Public sector procurement has its own language. Suppliers entering the market for the first time encounter a dense vocabulary of notice types, framework structures, evaluation criteria, and regulatory references that experienced teams navigate daily but rarely explain.

Public sector procurement has its own language. Suppliers entering the market for the first time encounter a dense vocabulary of notice types, framework structures, evaluation criteria, and regulatory references that experienced teams navigate daily but rarely explain.

This glossary covers the terms that appear most frequently in NHS and UK public sector procurement, defined plainly and linked to further reading where relevant. It is designed as a working reference: something to check when a term appears in a tender document, a framework notice, or a commercial conversation, and something to return to as your public sector knowledge deepens.

This glossary covers the terms that appear most frequently in NHS and UK public sector procurement, defined plainly and linked to further reading where relevant. It is designed as a working reference: something to check when a term appears in a tender document, a framework notice, or a commercial conversation, and something to return to as your public sector knowledge deepens.

A

Above-threshold A contract valued above the relevant financial thresholds set by the Procurement Act 2023 — approximately £214,000 for most goods and services, £5.3 million for works, and lower thresholds for utilities and defence. A contract valued above the relevant financial thresholds set by the Procurement Act 2023 — approximately £214,000 for most goods and services, £5.3 million for works, and lower thresholds for utilities and defence. Once a contract crosses the threshold, it must be publicly advertised: the buyer is required to publish procurement notices on the Central Digital Platform, run a compliant competitive process, and publish contract award information. Above-threshold contracts cannot be awarded quietly or without a formal procurement route.

Above-threshold A contract valued above the relevant financial thresholds set by the Procurement Act 2023 — approximately £214,000 for most goods and services, £5.3 million for works, and lower thresholds for utilities and defence. A contract valued above the relevant financial thresholds set by the Procurement Act 2023 — approximately £214,000 for most goods and services, £5.3 million for works, and lower thresholds for utilities and defence. Once a contract crosses the threshold, it must be publicly advertised: the buyer is required to publish procurement notices on the Central Digital Platform, run a compliant competitive process, and publish contract award information. Above-threshold contracts cannot be awarded quietly or without a formal procurement route.

Award notice (UK6/UK7) A notice published on Find a Tender after a contract has been awarded, recording the winning supplier, contract value, term, and start and end dates. Award notices are a primary source of commercial intelligence: they tell you who holds each contract, when it was awarded, and when it expires. See our guide to finding out which NHS contracts your competitors are winning.

Award notice (UK6/UK7) A notice published on Find a Tender after a contract has been awarded, recording the winning supplier, contract value, term, and start and end dates. Award notices are a primary source of commercial intelligence: they tell you who holds each contract, when it was awarded, and when it expires. See our guide to finding out which NHS contracts your competitors are winning.

B

Below-threshold A contract valued below the financial thresholds set out above. Below-threshold contracts are subject to lighter procurement rules but must still be awarded fairly and, in many cases, published on Contracts Finder for amounts above £25,000 (English authorities), Public Contracts Scotland for amounts above £50,000 (Scottish authorities), Sell2Wales for amounts above £25,000 (Welsh authorities), and eSourcing NI for amounts above £30,000 (Northern Ireland authorities).

Below-threshold A contract valued below the financial thresholds set out above. Below-threshold contracts are subject to lighter procurement rules but must still be awarded fairly and, in many cases, published on Contracts Finder for amounts above £25,000 (English authorities), Public Contracts Scotland for amounts above £50,000 (Scottish authorities), Sell2Wales for amounts above £25,000 (Welsh authorities), and eSourcing NI for amounts above £30,000 (Northern Ireland authorities).

Board papers The documents prepared for formal governance meetings of public sector organisations, published in advance and available on the organisation's own website. Board papers regularly contain references to planned procurement activity months before any formal notice is published, making them a valuable source of pre-tender intelligence. See our guide to what public sector board papers tell suppliers.

Board papers The documents prepared for formal governance meetings of public sector organisations, published in advance and available on the organisation's own website. Board papers regularly contain references to planned procurement activity months before any formal notice is published, making them a valuable source of pre-tender intelligence. See our guide to what public sector board papers tell suppliers.

Bid/no-bid The decision process a commercial team uses to assess whether to respond to a specific procurement opportunity. A structured bid/no-bid process evaluates strategic fit, win probability, commercial viability, compliance feasibility, and bid cost before committing resources. See our guide to how to build a bid/no-bid process.

