching considerations, such as transparency and value for money, that must be considered at all stages in a procurement lifecycle.

This Practice Note sets out the key issues for consideration when a contracting authority is considering the use of the competitive dialogue procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Practice Note is also of use to bidders so that they can understand how procurements are run.

This Practice Note sets out the key issues for consideration when a contracting authority is considering the use of the competitive procedure with negotiation under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Practice Note is also of use to bidders so that they can understand how such procurements are run.

This Practice Note sets out the key issues for consideration when a contracting authority is considering the use of the innovation partnership procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Practice Note is also of use to bidders so that they can understand how procurements are run.

This Practice Note provides an overview for contracting authorities of key considerations and issues associated with public procurement under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and other relevant laws and guidance. The Practice Note is also of use to bidders for public contracts so that they can understand how public procurement exercises are run.

This Practice Note sets out the key issues for consideration when a contracting authority is considering the use of the open procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Practice Note is also of use to bidders so that they can understand how procurements are run.

This Practice Note sets out the key issues for consideration when a contracting authority is considering the use of the restricted procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Practice Note is also of use to bidders so that they can understand how procurements are run.