What is the competitive flexible procedure and how does it work for buyers?

The competitive flexible procedure has been introduced by the Procurement Act 2023 to offer public sector buyers flexibility and choice in how they run their procurements.

What is the competitive flexible procedure?

The competitive flexible procedure (CFP) is a new way to run a procurement through competition. It is designed to give you more opportunity and choice in how you purchase the goods and services you need.

The CFP consolidates the various tendering processes available under the previous procurement regulations into a single adjustable system. Unlike other procedures which follow set stages and timelines, there is no fixed template for this process and it is largely dependent on your particular requirements and preferences.

You can instead design a bespoke single or multi-stage procurement process to meet your exact needs.

How does the competitive flexible procedure benefit public sector buyers?

The Procurement Act has shifted the focus under the previous regulations on achieving the “Most Economically Advantageous Tender” to achieving simply the “Most Advantageous Tender”. This means you have greater freedom to consider the wider benefits a contract will achieve, not just its price.

The CFP gives you the flexibility to design a specific process to suit your own goals and access new capabilities, such as the chance to negotiate with suppliers on their bids.

This allows you the opportunity to focus on getting the best solution and encouraging innovation, as well as being able to maximise additional aspects of bids such as social value.

This also means the process is scalable to suit each individual procurement. You can align it to the size of the contract or the particular goods, products or services you are buying.

For large purchases, or those involving complex goods and services, you can use a more detailed and comprehensive process. For smaller or lower complexity purchases, you can use a quicker and simpler one.

Being able to design the process to fit the market in question can also help remove participation barriers and attract a more diverse range of suppliers, including small and medium sized enterprises, and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

What can buyers decide under the competitive flexible procedure?

The flexible nature of the CFP can mean a lot of variation in the process you ultimately use, which could include (but is not limited to):

  • limiting or expanding the number of stages in the process depending on the complexity of the procurement – a more complicated procurement might need more stages to ensure all requirements are met
  • including a negotiation, dialogue or a demonstration stage where you can request adjustments to a supplier’s bid or ask for a presentation of their offering
  • conducting site visits with suppliers
  • shortening or lengthening the timescales for various stages in the process, although each stage must still adhere to a minimum required duration – see the official guidance

While the CFP allows for flexibility in how you carry out your tender, you must still follow key principles including:

  • equal treatment of suppliers
  • transparency in decision-making
  • making sure the process fits the cost and complexity of the contract

You must also set out in the tender notice how the competitive flexible procedure is to be carried out and the stages involved. This is so suppliers can make an informed decision about whether to bid.

Can I use the Competitive Flexible Procedure under a framework?

You can run a procurement using the CFP under a framework that has been awarded under the Procurement Act 2023, as long as the agreement you are using has been designed to allow it.

Frameworks and other commercial agreements are typically designed to permit specific buying processes to be used under them. This can mean an agreement only allows one style of buying process, or it can allow buyers to use one of multiple different processes.

Before planning a procurement process using the CFP, you should check that any framework you intend to use allows you to use it and be aware of any additional requirements or restrictions under a framework you will need to consider.

The CFP is the only permissible buying process you can use when running a procurement through a dynamic market.

Other articles related to the Procurement Act 2023

Ready for more essential procurement information? Find all the Procurement Essentials articles in one place.

Changes to our agreements in July

Welcome to our monthly framework update to help you with your procurement planning. We will publish it online each month and also share it in our newsletters and on our social media channels.

The update provides a brief summary of what has been awarded, extended or expired during the previous month. It also outlines what is due to expire in the next 3 months.

You can also get an overview of all of our live frameworks in our interactive digital brochure.

Agreements awarded in July

Agreements extended in July

Agreements that expired in July

Agreements due to expire in the next 3 months

Further information

If you need further details about any of these agreements get in touch.

You can also find out what new procurements we are working on by exploring our upcoming agreement page.

If you don’t currently receive our monthly customer newsletter why not also subscribe to receive these updates and more directly to your inbox? fill in this short form.

New agreement helps accelerate access to space technology innovation

A new commercial agreement from Crown Commercial Service (CCS) developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), gives the UK public sector access to CCS’s first Dynamic Market for space-related technologies, maximising the flexibilities under the new Procurement Act 2023. 

