Procurement Act 2023 - Guidance documents

To support preparation for the Procurement Act 2023, we are publishing a suite of guidance documents addressing all aspects of the new regime, covering subjects from transitional arrangements and covered procurement through to pre-market engagement, award rules, exclusions and contract modifications.

These documents should be read in conjunction with the Procurement Act 2023 and its associated regulations and are aimed at procurement practitioners and commercial policy leads in contracting authorities. They are intended to provide technical guidance and help with interpretation and understanding of the new regime.

The documents will vary in length, but each will typically cover:

• Legal framework
• What has changed
• Key points and policy intent
• Linked notices or guidance, where relevant (hyperlinks to related guidance will be added once all documents are published)
• Where to find further information (hyperlinks will be added once all documents are published)

References to ‘regulations’ within this guidance should be interpreted as the Procurement Regulations 2024 unless specified otherwise. Guidance which discusses contracting authorities acting in accordance with the Act is to be read as complying with the provisions of both the Procurement Act 2023 and its associated regulations.Where the guidance refers to ‘previous legislation’, this means the Public Contracts Regulations 2015; the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011; the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016; and the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016.

The central digital platform referenced in the guidance comprises an enhanced version of Find a Tender (FTS), providing the new procurement notices, and a new Supplier Information Service (SIS).  The central digital platform will be supported by a single place of registration for both parts of the service and suppliers will be able to access both FTS and SIS using the same account via: Find tender service - search

The Welsh Government is separately publishing its own guidance and devolved contracting authorities in Wales should consult the Welsh Government website for more information.

To aid navigation, we have arranged the guidance documents under the four stages of the commercial pathway: Plan; Define; Procure; Manage. You will be able to see from the list below which have been published, and for those which have been published a link to the sub-section where you will find the documents.

To aid navigation, we have arranged the guidance documents under the four stages of the commercial pathway. When published, each will be available from the sub-sections below