Open frameworks — frameworks that allow new suppliers to join at fixed reopening points (typically every 4-8 years), so SMEs don't have to wait for full re-procurement to access the deal.
Centralised debarment list — a Cabinet Office-maintained list of excluded suppliers; appearing on it triggers mandatory exclusion from all UK public-sector procurement.
Conditional participation — contracting authorities can restrict bidder participation by reference to specific qualifications or experience without running a full pre-qualification stage.
Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) — replaces "Most Economically Advantageous Tender" (MEAT) as the award criterion. Functionally similar but signals broader value beyond pure economics.
Required Tender Notice transparency — buyers must publish notices at planning, tender, award, contract performance and modification stages.

What's gone

Several PCR 2015 concepts are removed or fundamentally restructured:

OJEU — already gone with Brexit (replaced by Find a Tender Service in 2021), but the Act formalises this.
Selection Questionnaire (SQ) as a separate stage — the Act allows lighter-touch supplier assessment as part of the tender process rather than always requiring a pre-qualification stage.
The previous "Light Touch Regime" for social and health services — replaced by similar but rebranded provisions.

What's the same (mostly)

These familiar concepts survive into the new Act with minor changes:

Procurement thresholds — broadly the same financial thresholds for triggering above-threshold procedures (~£138,760 for services/supplies).
Standstill periods — 10-day standstill between award decision notification and contract signature remains.
Standard tender procedures — open, restricted, competitive dialogue all survive with minor procedural tweaks.
Remedies regime — bid challenges still go to the High Court; the underlying legal protections are similar.

Procurement Act 2023 changes — frequently asked questions

What's the difference between MEAT and MAT?

MAT (Most Advantageous Tender) is the new term — the substantive change is that buyers can now award on social value, environmental, or innovation grounds without being constrained by the "economic" framing of MEAT. Practically: same scoring approach, broader explicit basis.

Do framework agreements need to be re-procured under the new Act?

No — existing frameworks continue under the regulations they were procured under. New frameworks awarded after 24 February 2025 must use the Act's rules.

How does the new debarment list work?

Cabinet Office maintains a central list of debarred suppliers. Inclusion is appealable but, once final, triggers mandatory exclusion from all UK public-sector procurement for a defined period. Grounds for inclusion include serious past-performance failures, fraud, and other Schedule 7 exclusion criteria.

What is "conditional participation"?

Contracting authorities can require bidders to meet specific qualifications or experience criteria (e.g., minimum financial standing, specific certifications) without running a separate pre-qualification stage. Reduces SQ-style admin overhead for both sides.

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What's new

The Act introduces several entirely new concepts not present in PCR 2015:

Open frameworks — frameworks that allow new suppliers to join at fixed reopening points (typically every 4-8 years), so SMEs don't have to wait for full re-procurement to access the deal.

Centralised debarment list — a Cabinet Office-maintained list of excluded suppliers; appearing on it triggers mandatory exclusion from all UK public-sector procurement.

Conditional participation — contracting authorities can restrict bidder participation by reference to specific qualifications or experience without running a full pre-qualification stage.

Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) — replaces "Most Economically Advantageous Tender" (MEAT) as the award criterion. Functionally similar but signals broader value beyond pure economics.

Required Tender Notice transparency — buyers must publish notices at planning, tender, award, contract performance and modification stages.

What's gone

Several PCR 2015 concepts are removed or fundamentally restructured:

OJEU — already gone with Brexit (replaced by Find a Tender Service in 2021), but the Act formalises this.

Selection Questionnaire (SQ) as a separate stage — the Act allows lighter-touch supplier assessment as part of the tender process rather than always requiring a pre-qualification stage.

The previous "Light Touch Regime" for social and health services — replaced by similar but rebranded provisions.

What's the same (mostly)

These familiar concepts survive into the new Act with minor changes:

Procurement thresholds — broadly the same financial thresholds for triggering above-threshold procedures (~£138,760 for services/supplies).

Standstill periods — 10-day standstill between award decision notification and contract signature remains.

Standard tender procedures — open, restricted, competitive dialogue all survive with minor procedural tweaks.

Remedies regime — bid challenges still go to the High Court; the underlying legal protections are similar.

Procurement Act 2023 changes — frequently asked questions

What's the difference between MEAT and MAT?

Do framework agreements need to be re-procured under the new Act?

No — existing frameworks continue under the regulations they were procured under. New frameworks awarded after 24 February 2025 must use the Act's rules.

How does the new debarment list work?

What is "conditional participation"?

Procurement Act 2023 — what's actually changed vs the old regulations?

Procurement Act 2023 changes closing soon

Grafton House Window Cleaning

Framework Agreement for the Provision of Public Health Behavioural Change Marketing

NHS Healthier You

Carnarvon Terrace Redevelopment Project

Consultant Surveying Services for Disabled Adaptation Works

NORTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL - PROVISION OF NICOTINE FREE MEDICINES FOR THE COUNCIL STOP SMOKING SERVICES

What's new

What's gone

What's the same (mostly)

Procurement Act 2023 changes — frequently asked questions

Stop missing tenders you could have won

Procurement Act 2023 — what's actually changed vs the old regulations?

Procurement Act 2023 changes closing soon

Grafton House Window Cleaning

Framework Agreement for the Provision of Public Health Behavioural Change Marketing

NHS Healthier You

Carnarvon Terrace Redevelopment Project

Consultant Surveying Services for Disabled Adaptation Works

NORTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL - PROVISION OF NICOTINE FREE MEDICINES FOR THE COUNCIL STOP SMOKING SERVICES

What's new

What's gone

What's the same (mostly)

Procurement Act 2023 changes — frequently asked questions

Stop missing tenders you could have won