A new procurement approach to space-related technology

The space sector is extremely important to the future prosperity of the UK. Many of the services that are essential to our modern daily lives are driven by space-related technologies such as communication systems, navigation, weather forecasting, power grid monitoring, crop monitoring, financial transactions and national security. Currently worth over £18.9 billion annually and employing more than 52,000 people, this strategically important sector helps secure the UK’s global competitive position through encouraging and championing innovation.

CCS has launched the new Space Technology Solutions agreement, to help public sector organisations access both upstream and downstream space technology solutions. It expands upon a previous CCS agreement, Space-Enabled and Geospatial Services Dynamic Purchasing System, with an enhanced scope, suitable for complex space-related procurement.

Strengthening the UK’s access to space innovation

This agreement is helping the public sector access space innovation in multiple ways.  Examples include:

Weather forecasting and climate monitoring

Public sector organisations can now access cutting-edge Earth observation technologies. Satellite data analytics firms are pioneering machine learning algorithms that transform raw imagery into actionable weather intelligence for more accurate weather forecasting and climate monitoring. 

Satellite communications

This agreement connects public sector customers with companies developing next-generation connectivity solutions. The agreement facilitates procurement of technologies such as low-Earth orbit satellite networks that provide resilient communications for emergency services and remote communities.

The new Space Technology Solutions agreement represents a significant advancement in how the public sector can access these vital technologies. Patrick Cahill, Deputy Director of Network, Telecoms and Space Solutions at CCS says:

We’ve designed this agreement to respond directly to our customers’ needs for simplified access to critical space technologies. The dynamic market approach, combined with the flexibilities offered under the new Procurement Act, will help public sector organisations provide better services while generating economic growth and supporting innovation across all regions of the UK.

Collaborative approach and improvements

CCS has worked closely with the MOD and other public sector bodies to develop this agreement, ensuring it meets their specific requirements. The agreement offers several advantages for the UK space economy while supporting the government’s commitment to collaborative procurement. 

Victoria Cope, Defence’s Digital Commercial Director and Senior Responsible Officer for HMG Enterprise Space Category says:

This collaborative initiative between MOD and CCS exemplifies how government departments can work together to solve complex challenges. The Space Technology Solutions agreement is an important pillar within our HMG Enterprise Space Category. It will enable us to tap into cutting-edge space innovations that enhance our capabilities while also creating opportunities for both British and global businesses across the space sector. It’s a win-win approach that demonstrates the value of strategic partnerships within government.

Benefits include:

  • direct access to a wide range of upstream and downstream space technologies
  • flexibility through the Competitive Flexible Procedure, allowing buyers to design fit-for-purpose procurement processes
  • compliance with the new Procurement Act 2023 

Supporting UK-wide growth and SME opportunities

Making it easier for public sector organisations to work with space technology suppliers of all sizes helps modernise public services while creating high-quality jobs throughout the country and ensuring taxpayer value. 

The agreement aims to strengthen regional economic growth by creating more opportunities for space technology businesses across the UK, in particular through supporting regional space clusters (geographical hubs that aim to support the growth of the UK space industry by creating local employment and enabling technological advancement) . 

The agreement will run for 6 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years, ensuring the long-term stability that suppliers and buyers need to plan effectively for the future.

Find out more

To learn more visit the Space Technology Solutions agreement page or contact the CCS Service Desk at info@crowncommercial.gov.uk. 

Prompt payment policy guidance for small and medium enterprises

The UK government’s prompt payment policy aims to support UK economic growth and suppliers, including Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

This Supplier Specifics article outlines what suppliers need to know about the prompt payment policy and tips for prompt payment success. Written by our SME champion, Lucy Mccormack.

Why is prompt payment a government priority?

Prompt payment to suppliers ensures a healthy cash flow, which helps to support small businesses and grow the economy. 

Growing the economy is a top priority for the UK government. Growth funds public services, enables investment in hospitals and schools, and raises living standards for the general public. 

In 2024, 5.45 million micro and small businesses accounted for 99.2% of all UK businesses. Late payments can be crippling for small businesses and can prevent them from paying  bills, potentially resulting in business failure. Research carried out by the Federation of Small Businesses describes late payment as one of the biggest problems facing SMEs, leading to 50,000 business closures a year. 

