Transparency in Procurement
Information for Customers
Government Procurement Service ensures that its procurement arrangements fully support the delivery of the Government’s transparency policies.
We now publish contract documents for all framework agreements awarded since 1 January 2011 (1 July 2010 for ICT) on Contracts Finder (external website). The terms of these framework agreements enable customers to publish the text of call-off contracts; subject to any redactions made at the discretion of the customer.
To find Government Procurement Service information on Contracts Finder:
1) On the Contracts Finder home page, enter ‘Government Procurement Service’ at ‘SEARCH FOR CONTRACTS’, then click ‘Search >’.
2) Refine the search by clicking on the ‘this exact phrase’ button, then click ‘Search >’ again.
3) The search will now show only live Government Procurement Service opportunities. To also show all historic information un-tick the “show only live opportunities” filter, then tick the “include older contracts filter”, then click ‘Search >’ again.
For information on publishing call-off contracts under earlier framework agreements, please see customer guidance below.
Customers should be aware that the requirement to publish tender documentation includes Invitation to Quote (ITQ) and other such documents issued to suppliers when running a further competition under a framework agreement.
We have developed guidance which can be accessed here to help customers comply with the requirements of the transparency policy.
Cabinet Office Guidance on Transparency is available here (external website). In addition, Transparency information for Local Government can also be found on the LG Improvement and Development website (external website).
Information for Suppliers
Suppliers and other organisations looking to compete for new Government Procurement Service contracts (including framework agreements) should be aware that if they are awarded a contract, the resulting contract document will be published. In addition, call-off contracts formed between customers and suppliers, under a Government Procurement Service Framework Agreement, will be published. In some circumstances, limited redactions might be made to the published contracts, in order to comply with existing law and for the protection of national security. However, the decision on whether and what to redact will be at the discretion of Government Procurement Service or the relevant customer authority.
More detailed supplier guidance on Transparency can be downloaded here.