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The Procurement Act 2023 Explained for Training Providers

Rules and regulations · Updated 1 October 2026

The biggest overhaul of UK public procurement in a generation went live on 24 February 2025, when the Procurement Act 2023 came into force. If you are a training or L&D provider selling to councils, NHS trusts, colleges or government, it changes where you find opportunities, how frameworks and DPSs work, and what you can expect after you bid.

This is a plain-English Procurement Act 2023 summary for training providers: what the Act is, who it applies to, and the key changes that affect how you win training work.

At a glance

  • The Procurement Act 2023 came into force on 24 February 2025.
  • It replaced the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 and the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016.
  • Procurements that started before 24 February 2025 continue under the old rules, so existing frameworks and DPSs carry on.
  • Notices now go through Find a Tender, the Central Digital Platform, where you register once.
  • It does not apply to devolved Scottish authorities, which keep their own rules.

What is the Procurement Act 2023?

The Act is a single rulebook for how most UK public bodies buy goods and services, training included. It is the centrepiece of the Transforming Public Procurement programme, meant to make buying simpler, more transparent and more open to smaller suppliers.

One transitional rule matters a lot to training providers. Any procurement already underway before 24 February 2025 continues under the old regulations, and so do the frameworks and DPSs set up under them. For a while you will work under both systems at once.

Who does it apply to?

Procurement is a devolved matter, so the picture differs:

  • England and UK-wide/central government bodies follow the Act.
  • Wales: devolved Welsh authorities are regulated by the Act, with some differences.
  • Northern Ireland: transferred NI authorities are regulated by the Act, again with some differences.
  • Scotland: devolved Scottish authorities are excluded and follow Scottish procurement legislation.

Procurement Act 2023 key changes for training providers

Notices on the Central Digital Platform

Under the Act, notices are published through an enhanced Find a Tender service, the Central Digital Platform. It is free. You register your organisation once and store your core details to reuse across bids; if you used the old Find a Tender, you need to re-register. Below-threshold tender notices now go there too.

The notice types are worth learning, because the early ones give you warning. YPO announced its planned Training Solutions Framework through a preliminary market engagement notice, well before publishing any tender. (See the Central Digital Platform and contract notices, PINs and early market engagement.)

Training is a light touch service

Education and training services, including CPV 80500000 "Training services", are light touch services under the Procurement Regulations 2024. From 1 January 2026, the threshold for light touch contracts is £663,540 including VAT, and buyers have more freedom in how they design the competition. Expect training procurements to vary more in shape than you might be used to, and read every notice closely.

Dynamic markets replace DPSs

The Act has no dynamic purchasing system. New procurements use dynamic markets, which must stay open for new suppliers to join at any time. Existing DPSs, including several of the best routes for training providers such as the Hull learning and training DPS, keep running until their end date or 23 February 2029, whichever comes first. (See dynamic purchasing systems and dynamic markets.)

Open frameworks

A closed framework still shuts new providers out for its whole term. The Act adds open frameworks, which must reopen at least once in their first three years and at least every five years after, up to eight years in total. Each reopening is a fresh chance to get on. GCA's planned Learning and Development 2 agreement may be let as one. (See what is a framework agreement and our frameworks overview.)

30-day payment terms down the supply chain

The Act strengthens prompt payment throughout the supply chain, so 30-day payment terms apply to a broader range of public contracts. For a small training provider, predictable payment matters almost as much as winning the work.

Feedback and other changes

  • Assessment summaries. Buyers must give bidders an assessment of their final tenders, so you can see how your bid scored.
  • The competitive flexible procedure lets buyers design their own process, alongside a standard open procedure.
  • The Procurement Review Unit oversees how the rules are applied.

What you should do now

  • Register on Find a Tender when you are ready to bid, and set alerts for the training CPV codes.
  • Apply to the DPSs that suit you while they are still open, and watch for the dynamic markets and frameworks that replace them.
  • Keep your core supplier details current on the Central Digital Platform.
  • Use the assessment summaries you receive to improve the next bid.

Our guide to training tenders in the UK shows where to start.

Frequently asked questions

When did the Procurement Act 2023 come into force?

On 24 February 2025. Procurements started before then, and frameworks and DPSs set up under the old rules, continue under the previous regulations.

Does the Procurement Act replace the Public Contracts Regulations 2015?

Yes. It replaced the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 and the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 for procurements started on or after 24 February 2025.

What are the Procurement Act 2023 key changes for training providers?

Notices on the Central Digital Platform, dynamic markets in place of DPSs, open frameworks that reopen to new providers, 30-day payment terms through the supply chain and assessment summaries after you bid.

Does the Procurement Act apply in Scotland?

No. Devolved Scottish authorities are excluded and follow Scottish procurement legislation. It applies, with some differences, to Welsh and Northern Irish authorities.

Do I have to register on the Central Digital Platform?

You need to register to bid. Registration on Find a Tender is free, and you only need to do it when you want to submit a bid.

Sources

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