Prompt payment is essential throughout the entire supply chain, not just for the contracting authority (buyer) and its prime contractor or supplier. When businesses pay their suppliers on time, it creates a positive ripple effect, enabling suppliers to promptly pay their own supply chain, including SMEs. 

What is the prompt payment policy?

The prompt payment policy aims to ensure prompt, fair and effective payment of all suppliers down the supply chain.

The Procurement Policy Note 018 (PPN 018) ‘Taking account of a supplier’s approach to payment in the procurement of major contracts’ will be introduced on 1 October 2025 and replaces a series of previously issued PPNs, including PPN 015, PPN 10/23 and PPN 08/21.

PPN 018 requires suppliers to demonstrate that they pay all their invoices within an average payment time of 45 days (this is a reduction of 10 days from PPN 015). This change will help to accelerate payment cycles, particularly benefiting SMEs.

Who does PPN 018 apply to?

PPN 018 applies to buyers from all central government departments, their executive agencies and non departmental public bodies when procuring goods, services or works, with an estimated anticipated contract value above £5 million per year (including Value Added Tax).

There are exemptions, which are detailed in paragraphs 24 to 26, under Exemption Process, of the Cabinet Office’s guidance to PPN 018. Buyers must seek an exemption to the policy from the Minister.

If you are a supplier who sells goods and services to government departments and you use a supply chain, you will be required to demonstrate prompt payment. You will be required to specify this in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) during the tender process. 

When does PPN 018 not apply to suppliers?

As a supplier, you will not be in scope of PPN 018 if you are not intending to use a supply chain in a contract or a call-off contract awarded under a framework agreement.

You will need to state this in the PSQ and will not need to answer any further questions.

How is prompt payment evaluated? 

Prompt payment is evaluated during the tender process through the PSQ. If you have stated you use a supply chain in the PSQ, you will need to answer further questions demonstrating you:

  • are paying 95% of invoices within 60 days (90% with an action plan)
  • are paying all invoices within an average of 45 days

For more details regarding what suppliers will be asked in the PSQ, please see Annex A: Standard Procurement Questions of Cabinet Office’s guidance on PPN 018.  

What payment data can be used by suppliers?

Guidance on what payment data can be used by suppliers is provided in paragraph 11 under Payment performance (question 5) of the Cabinet Office’s guidance on PPN 018.

How are SMEs supported with prompt payment policy requirements?

In September 2024, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, announced a package of measures to tackle late payments and support SMEs. This package included a New Fair Payment Code and other measures including new rules on company reporting. 

Additionally, PPN 018 states: 

  • an SME who has been trading for less than 12 months should not be disadvantaged and can explain its circumstances in its responses
  • if the supplier is a new entrant to the market and has not met the required standard of payment of 95% of all invoices in 60 days in at least one reporting period, they will still pass this question
  • if a buyer can obtain evidence to verify responses to the prompt payment self declaration questions directly and free of charge from a national database, they should not need to ask an SME to provide the evidence

5 tips for prompt payment success

  1. Focus on organising financial records in advance of completing the PSQ – maintain accurate records and implement systems for tracking your invoices.
  2. Read the instructions in the PSQ carefully to understand what you need to complete and by when. 
  3. Read Cabinet Office’s guidance on PPN 018 which includes PSQ prompt payment questions, the evaluation methodology and frequently asked questions.
  4. Understand that all members of a consortium must provide the information required.
  5. Understand what must be included in an action plan, if it is required – see Annex A of Cabinet Office’s guidance on PPN 018.

How does CCS ensure prompt payment is maintained once an agreement is live?

The core terms of the public sector contract require suppliers awarded a place on a CCS 

commercial agreement to maintain levels of prompt payment throughout the contract. All subcontractors must be paid, in full, within 30 days of receipt of a valid, undisputed invoice in order to remain compliant with the terms of the agreement.

More information on prompt payment policy

Read Government Commercial Function’s guidance note on how to take account of a supplier’s approach to payment in the procurement of major contracts 

For support regarding the application of prompt payment in any CCS procurement, please email info@crowncommercial.gov.uk and title your query “prompt payment query for [name of procurement]”.

Looking for more supplier guidance? Read more articles from our supplier specifics series.

Feedback

We always welcome feedback, suggestions or queries. Please submit your feedback to smefeedback@crowncommercial.gov.uk

Help shape the future of the Crown Commercial Service website

At Crown Commercial Service, we’re constantly working to make our website better for you. We regularly test new features and improvements through user research – from enhanced search tools and filtering options to better navigation and accessibility features.