Bid/no-bid The decision process a commercial team uses to assess whether to respond to a specific procurement opportunity. A structured bid/no-bid process evaluates strategic fit, win probability, commercial viability, compliance feasibility, and bid cost before committing resources. See our guide to how to build a bid/no-bid process.

C

Call-off A contract awarded under an existing framework agreement or dynamic market without running a full procurement process. Call-offs are the mechanism through which most framework spend flows — buyers draw down from pre-competed routes rather than advertising each individual requirement. Many call-offs generate no public tender notice.

Call-off A contract awarded under an existing framework agreement or dynamic market without running a full procurement process. Call-offs are the mechanism through which most framework spend flows — buyers draw down from pre-competed routes rather than advertising each individual requirement. Many call-offs generate no public tender notice.

Central Digital Platform (CDP) The UK government's single online system for public procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, accessed via the enhanced Find a Tender service. The CDP is where all regulated procurement notices must be published, where suppliers register once and share their information across multiple bids, and where contract performance data is published under Section 70 reporting obligations.

Central Digital Platform (CDP) The UK government's single online system for public procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, accessed via the enhanced Find a Tender service. The CDP is where all regulated procurement notices must be published, where suppliers register once and share their information across multiple bids, and where contract performance data is published under Section 70 reporting obligations.

Competitive Flexible Procedure A procurement route under the Procurement Act 2023 that allows a contracting authority to design a bespoke competitive process. Buyers can choose the number of stages, assessment methods, and engagement points, provided they follow published rules and treat suppliers fairly. Replaced several older procedures including competitive dialogue.

Competitive Flexible Procedure A procurement route under the Procurement Act 2023 that allows a contracting authority to design a bespoke competitive process. Buyers can choose the number of stages, assessment methods, and engagement points, provided they follow published rules and treat suppliers fairly. Replaced several older procedures including competitive dialogue.

Contracts Finder A government website that publishes below-threshold contracts and legacy procurements from English public sector bodies. Coverage is variable. Since the Procurement Act 2023, new above-threshold notices are published on Find a Tender rather than Contracts Finder, but below-threshold English contracts above £25,000 still appear here.

Contracts Finder A government website that publishes below-threshold contracts and legacy procurements from English public sector bodies. Coverage is variable. Since the Procurement Act 2023, new above-threshold notices are published on Find a Tender rather than Contracts Finder, but below-threshold English contracts above £25,000 still appear here.

CPV code (Common Procurement Vocabulary) The standardised eight-digit classification system used in public procurement to categorise what is being bought. Every above-threshold tender notice must carry at least one CPV code. Suppliers use CPV codes to search for relevant opportunities and to analyse historical award data by category. See our guide to what CPV codes are and how suppliers use them.

CPV code (Common Procurement Vocabulary) The standardised eight-digit classification system used in public procurement to categorise what is being bought. Every above-threshold tender notice must carry at least one CPV code. Suppliers use CPV codes to search for relevant opportunities and to analyse historical award data by category. See our guide to what CPV codes are and how suppliers use them.

D

Dynamic Market A procurement tool introduced under the Procurement Act 2023 that creates a list of qualified suppliers, open to new applications at any time throughout its life, from which buyers run competitions for specific contracts. Dynamic Markets replaced Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) and can be used for all procurement types, not just commonly available goods and services.

Dynamic Market A procurement tool introduced under the Procurement Act 2023 that creates a list of qualified suppliers, open to new applications at any time throughout its life, from which buyers run competitions for specific contracts. Dynamic Markets replaced Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) and can be used for all procurement types, not just commonly available goods and services.

Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) The predecessor to Dynamic Markets under the previous Public Contracts Regulations 2015. DPS routes that were established before February 2025 may still be operational. The Spark DPS, for example, remains an active and relevant route for innovation and digital health suppliers.

Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) The predecessor to Dynamic Markets under the previous Public Contracts Regulations 2015. DPS routes that were established before February 2025 may still be operational. The Spark DPS, for example, remains an active and relevant route for innovation and digital health suppliers.

E

Evaluation criteria The published criteria against which buyer evaluators score supplier responses in a competitive procurement. Evaluation criteria typically cover quality, price, and social value, each with a specified weighting. The scoring methodology and minimum thresholds are published in the tender documents.

Evaluation criteria The published criteria against which buyer evaluators score supplier responses in a competitive procurement. Evaluation criteria typically cover quality, price, and social value, each with a specified weighting. The scoring methodology and minimum thresholds are published in the tender documents.

