Procurement Notice Types

UK1 pipeline notice - Published about potential future contracts and dynamic markets. Must be published between 1 April and 26 May inclusive for contracts over £2 million if a UK4 tender notice or UK5 transparency notice will be published in the 18 months starting 1 April. Can also be used to provide information on contracts that are further in the future, those with lower values, those that will be awarded under frameworks, and dynamic markets. Not required for contracting authorities that will spend less than £100 million on relevant contracts in the financial year, for private utilities, or if Northern Irish rules apply.

UK2 preliminary market engagement notice - Published to provide information about how the contracting authority will be engaging with suppliers, or how they have already done that. Must be published before any UK4 tender notice if preliminary market engagement is carried out for an above-threshold contract, or reasons for not doing so must be included in the tender notice.

UK3 planned procurement notice - Published to provide early information about a competitive procurement. Reduces the minimum tendering period to 10 days for an above-threshold contract, if published between 40 days and 1 year before a linked UK4 tender notice.

UK4 tender notice - Published to advertise for tenders or requests to participate using a competitive tendering procedure (open procedure or competitive flexible procedure), including when using a dynamic market or establishing a framework, but not for awards under frameworks. Above threshold the normal minimum tendering period is 25 days, if electronic submission is allowed and all associated tender documents are provided with the tender notice.

UK5 transparency notice - Published to provide transparency before making a direct award. This includes switching an unsuccessful competitive tendering procedure to direct award (which can only be done after the submission deadline specified in the related UK4 tender notice).

UK6 contract award notice - Published after making an award decision and before a contract is signed, including when using a framework or if making a direct award. Starts the standstill period of at least 8 working days if one applies - the contract must not be signed until after this has ended. Also published if some lots will not be awarded. Not required for awards under a defence and security framework.

UK7 contract details notice - Published after a contract has been signed, both above and below threshold. Must be published within 30 days of signature if above threshold (or 120 days for light-touch contracts). The contract document (redacted as necessary) must be attached within 90 days (or 180 days for light-touch contracts) for contracts over £5 million. Not required for private utilities. Attaching the contract document is not required if Welsh or Northern Irish rules apply.