PPN 12/15 (PCR 2015)

Availability of procurement procedures (decision tree)

In: Define > Business need

Overview

This PPN applies to all central government departments including their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies (collectively referred to as 'in-scope organisations'). Other contracting authorities (e.g. in local government and wider public sector) may choose to use the guidance set out in this PPN.

The PPN provides guidance in the form of a decision tree when considering the appropriate choice of procurement route.

In-scope organisations are also reminded that the general policy expectations for procurement include:

  • use of Lean sourcing principles for all procurements above the relevant Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) thresholds
  • a strong preference for the Open procedure as the normal default choice for government procurement
  • procurement should not take longer than 120 working days, measured from publication of the contract notice to awarding the contract, except in the case of complex procurements
  • the Restricted procedure should only be used where there is a genuine need to pre-qualify bidders or where there is evidence (following effective pre-market engagement) that the number of potential bidders is very large.

Objective at this commercial stage

The PPN provides guidance on the choice of procurement route under the PCR 2015 and reminds in-scope organisations of the general policy expectations for procurement.

Key considerations at this commercial stage

In-scope organisations should:

  • apply the guidance set out in this PPN (i.e. PPN 12/15) in order to determine an appropriate procurement route
  • have regard to the general policy expectations for procurement.

The PPN should be read alongside the relevant parts of the legal framework, including but not limited to, the following provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (which may be particularly relevant to the consideration of this PPN):

  • Regulation 26: Choice of procedures
  • Regulation 27: Open procedure
  • Regulation 28: Restricted procedure
  • Regulation 29: Competitive procedure with negotiation
  • Regulation 30: Competitive dialogue
  • Regulation 31: Innovation partnership
  • Regulation 47: Setting time limits

Additional support and guidance

Make sure you:

  • read the PPN and any supporting implementation guidance
  • seek legal and commercial advice in the context of specific procurements
Read the PPN

This applies to