PPN 11/15 (PCR 2015)
Unstructured electronic invoices
In: Procure > Finalise and publish procurement pack
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').
In-scope organisations should accept "unstructured" electronic invoices (i.e. not machine-readable) if suppliers choose to submit invoices in that form. This may require removing any prohibitions from contracts on the use of electronic invoicing (e-invoicing); or any explicit or implicit requirements and / or terms to submit invoices only in paper form.
This PPN is without prejudice to PPN 03/19: 'The Public Procurement (Electronic Invoices, etc) Regulations 2019'.
Objective at this commercial stage
The procurement documents should confirm the acceptance of "unstructured" e-invoices.
Key considerations at this commercial stage
In-scope organisations should:
- ensure the procurement documents confirm that “unstructured” e-invoices are permitted if suppliers choose to submit invoices in that form
- remove any prohibition from contracts on the use of e-invoicing including explicit or implicit requirements and / or terms to submit invoices only in paper form.
Legal framework
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 113A: Contractual provisions relating to the processing of electronic invoices
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
