Our tendering process

How we buy goods and services

We follow the Procurement Act 2023 to make sure our buying process is fair, transparent, and offers value for money.

Competitive bidding

We mainly use two types of tendering process:

• Open procedure: Tender documents are made available to anyone interested in the tender opportunity.

• Competitive flexible procedure: A multi-stage process which can be tailored to the specific requirements of the contract, it may include an initial supplier selection stage.

Frameworks and dynamic markets

We also use lists of pre-approved suppliers to buy common goods and services. Being on a list does not guarantee you work.

• Frameworks: Suppliers are appointed following a competitive process. There is no guarantee of work, contacts are awarded via competitive exercise or direct award (where permitted).

• Dynamic markets: These are open for new suppliers to join at any time, admission does not guarantee any work. Contracts are awarded via competitive exercise.

Existing systems (DPS)

If you are part of a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Suffolk Adult and Community Learning or Supply of Passenger Transport Services, these will continue under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 rules until they expire.

Market engagement and bidder events

We endeavour to undertake Market Engagement prior to tendering. Depending on the complexity and nature of the tender, we may also sometimes hold an open event during the tender process.

Register and create a unique identifier

From 1 April 2026, suppliers who are awarded a below-threshold contract must register on the Central Digital Platform. They must obtain a unique identifier as part of the contract award process.

This change is designed to make contract awards in the public sector more transparent.

Government have provided a guidance document for suppliers. This guide shows you how to register and create an identifier.

If you have registered before on the Central Digital Platform for a procurement, then you don't need to register again.

Key points:

• it does not take long to register
• you can still procure if you don't register (it is only needed by the successful bidder)
• you don't need to complete the further supplier information steps if you have registered

Contact the Cabinet Office if you're having issues with registering.