Evidenced spend The actual payments recorded against a contract, as opposed to the ceiling or award value. Evidenced spend appears in government platform data and is the figure used by platforms like the GCA's G-Cloud dashboard. Announced contract values are often ceiling figures; evidenced spend reflects what was actually paid.

Evidenced spend The actual payments recorded against a contract, as opposed to the ceiling or award value. Evidenced spend appears in government platform data and is the figure used by platforms like the GCA's G-Cloud dashboard. Announced contract values are often ceiling figures; evidenced spend reflects what was actually paid.

F

Find a Tender (FTS) The front end of the Central Digital Platform and the primary publication point for regulated procurement notices under the Procurement Act 2023. All above-threshold notices — from pipeline notices through to contract award and performance notices — must be published here for procurements in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Find a Tender (FTS) The front end of the Central Digital Platform and the primary publication point for regulated procurement notices under the Procurement Act 2023. All above-threshold notices — from pipeline notices through to contract award and performance notices — must be published here for procurements in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Framework agreement A pre-competed arrangement between a buyer (or group of buyers) and a set of approved suppliers, lasting typically three to four years. Framework agreements allow buyers to call off contracts without running a full procurement process each time. A significant proportion of public sector spend flows through framework call-offs rather than open tenders. See our guide to what is a framework agreement.

Framework agreement A pre-competed arrangement between a buyer (or group of buyers) and a set of approved suppliers, lasting typically three to four years. Framework agreements allow buyers to call off contracts without running a full procurement process each time. A significant proportion of public sector spend flows through framework call-offs rather than open tenders. See our guide to what is a framework agreement.

G

G-Cloud The Government Commercial Agency's framework for cloud software, hosting, and support services. G-Cloud 15 launched in August 2026 and is the largest iteration in the framework's history at £14 billion. Suppliers list services on the Digital Marketplace and buyers call off directly. See our guide to what is the G-Cloud framework.

G-Cloud The Government Commercial Agency's framework for cloud software, hosting, and support services. G-Cloud 15 launched in August 2026 and is the largest iteration in the framework's history at £14 billion. Suppliers list services on the Digital Marketplace and buyers call off directly. See our guide to what is the G-Cloud framework.

GCA (Government Commercial Agency) The successor to the Crown Commercial Service, created on 1 April 2026 when CCS and Cabinet Office commercial functions were consolidated. The GCA runs major cross-government frameworks including G-Cloud, the Digital Outcomes and Specialists frameworks, and the Technology Products and Services agreement.

GCA (Government Commercial Agency) The successor to the Crown Commercial Service, created on 1 April 2026 when CCS and Cabinet Office commercial functions were consolidated. The GCA runs major cross-government frameworks including G-Cloud, the Digital Outcomes and Specialists frameworks, and the Technology Products and Services agreement.

I

ICB (Integrated Care Board) The NHS commissioning bodies responsible for planning and funding health services across their geographic area, established in July 2022 following the abolition of Clinical Commissioning Groups.England had 42 ICBs until a first wave of mergers on 1 April 2026 reduced the total to 36. A second wave, expected to take effect in April 2027, will reduce the number further to around 26. ICBs are significant NHS procurement decision-makers.

ICB (Integrated Care Board) The NHS commissioning bodies responsible for planning and funding health services across their geographic area, established in July 2022 following the abolition of Clinical Commissioning Groups.England had 42 ICBs until a first wave of mergers on 1 April 2026 reduced the total to 36. A second wave, expected to take effect in April 2027, will reduce the number further to around 26. ICBs are significant NHS procurement decision-makers.

Incumbent The supplier currently holding a contract with a buyer. Incumbents have structural advantages in re-procurement — established relationships, institutional knowledge, and reduced transition risk — but also face scrutiny of performance and value that can create opportunities for challengers.

Incumbent The supplier currently holding a contract with a buyer. Incumbents have structural advantages in re-procurement — established relationships, institutional knowledge, and reduced transition risk — but also face scrutiny of performance and value that can create opportunities for challengers.

K

KPI (Key Performance Indicator) Measurable targets that a supplier is contractually required to track and report during contract delivery. Under the Procurement Act 2023, contracts above £5 million must carry at least three KPIs, published on the Central Digital Platform. Social value KPIs are additionally required for in-scope contracts under PPN 026.

KPI (Key Performance Indicator) Measurable targets that a supplier is contractually required to track and report during contract delivery. Under the Procurement Act 2023, contracts above £5 million must carry at least three KPIs, published on the Central Digital Platform. Social value KPIs are additionally required for in-scope contracts under PPN 026.

