Catalogue
A document that provides information on products and services offered by a supplier.
Could also refer to our online buying platforms or ‘catalogues’ which are designed to make it easy for you to make smaller or one-off purchases online. For example, this could include buying office equipment or IT supplies.
Take a look at our online catalogues.
Call-off award procedure
The procedures stated within the commercial agreement that buyers can use to award a call-off contract.
Call-off contract
A contract between a buyer and a supplier for the provision of goods or services.
Subject to the call-off award procedure, buyers can award a call-off contract to a supplier directly (without re-opening competition) or after completing a:
- further competition if using PCR15
- award with competition if using Procurement Act 2023
Call-off schedule
A schedule that forms part of the Call-off contract. To see which Call-off schedules you need to complete, check the document section of the commercial agreement you are buying through.
See our list of commercial agreements.
Other documents forming the procurement contract include:
• Joint schedules
* Framework schedules
Capability assessment
This is when a supplier self certifies their ability to provide certain requirements in a procurement. For example, they may certify if they can provide goods and services within 3 weeks. This allows buyers to shortlist bidders who are capable of performing the contract.
Carbon Net Zero
Carbon net zero (CNZ) means we are not adding more carbon emissions to the atmosphere. Any carbon emissions we do create are balanced out by taking the same amount of carbon from the atmosphere.
See how we can help you reach your carbon net zero goals.
Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP)
A Carbon Reduction Plan helps customers understand the impact of a supplier’s operations on the environment. A CRP details an organisation’s emissions across a single year against a range of emission sources and greenhouse gases. The CRP is also required to show what actions will be taken to achieve net zero and annual progress against these.
If a supplier is required to publish a CRP, you can find it on their individual supplier details page.
For reference, PPN 006: Taking account of Carbon Reduction Plans in the procurement of major government contracts.
Closed framework
A type of framework introduced under the Procurement Act 2023 where suppliers can only join at the start. After the initial competition:
- no new suppliers can join
- the agreement lasts for a maximum of 4 years
- for defence and utilities, they can last up to 8 years
(longer periods may be allowed in certain markets if properly justified)
Once set up, the list of suppliers stays fixed for the entire duration of the framework.
Clarification period
The formal exchange of required information between buyers, suppliers and CCS throughout the procurement process. The exchange of information is used to create a comprehensive audit trail. Required information can include:
• bid pack documents
• capability questions
• bid evaluations
Commercial Agreement Manager
A Commercial Agreement Manager (CAM) is the person who manages the commercial agreement.
Commercial agreement
Under the PCR 2015 regulations a commercial agreement refers to both a framework agreement and a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).
Under the Procurement Act 2023, a commercial agreement can refer to a closed framework, an open framework or a Dynamic Market.
Competitive dialogue
A procurement procedure which allows departments to hold dialogue with suppliers on various aspects of the procurement.
This procurement procedure does not exist under the Procurement Act 2023.
Competitive flexible procedure
A multi-stage competitive tendering procedure introduced under the Procurement Act 2023.
The option to run a competitive flexible procedure is not available under all CCS agreements, however you can use a competitive flexible procedure to buy from a Dynamic Market.
Some frameworks allow buyers to structure the award with competition process in multiple stages.
You should check the framework’s Buyer Guide for more information about how to structure your competition.
Competitive procedure with negotiation
A procurement procedure which allows departments to hold dialogue with suppliers on various aspects of the procurement.
This procurement procedure does not exist under the Procurement Act 2023.
Competition
A competitive bidding process where the buyer receives and evaluates bids from suppliers before identifying them to be a supplier.
For procurements under the Procurement Act 2023: see also award with competition.
For procurements under the PCR 2015: see further competition.
Conflicts assessment
An assessment of the conflicts and perceived, potential or actual conflicts of interest in relation to a public procurement.
Convertible contract
A contract that was not a public contract initially because it fell below the financial thresholds for public contracts. But, because of a modification that raised the contract’s value, it has become a public contract.
Concession
A type of negotiated contract that gives the supplier the right to do business in a specific way. For instance a concession might allow a company outside of the UK to do business with the UK public sector.
Contract
A legally enforceable agreement between 2 or more competent parties (usually supplier and buyer). The contract will define the goods and services that the supplier will provide and for how long.
Contract award
The point where the successful potential supplier is officially awarded the contract to supply goods and/or services to the buyer.
Contracts Finder
Contracts Finder lets you search for information about contracts worth over £12,000 (including VAT) with the government and its agencies.
Public bodies are required to publish details relating to the contacts they award in line with transparency requirements.
For more information, read Guidance on the Transparency Requirements for Publishing on Contracts Finder
Contracting process
Refers to the full process (from start to finish) of completing a tender, a direct contract award or awarding a concession. Includes all stages such as the:
• planning
• tendering information
• awards
• contracts and contract management
• contract implementation information
Contract notice
A notification to let the market know about a new procurement opportunity. See also Contracts Finder.
Under the Procurement Act 2023, a contract notice is referred to as a tender notice.
Contract termination notice
The announcement of the termination of a public procurement contract.
Under the Procurement Act 2023, all buyers must publish a contract termination notice following the termination of any public contract.
For further guidance, refer to Guidance: Contract termination notice.
Contract details notice
Under PCR2015 this is the transparency notice which states the outcome of the procurement. It includes a copy of the contract.
Under the Procurement Act 2023, all buyers must publish a contract details notice setting out that they have entered into a public contract within 30 days of having entered a contract. When a contract is above £5 million, buyers are also required to publish a copy of the contract, including 3 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
For further guidance, refer to Guidance: Contract Details Notice.
Contract change notice
The announcement of a modification to a public procurement contract.
Under the Procurement Act 2023 all buyers must publish a contract change notice before modifying a contract, unless an exemption applies. For contracts valued at over £5 million, including the value of the modification, a copy of the modified contract must also be published within 90 days of the modification.
For further guidance, refer to Guidance: Contract Change Notice.
Contract award notice
The announcement of a public procurement outcome.
Under the Procurement Act 2023, all buyers must publish a contract award notice to say they intend to award a contract to a specific supplier or suppliers before the optional standstill period. This applies to all above-threshold competitive procurements and awards without competition.
For further guidance, refer to Guidance: Contract Award Notice.
Contract award notice has replaced the award notice used under PCR 2015.