If you are a training or L&D provider looking for a way into public sector work, the dynamic purchasing system is the route most worth understanding. Unlike most frameworks, a DPS lets you apply when you are ready rather than waiting years for a window to open.
This guide covers the DPS meaning, the dynamic market that replaced it, how both differ from a framework, and why so many training routes are DPSs.
At a glance
- A dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is a list of qualified providers that buyers award contracts from, and it is open for new providers to join throughout its life.
- The Procurement Act 2023 has no DPS. Procurements started under it use the dynamic market instead.
- Existing DPSs set up under the old rules keep running, but none can last beyond 23 February 2029.
What is a dynamic purchasing system?
A DPS is an electronic list of providers who have met set criteria for a category of work, such as learning and training. When a buyer has a need, it runs a quick competition among the providers on the list rather than a full procurement.
The "dynamic" part is that the list stays open. A training provider who meets the criteria can apply to join at any point during its life. That makes DPS procurement friendlier to newer providers than a closed framework.
What is a dynamic market? DPS vs dynamic market
The Procurement Act 2023, live from 24 February 2025, replaced the DPS with the dynamic market: a list of qualified suppliers who are eligible to take part in future procurements. It must remain open to new suppliers to join at any time, so the main advantage of the old DPS carries over.
The differences are mostly in the machinery. A dynamic market can be split into parts, so you qualify only for the categories you deliver; it is announced through its own notices on the Central Digital Platform; and buyers award contracts under it using the Act's competitive flexible procedure.
Dynamic purchasing system vs framework
Both let buyers award work to pre-approved providers. They differ on who can join, and when:
- DPS or dynamic market: open continuously; you can apply at any time during its life.
- Closed framework: a fixed list. Once it is awarded, no new providers can join until it is re-let.
- Open framework (new under the Act): reopens at set points, at least once in its first three years, but it is not continuously open.
So if you missed a closed framework, a DPS or dynamic market is often the route that still lets you in. (See what is a framework agreement.)
Joining costs nothing
Under the Act, a dynamic market cannot charge you for membership. A charge can only fall on a provider that has been awarded a contract through it, and it must be set out when the market is established.
The four notices to watch for
Dynamic markets are announced through their own notices on the Central Digital Platform:
- Dynamic market intention notice: published before the market is set up, with what it covers and the conditions for membership. Your early warning.
- Dynamic market establishment notice: published once it exists, listing the providers admitted.
- Dynamic market modification notice: records providers added or removed, and other changes.
- Dynamic market cessation notice: announces that it is closing.
What happens to existing DPSs?
DPSs set up under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 run on for their stated term. They could only be extended in the first twelve months after the Act came in, and every one must end by 23 February 2029 at the latest.
Why DPSs matter to training providers
Because procurements started under the Act cannot use a DPS, every DPS you can apply to today was set up under the old rules, and several are among the best routes into public sector training:
- The Hull learning and training DPS and the Sunderland public health training DPS are council DPSs that stay open to new applications through their term.
- The Birmingham apprenticeship DPS and the Warrington apprenticeship DPS buy apprenticeship delivery, but only from providers already on the apprenticeship provider register.
- YPO's current training agreement, 000999, is a DPS that YPO has extended to 24 February 2029, and YPO has announced a successor framework. See the YPO training framework.
- Nationally, the government's Learning and Training Services DPS (RM6219) runs to 27 October 2028. See Crown Commercial Service for training providers.
Two practical points follow. You can apply when your insurance, policies and evidence are ready, rather than when a window happens to open. And these DPSs have end dates: their replacements may be dynamic markets or frameworks (YPO's announced successor is a framework), so joining now puts you in front of the buyer before the replacement is let. Our frameworks overview shows which of the six we focus on are open.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dynamic purchasing system?
An electronic list of qualified providers, open to new providers throughout its life, that buyers award contracts from through a quick competition.
What does DPS mean in procurement?
DPS stands for dynamic purchasing system. For a training provider, it means a buyer's approved list that you can apply to join at any time while it is running.
Are DPSs still used under the Procurement Act 2023?
Existing ones are. Procurements started under the Act use dynamic markets instead. Every DPS set up under the old rules must end by 23 February 2029.
What is the difference between a dynamic purchasing system and a framework?
A DPS or dynamic market stays open for providers to join at any time. A closed framework is a fixed list that new providers cannot join once it is live.
Can I join after the buyer has started a competition?
Under a dynamic market, yes, provided the buyer has enough time to consider your application before the deadline for that competition. Applications have to be accepted throughout the market's life.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Guidance: dynamic markets
- GOV.UK — Guidance: transitional and saving arrangements
- legislation.gov.uk — Procurement Act 2023, contents (ss.35–40)
- Find a Tender — YPO 000999 Training Solutions, notice of changes
- GCA — Learning and Training Services DPS (RM6219)