We have some exciting developments in the pipeline, and we’d like you to be part of shaping them. By joining our user research programme, you’ll get early access to new features and help us ensure they truly meet your needs. This might involve taking part in surveys, testing new functionality, or evaluating proposed changes.

Get involved

If you’re a buyer or supplier who uses the CCS website, we’d love your input on future developments.

Signing up is quick and simple – just click here and provide your name, email address, and organisation name. It takes less than a minute, and you’ll be helping to create a better experience for everyone.

We look forward to hearing from you.

CCS’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2024/25 is published

Ensuring value for the nation

We’ve published our latest Annual Report and Accounts demonstrating significant progress to ensure a greater focus on achieving the best commercial and procurement outcomes for UK citizens. 

Sam Ulyatt, who succeeded Simon Tse as Chief Executive of CCS in July 2024, said: 

It’s a pleasure to be publishing my first CCS Annual Report and Accounts as the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer.

Our purpose is to bring value to the nation on common goods and services and I am delighted that CCS continues to do this. As our product portfolio continues to mature and improve, we can achieve even more through our solutions, by further aggregating the buying power of the public sector.

In our work this year to reaffirm our strategy, purpose, ambition, vision and values, we have ensured that we are well positioned to maximise the opportunities that the new government, new regulations and new ways of working across the public sector will bring.

Helping the public sector meet the government’s aim to work with more SMEs

We’ve continued to make good progress with our efforts to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in our commercial agreements, with £2.3 billion (10%) of central government spend directly with 1,468 SMEs. We continue to design our commercial agreements so that SMEs are able to benefit and that is why 75% of the suppliers on CCS’s commercial agreements are micro (33%), small (28%) or medium (14%) sized enterprises. 

Chair of the CCS Board, Peter George said:

As Chair of the Board, it has been reassuring that CCS has continued to go from strength to strength in 2024/25, not least in part thanks to Sam’s and the Executive Committee’s leadership. 

We have once again achieved significant commercial benefits for our customers and the organisation is exceptionally well placed to support the government’s missions, and to provide the efficiency and productivity needed across the public sector.

Read the full report

You can read CCS’s annual report and accounts on gov.uk.

You can find a full list of all the commercial agreements CCS offers, alongside details of how CCS can help you build policy considerations into your procurement, in our interactive digital brochure. 

To learn more about Sam Ulyatt’s vision and priorities for CCS, read her article in Civil Service World.

What is a dynamic market? How they work in the public sector

The Procurement Act 2023 has created a new form of commercial agreement called dynamic markets. These agreements provide new flexibilities and opportunities to public sector buyers.

This article breaks down what a dynamic market is, how it benefits you as a buyer and how it differs from other forms of agreements.

What is a dynamic market and how do they work?

Dynamic markets are essentially a list of qualified suppliers who can provide a particular range of products or services.

A dynamic market remains open to new suppliers joining or leaving the list at any time across the market’s lifetime. There is no limit on the number of suppliers that can join a dynamic market.

In a dynamic market, you can access suppliers that have been assessed to have the legal, financial and technical ability to fulfil public sector contracts. You can then run competitions across the full range of suppliers, with contracts awarded using the competitive flexible procedure (CFP).

This is different to how suppliers are awarded on to open frameworks or closed frameworks, where the list of awarded suppliers stays unchanged for the agreement’s lifespan or is only updated at certain limited times.

What benefits do dynamic markets offer to public sector buyers?

Dynamic markets offer several advantages to public sector buyers:

  • an open supplier list: encourages innovation and allows the supplier base to keep pace with rapidly-evolving markets
  • suppliers only need to meet the conditions of membership to participate in a dynamic market: making it easier for you to access harder-to-reach suppliers such as start-ups and providers of niche services
  • increased competition through a wider range of suppliers bidding for opportunities: creates even greater value
  • running contract awards as a competition ensures all capable suppliers are considered for every call-off: allowing you to consider innovative approaches and achieve better outcomes

How are dynamic markets different from Dynamic Purchasing Systems?

Under the Procurement Act 2023, dynamic markets are a replacement for Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPSs).

The main difference between dynamic markets and DPSs, is that DPSs were limited under the previous regulations to only providing commonly purchased products.