L

Lot A subdivision of a framework agreement or procurement covering a specific category, geography, or service type. A supplier may be admitted to one or more lots on a framework, and buyers call off from the specific lot relevant to their requirement.

Lot A subdivision of a framework agreement or procurement covering a specific category, geography, or service type. A supplier may be admitted to one or more lots on a framework, and buyers call off from the specific lot relevant to their requirement.

LPP (London Procurement Partnership) An NHS collaborative that operates clinical and digital solutions frameworks, used by NHS organisations across England. Despite its name, LPP frameworks are not limited to London-based buyers.

LPP (London Procurement Partnership) An NHS collaborative that operates clinical and digital solutions frameworks, used by NHS organisations across England. Despite its name, LPP frameworks are not limited to London-based buyers.

M

Mini-competition A further competitive process run among the suppliers admitted to a specific lot of a framework agreement or dynamic market. Rather than making a direct award, the buyer invites all eligible suppliers to submit proposals against the specific requirement.

Mini-competition A further competitive process run among the suppliers admitted to a specific lot of a framework agreement or dynamic market. Rather than making a direct award, the buyer invites all eligible suppliers to submit proposals against the specific requirement.

MoD (Ministry of Defence) One of the largest public sector buyers in the UK, with procurement activity spanning defence equipment, technology, consulting, facilities management, and professional services. The MoD spent £52.4 million on G-Cloud 14 alone.

MoD (Ministry of Defence) One of the largest public sector buyers in the UK, with procurement activity spanning defence equipment, technology, consulting, facilities management, and professional services. The MoD spent £52.4 million on G-Cloud 14 alone.

N

NHS SBS (NHS Shared Business Services) A joint venture between the Department of Health and Social Care and Sopra Steria, running frameworks across digital and IT, clinical services, corporate functions, and professional services. NHS SBS frameworks are designed specifically for NHS procurement and are widely trusted by NHS procurement teams.

NHS SBS (NHS Shared Business Services) A joint venture between the Department of Health and Social Care and Sopra Steria, running frameworks across digital and IT, clinical services, corporate functions, and professional services. NHS SBS frameworks are designed specifically for NHS procurement and are widely trusted by NHS procurement teams.

NOE CPC (North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative) A regional NHS procurement hub running frameworks for NHS trusts in the north of England. Along with HealthTrust Europe and other regional hubs, NOE CPC operates category-specific frameworks that carry significant regional spend.

NOE CPC (North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative) A regional NHS procurement hub running frameworks for NHS trusts in the north of England. Along with HealthTrust Europe and other regional hubs, NOE CPC operates category-specific frameworks that carry significant regional spend.

O

Open framework A new framework type introduced under the Procurement Act 2023, which can reopen to new suppliers at defined points — typically 18 and 24 months after launch — rather than closing to new entrants at establishment. G-Cloud 15 operates as an open framework.

Open framework A new framework type introduced under the Procurement Act 2023, which can reopen to new suppliers at defined points — typically 18 and 24 months after launch — rather than closing to new entrants at establishment. G-Cloud 15 operates as an open framework.

P

Pipeline notice (UK1) A forward-looking notice published by NHS and public sector buyers describing planned procurements, typically up to 18 months in advance. Buyers planning contracts above £2 million are required to publish pipeline notices. They are the earliest formal signal in the Procurement Act's notice sequence and appear on Find a Tender.

Pipeline notice (UK1) A forward-looking notice published by NHS and public sector buyers describing planned procurements, typically up to 18 months in advance. Buyers planning contracts above £2 million are required to publish pipeline notices. They are the earliest formal signal in the Procurement Act's notice sequence and appear on Find a Tender.

Planned procurement notice (UK3) A notice published ahead of a specific forthcoming procurement, giving suppliers advance notice to prepare. Published after pipeline notices but before the formal tender.

Planned procurement notice (UK3) A notice published ahead of a specific forthcoming procurement, giving suppliers advance notice to prepare. Published after pipeline notices but before the formal tender.

Preliminary market engagement (UK2) A formal invitation, published by a buyer before a specification is written, for suppliers to contribute to requirements development. Responding to a UK2 notice is one of the highest-leverage commercial activities available to a supplier — it is the point at which the specification is being shaped.

Preliminary market engagement (UK2) A formal invitation, published by a buyer before a specification is written, for suppliers to contribute to requirements development. Responding to a UK2 notice is one of the highest-leverage commercial activities available to a supplier — it is the point at which the specification is being shaped.

