Guidance

Procurement Policy Note 03/15: reforms to make public procurement more accessible to SMEs

New reforms will make public contracts more accessible to businesses, and in particular to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Documents

Details

This note provides guidance on reforms which include:

  • removing a pre-qualification stage for procurements below the EU thresholds
  • a requirement for contracting authorities to include provisions to ensure prompt payment through the supply chain
  • a requirement to advertise public sector opportunities in one place (Contracts Finder)

These reforms are implemented in Part 4 of the new Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Regulations will, primarily, come into force on 26 February 2015.

For further guidance for contracting authorities on implementing these reforms, see:

Read further guidance on transposing the EU procurement directives.

Updates to this page

Published 18 February 2015
Last updated 4 March 2015 + show all updates
  1. Added frequently asked questions link.

  2. Added related guidance.

  3. First published.

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