Open Procedure

A single-stage procurement procedure where any interested supplier can submit a tender in response to a contract notice, with no pre-qualification phase.

How it works

The Open Procedure is the most straightforward procurement route under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Contracting authorities publish a contract notice in Find a Tender (previously OJEU), and any supplier meeting the basic requirements can submit a full tender by the deadline.

Unlike other procedures, there is no pre-qualification or shortlisting stage. All tenders received are evaluated simultaneously against the published award criteria. The authority must accept all compliant bids and cannot limit the number of participants.

The minimum time limit for receiving tenders is 35 days from the date the contract notice is sent for publication, though this can be reduced to 15 days in certain circumstances where a prior information notice was published.

Key requirements

Suppliers must demonstrate they meet the selection criteria (economic standing, technical capability, etc.) alongside their technical and commercial proposals. The authority evaluates all submissions and awards the contract to the tender offering the best value for money based on the pre-published criteria.

When to use

The Open Procedure works best for straightforward procurements where requirements are clearly defined and the market is well-established. It maximises competition and transparency but can result in high bid costs for both suppliers and the buying organisation when many tenders are received.

It's particularly suitable for standard goods and services where detailed dialogue isn't needed to develop solutions, and where the authority wants to encourage maximum participation from the supply market.