PPN 07/21 was published in June, and provides consolidated guidance to public bodies on the publishing requirements for contract opportunities and contract awards under the PCR 2015.
Part 1 on PPN 07/21 replaces PPN 07/16 and provides guidance on publishing information about opportunities and contract awards over certain contact value limits on Contracts Finder. Part 2 replaces previous guidance on the publication of central government tenders and contracts and applies to central government authorities. This article will focus on Part 1, although more information on Part 2 can be found in the full PPN 07/21.
Part 1 applies to all in-scope organisations, which includes all contracting authorities across the public sector, except:
- contracting authorities whose functions are devolved or mainly devolved functions of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland;
- maintained schools, academies and sixth form colleges and;
- procurements of health care services for the purposes of the NHS.
In-scope organisations should apply the relevant provisions of PPN 07/21 immediately.
Key reminders for public bodies - publishing contract opportunities
- The majority of above-threshold contract opportunities must be advertised on Find a Tender (FTS) and on Contracts Finder.
- Notices must be published on FTS before being published on Contracts finder or other platforms.
- Below threshold opportunities should be published on Contracts Finder unless the contract value
- is below £10,000.00 (excl. VAT) for central government authorities; or
- is below £25,000.00 (excl. VAT) for sub-central authorities and NHS Trusts.
In-scope organisations should carefully consider whether an opportunity needs to be advertised, consider whether there is a cross-border interest, and document any decisions in relation to advertising.
- If a below threshold opportunity is advertised on other portals or media, it must also be published on Contracts Finder within 24 hours of when it was first advertised.
- If an above threshold opportunity is advertised on FTS, it must also be published on Contracts Finder within 24 hours of when the in-scope organisation was entitled to publish it at a national level.
- There is no delay in publication of notices to FTS but notices are not automatically published to both FTS and Contracts Finder (and must be published on FTS first).
- As a minimum in-scope organisations should include how, when by and to whom an interested supplier should respond to an opportunity, along with appropriate contact details, and any requirements for participating in the procurement.
Key reminders for public bodies - publishing contract opportunities
- As a minimum in-scope organisations must publish the following to Contracts Finder:
- the full company name of the winning contractor;
- the date on which the contract was entered into (award date);
- the total value of the contract in pounds sterling; and
- an indication of whether the contractor is an SME or a VCSE.
- Free access should be given to any relevant procurement documents and contract documents.
- For sub-central contracting authorities, information in respect of the award of a contract must be published on Contracts Finder within 90 days after the date on which the contract was signed.
- Information should be presented in a consistent manner across all platforms.
For further details on PPN 07/21 and its application, or any other public sector or procurement queries, please contact our Public Sector team who will be more than happy to assist you.