PPN (Procurement Policy Note) Cabinet Office policy guidance that sets out how public sector buyers should approach specific aspects of procurement. PPNs are not statutory instruments but carry significant weight in how buyers run procurements. PPN 026, published in August 2026, sets the new Social Value Model for central government contracts.

PPN (Procurement Policy Note) Cabinet Office policy guidance that sets out how public sector buyers should approach specific aspects of procurement. PPNs are not statutory instruments but carry significant weight in how buyers run procurements. PPN 026, published in August 2026, sets the new Social Value Model for central government contracts.

Pre-tender intelligence The practice of identifying and acting on procurement signals before a formal tender notice is published. Pre-tender intelligence draws on pipeline notices, preliminary market engagement notices, board papers, contract expiry data, and spend transparency data to give commercial teams earlier visibility of buyer intentions. See our full guide to what is pre-tender intelligence.

Pre-tender intelligence The practice of identifying and acting on procurement signals before a formal tender notice is published. Pre-tender intelligence draws on pipeline notices, preliminary market engagement notices, board papers, contract expiry data, and spend transparency data to give commercial teams earlier visibility of buyer intentions. See our full guide to what is pre-tender intelligence.

S

Section 70 reporting A requirement under the Procurement Act 2023, in force from April 2026, for contracting authorities to publish quarterly payment data for payments above £30,000 made under public contracts on the Central Digital Platform. Section 70 data adds a new layer of spend transparency for suppliers tracking buyer behaviour.

Section 70 reporting A requirement under the Procurement Act 2023, in force from April 2026, for contracting authorities to publish quarterly payment data for payments above £30,000 made under public contracts on the Central Digital Platform. Section 70 data adds a new layer of spend transparency for suppliers tracking buyer behaviour.

Social value The broader economic, social, and environmental benefits that a supplier commits to delivering through contract performance, beyond the core contract scope. Under PPN 026, social value must carry a minimum 10% weighting for central government contracts above £1 million and 20% for contracts above £5 million, from January 2027. Commitments become published KPIs and can affect future procurement eligibility if not delivered.

Social value The broader economic, social, and environmental benefits that a supplier commits to delivering through contract performance, beyond the core contract scope. Under PPN 026, social value must carry a minimum 10% weighting for central government contracts above £1 million and 20% for contracts above £5 million, from January 2027. Commitments become published KPIs and can affect future procurement eligibility if not delivered.

Spend transparency data The invoice-level payment data that NHS trusts, ICBs, local authorities, and other public bodies publish monthly or quarterly under government transparency obligations. NHS organisations publish payments above £25,000 monthly. This data shows what buyers are actually paying and to whom, supplementing formal contract award data. See our guide to what NHS spend data tells you about where to sell next.

Spend transparency data The invoice-level payment data that NHS trusts, ICBs, local authorities, and other public bodies publish monthly or quarterly under government transparency obligations. NHS organisations publish payments above £25,000 monthly. This data shows what buyers are actually paying and to whom, supplementing formal contract award data. See our guide to what NHS spend data tells you about where to sell next.

T

Threshold The financial value above which the full requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 apply. The main threshold for goods and services is approximately £214,000. Above this value, contracts must be procured under the Act's procedures and notices published on the Central Digital Platform.

Threshold The financial value above which the full requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 apply. The main threshold for goods and services is approximately £214,000. Above this value, contracts must be procured under the Act's procedures and notices published on the Central Digital Platform.

Transparency notice The collective term for the disclosure obligations under the Procurement Act 2023, covering the full lifecycle of a procurement from pipeline to contract termination.

Transparency notice The collective term for the disclosure obligations under the Procurement Act 2023, covering the full lifecycle of a procurement from pipeline to contract termination.

W

Whitespace In a procurement intelligence context, whitespace describes the buyers, geographies, or categories where there is spend potential but limited or no competitor coverage — gaps in the competitive landscape that represent commercial opportunity. See our guide to how to do whitespace analysis in UK public sector procurement.

Whitespace In a procurement intelligence context, whitespace describes the buyers, geographies, or categories where there is spend potential but limited or no competitor coverage — gaps in the competitive landscape that represent commercial opportunity. See our guide to how to do whitespace analysis in UK public sector procurement.

Arcamus structures NHS and public sector procurement data by buyer, category, and framework — making it easier to navigate the terms in this glossary in the context of real commercial opportunities. See what the data shows for your market.

Arcamus structures NHS and public sector procurement data by buyer, category, and framework — making it easier to navigate the terms in this glossary in the context of real commercial opportunities. See what the data shows for your market.