UK bid and tender terms explained

47 terms. Jump to a letter:

A

Abnormally low tender

A bid whose price looks too low to deliver the contract properly. Buyers can ask you to explain it and may reject it if the explanation is not satisfactory. How to price a public sector tender

Assessment summary

The explanation a buyer gives each bidder under the Procurement Act 2023 of how their tender was assessed, usually with scores and reasons. Assessment summaries and standstill

Award criteria

The published factors a buyer uses to score bids, usually split between quality and price, often with sub-criteria and weightings. Your answers should map clearly to each one.

C

Call-off contract

A contract awarded under a framework agreement, either directly or after a mini-competition between framework suppliers.

Carbon Reduction Plan

A document setting out an organisation's emissions, net zero commitment and reduction measures. Central government asks for one on certain larger contracts. Carbon Reduction Plans explained

Case study

A short example of similar work you have delivered, used as evidence that you can do what the buyer needs. How to write a tender case study

Central Digital Platform

The UK government's online system for procurement under the Procurement Act 2023, where suppliers register and keep core supplier information. Central Digital Platform guide

Clarification question

A question a bidder sends to the buyer during the tender period to resolve something unclear. Answers are normally shared with all bidders, so check the clarification log before you submit.

Competitive flexible procedure

A procurement procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 that lets buyers design their own stages, such as shortlisting, negotiation or presentations.

Connected person

Someone with significant influence or control over a supplier, such as a director or major shareholder. Exclusion checks can cover connected persons as well as the company.

Consortium bid

A bid made jointly by two or more organisations. Buyers usually want to know who leads, who does what and how responsibility is shared.

Contracting authority

A public body that buys goods, works or services, such as a council, NHS trust, school or government department.

Contracts Finder

The UK government website where many lower-value public sector opportunities and awarded contracts in England are published.

Cyber Essentials

A UK government-backed cyber security certification. Some public contracts, especially those handling personal data or IT systems, require it.

D

Dynamic market - formerly DPS

An open list of suppliers that buyers can invite to compete for contracts, which new suppliers can join at any time. Under the Procurement Act 2023 it replaces the dynamic purchasing system. Dynamic markets explained

E

Evaluator

The person or panel who reads and scores your response against the published criteria. They can only score what is written in the answer.

Exclusion grounds

Reasons a buyer must or may reject a supplier, such as certain offences, insolvency or poor past performance, regardless of bid quality. Exclusion grounds explained

F

Find a Tender Service - FTS

The UK government's central website for publishing higher-value public procurement notices.

Framework agreement

An agreement that sets terms for future contracts with one or more suppliers over a set period. Getting onto a framework does not guarantee work; buyers then call off or run mini-competitions. Framework application checks

I

ITT - Invitation to Tender

The document pack inviting suppliers to submit a full bid. It usually includes the specification, questions, scoring method, pricing schedule and contract terms.

K

KPI - Key Performance Indicator

A measurable target used to judge contract performance, such as response times or completion rates. Strong answers explain how you will monitor and report against them.

L

Light touch regime

Special, more flexible rules for certain services such as some health, social care and education services.

Lot

A part of a larger contract, split by area, service or value, that suppliers can bid for separately. Lots often make contracts more accessible to small businesses.

M

MAT - Most Advantageous Tender

The basis for awarding contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: the tender that scores best against the published award criteria. Most advantageous tender explained

MEAT - Most Economically Advantageous Tender

The award approach used under the previous UK regulations, balancing quality and price rather than price alone. The Procurement Act 2023 replaces it with 'most advantageous tender'. Procurement Act 2023 for small bidders

Method statement

A written explanation of how you will deliver the service or work: the steps, people, resources, controls and timescales. Method statement guide

Mini-competition

A competition run between suppliers already on a framework or dynamic market to award a specific contract.

Mobilisation

The period and plan for getting a new contract up and running, from contract award to full service start. Mobilisation plan guide

Modern slavery statement

An annual statement required from organisations above the Modern Slavery Act 2015 turnover threshold. Smaller suppliers may still be asked about their approach. Modern slavery and tenders

O

Open procedure

A single-stage procurement where any interested supplier can submit a full tender.

P

Pass/fail question

A question that is not scored but must be met, such as holding certain insurance. Failing one can exclude your whole bid.

Pipeline notice

A notice where larger buyers publish upcoming procurements, helping suppliers plan which bids to prepare for.

PPN - Procurement Policy Note

Guidance issued by the UK government on how public bodies should run procurement, for example on social value or carbon reduction.

PQQ - Pre-Qualification Questionnaire

An older term for an early-stage questionnaire used to shortlist suppliers on eligibility, finances and experience. PQQ response checks

Preliminary market engagement

Conversations a buyer has with suppliers before a procurement starts, to understand the market and shape requirements.

Procurement Act 2023

The law that reformed public procurement in the UK (excluding Scotland), applying to procurements started from 24 February 2025.

Q

Quality/price split

The weighting between quality and price scores, for example 60:40. It tells you how much your written answers matter.

S

Score descriptor

The buyer's description of what each score means, for example what earns a 5 compared with a 3. Write your answer to the top descriptor. How tenders are scored

Social value

The wider economic, social and environmental benefits a supplier commits to deliver through a contract, often scored as a separate question. Social value answers for small businesses

Specification

The buyer's description of what they want delivered. Every answer should be checked against it.

SQ - Selection Questionnaire

The standard questionnaire used to check supplier suitability on areas such as exclusion grounds, finances and past experience. Supplier questionnaire checks

Standstill period

A short pause after the buyer announces its award decision and before the contract is signed, giving unsuccessful bidders time to raise concerns.

Subcontractor

Another organisation you plan to use to deliver part of the contract. Buyers often ask who they are and how you will manage them.

T

Tender notice

The official notice that starts a procurement and tells suppliers what is being bought and how to take part.

TUPE - Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)

Rules that can transfer existing staff to a new supplier when a service changes hands. Tenders often ask how you will manage this. What to include in a TUPE answer

W

Weighting

The share of the total score given to each criterion or question. Higher-weighted questions deserve more of your time.

Word limit

The maximum length allowed for an answer. Text over the limit may be ignored by evaluators. Writing to a word limit