STOP PRESS: on 1 August 2023, the Cabinet Office published three new standard contract document collections, containing updated templates and guidance for the government’s Model Services Contract, Mid-Tier Contract and Short Form Contract. Further guidance on the adoption of the standard contracts is provided in a supplementary Procurement Policy Note (PPN). PPN 08/23: Using Standard Contracts applies to central government departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies, which have been urged to adopt the standard contracts ‘as soon as practicable’. Other public sector bodies are also encouraged to apply the approach set out in PPN 08/23, which advises the adoption of the standard contracts for all relevant procurements, instead of using bespoke contracts, unless there is an existing government framework or industry standard contract in place (eg for construction projects). The adoption of the standard contracts, where appropriate, aligns with guidance provided in the Sourcing Playbook. We are reviewing this content accordingly. In the meantime, for more information, see: Cabinet Office urges adoption of updated standard contract templates and guidance, LNB News 02/08/2023