In comparison, dynamic markets can be set up for procurement of all kinds of goods, services or works. However there are still some limited exceptions, which are outlined in the Cabinet Office guidance on dynamic markets.

Procurements carried out under a dynamic market must also meet the minimum contract value threshold for each type of contract.

When is a dynamic market used?

As with all framework providers, CCS considers the best style of agreement to meet the requirements of each market. Therefore, a dynamic market is used if it is assessed as suitable for that market. This include assessing:

  • the stability of the market
  • how much the supplier base is likely to change over time
  • how much innovation could be seen in the products and services on offer

For example, it may be preferable to use a framework style of agreement in situations where the pool of suppliers is relatively fixed, or if the agreement is likely to require the option to award without further competition. 

We will continue to decide what style of agreement to use based on which will provide the best value to you as a buyer. We consider maximising financial savings, flexibility and access to innovation. 

Other articles related to the Procurement Act 2023

Ready for more essential procurement information? Find all the Procurement Essentials articles in one place.

Changes to our agreements in June

Welcome to our monthly framework update to help you with your procurement planning. We will publish it online each month and also share it in our newsletters and on our social media channels.

The update provides a brief summary of what has been awarded, extended or expired during the previous month. It also outlines what is due to expire in the next 3 months.

You can also get an overview of all of our live frameworks in our interactive digital brochure.

Agreements awarded in June

No agreements were awarded in June.

Agreements extended in June

Agreements that expired in June

Agreements due to expire in the next 3 months

Further information

If you need further details about any of these agreements get in touch.

You can also find out what new procurements we are working on by exploring our upcoming agreement page.

If you don’t currently receive our monthly customer newsletter why not also subscribe to receive these updates and more directly to your inbox? fill in this short form.

What is a consortium and how can they benefit SMEs when bidding for public sector contracts?

What is a consortium?

CCS defines a consortium as 2 or more suppliers coming together to bid for a tender. There is no limit to the number of possible consortium members. Consortia bids are usually accepted across our commercial agreements.*

Why join and bid as a consortium?

Each year, billions of pounds of tendering opportunities are advertised across the public sector. However, many SMEs feel unable to respond to these, due to:  

  • lack of experience
  • inability to deliver only part of a solution
  • limited resources

The cost of bidding for large contracts can be significant (e.g., bid writing, legal advice). By sharing these costs within a consortium, individual SMEs reduce their financial burden and risk. Similarly, equipment, facilities, and personnel can be shared during contract delivery. 

SMEs might form a consortium because individually they may not be able to meet all of the tender requirements but collectively they can.  

If you are looking to grow your business, but can’t tender for larger public sector contracts independently, joining or forming a consortium could be a solution. 

Increasing innovation and social value opportunities

A consortium can often propose more innovative and comprehensive solutions to the public sector’s needs, drawing on the diverse perspectives and capabilities of its members. Furthermore, many public sector contracts now prioritise social value. A consortium of local SMEs may be better positioned to demonstrate strong local job creation, community engagement, and environmental benefits, which can be a significant advantage in the bidding process.

What bidding arrangements do SMEs need to make?

Members will need to take their own legal advice on the structure of the consortium and where appropriate to ensure suitable arrangements are in place between consortium members. You should consider the specific roles, responsibilities, risk, resource allocation, cost allocation and overall bidding approach agreed upon.

When bidding for public sector contracts, CCS will require the tender to be submitted by either:

  • a special purpose vehicle (SPV) –  a company (legal entity) set up by the members of a consortium for the purposes of fulfilling one or more specific contracts
  • a lead member on behalf of the consortium

Except where the instructions in an Invitation to Tender (ITT) specifically state otherwise: 

  • where an SPV legally exists, the consortium will designate the SPV as the lead bidder to complete the tender in its name and ‘voice’ 
  • where multiple suppliers come together to form a consortium but have not formed an SPV, the consortium should nominate a lead member to complete the tender as the lead bidder. They shall be the representative for the other members of the consortium and shall be responsible for the preparation and submission of the tender in the consortium’s name and ‘voice’ 

Bidding on a CCS agreement

The SPV or lead member of a consortium must refer to the bid pack of each CCS procurement they are bidding for to understand their responsibilities, such as how and where details regarding each consortium member are to be captured and what documentation must be completed by whom.

Either the SPV or the lead bidder will:

  • sign the framework award form and enter into the framework contract 
  • sign and manage each call-off contract with buyers
  • be contractually responsible for the delivery of the framework contract and each call-off contract
  • register and complete all core information on the central digital platform for their organisation.

Only the SPV, lead bidder, their consortium members or any key subcontractors (including associated persons) can provide deliverables through the framework contract.

Each consortium member may be asked to complete documentation to support a Financial Viability Assessment. Each member will be assessed individually and should there be a need, guarantees may be required.

It is important that there are clear rules for decision-making, conflict resolution, and responsibilities among members.

Involvement in multiple bids

Bidders are allowed to bid as a single entity or as a consortium member. When bidding as a single entity or as a consortium member, they can also be named as a Key Subcontractor in another bid 

Suppliers can be part of more than one consortium as long as the consortiums are bidding for different lots.

Please refer to the bid pack of each CCS procurement for the rules on bidding.

If you are connected with another bid, we may make further enquiries so we can be sure that your involvement does not cause:

  • conflicts of interest
  • supplier capacity issues
  • restrictions or distortions in fair and open competition

We may require you to amend or withdraw all or part of your bid if, in our reasonable opinion, any of the above issues have arisen or may arise.

Application of the Procurement Policy Notes 

The Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), which  fulfils a similar role to the Standard Selection Questionnaire used under PCR 2015, ensures Contracting Authorities receive the necessary supplier information regarding conditions of participation, exclusion and debarment information. The PSQ may require that the lead member of the consortium demonstrates that they are compliant with a number of Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs). PPNs are used to communicate new policies to be applied to public procurement activities and to support practical implementation.

Possible PPNs that may be applied include: 

  • PPN 006: Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts
  • PPN 007: Contracts with suppliers from Russia and Belarus
  • PPN 009: Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains
  • PPN 010: Procuring Steel in Government Contracts
  • PPN 014: Updates to the Cyber Essentials Scheme
  • PPN 015: How to take account of a supplier’s approach to payment in the procurement of major contract

If you secure a place on an agreement, compliance checks against the above PPNs for the rest of the consortium members will  be carried out. 

Making changes after the tender submission deadline 

All tenders must be submitted with consortium arrangements in place at the time of the tender submission deadline. Details must be confirmed for all related parties, including subcontractors and consortium members. If this is not the case, CCS may consider your tender incomplete, and disregard your tender.

Please notify us of any proposed changes in relation to the membership of a consortium and use of subcontractors in the period between the tender submission deadline and award of contract. You must clearly set out the nature of and reason for the change. If you do not, we may have to disregard your tender.

If you require further information when bidding on a CCS procurement please follow the instructions for clarification questions in the published bid pack.

Supporting you on your journey as a consortium 

Securing a place on a CCS agreement is only the start of a consortium’s journey. When buying under a CCS agreement, all eligible suppliers will be invited to further competitions, and there you will have the opportunity to bid for further work. 

CCS will continue to work with you throughout the lifetime of the agreement to make sure all members’ certification and documentation is in order. 

Find out more

To learn more about how CCS is levelling the playing field for suppliers of all sizes, download our digital brochure.

We always welcome feedback, suggestions or queries. These can be submitted to smefeedback@crowncommercial.gov.uk

*Please note suppliers must refer to the bid pack for the procurement they are bidding for. The rules set out in the bid pack will take precedence over this guidance. 

Help shape our Construction Professional Services 2 agreement

We are looking for assessment support from our public sector customers for the Construction Professional Services 2 agreement (RM6356). This agreement will replace the existing Construction Professional Services agreement (RM6165).

Assessors are an important part of the procurement process. In addition to playing an important role within CCS, becoming an assessor counts towards your corporate contribution and is encouraged in departments across the Civil Service.

Assessment of this procurement will consist of an independent assessment followed by consensus meetings.

The current timescales for procurement are as follows:

  • publication of find a tender (FTS)n notice: 8 August 2025
  • assessment period: mid September – early October
  • consensus: late October – early November
  • award: February 2026

Full training will be provided for assessors in September. This will be a 30 minute virtual meeting.

We will confirm specific dates as soon as possible, however we would appreciate all indicative offers. If you are interested please email cps2@crowncommercial.gov.uk and quote RM6356 in the subject line.