For suppliers, a dynamic purchasing system, or DPS, represents one of the most accessible entry points into public procurement. The system is rather flexible, without shortlists or a limited number of participants, and with ongoing application periods, being designed to encourage more suppliers to participate, thus stimulating market dynamics.
But there's a catch: starting February 24, 2025, in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the DPS was replaced by another system, so no new DPS can be created, and every existing one must expire by 23 February 2029. In Ireland and the EU, DPSs still run unaffected.
In our guide, we will explain what a DPS is, how it compares with a framework agreement, and how to apply.
What is a Dynamic Purchasing System?
A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) refers to an online system that public sector organisations can use to purchase commonly used goods, services, or works. This electronic list of pre-qualified suppliers offers buyers a fast, flexible way to find the suppliers they need and make purchases.
Core characteristics of a DPS:
- Permanent availability: New suppliers are free to submit an application to become part of the system at any time during its life.
- Exclusive digitalization: All of its stages must be carried out digitally.
- Category-based: Buyers categorize the DPS into lots, each covering a specific sort of good or service.
- Unlimited number of suppliers.
- No guarantee of contract: Being on a DPS provides you the right to bid, but not a promise of contracts.
- It’s not restricted to a 4-year lifespan like a framework agreement.
DPS vs. Framework Contracts
While a DPS resembles a framework, it is different because of its permanent openness, allowing suppliers to join on a rolling basis
Additionally, when it comes to a framework, once awarded, the list of suppliers is fixed for the entire duration (usually up to four years under older rules, but some newer “open frameworks” under the UK Procurement Act 2023 allow limited reopening). Thus, new suppliers generally cannot join until the framework is re-tendered.
In contrast, a DPS remains open, making it possible for new suppliers to join. This means that once the system is operational, public agencies (buyers) can access new market entrants, emerging technologies, and services, therefore boosting competition and diversifying the supply..
This is why, according to UK’s Government Commercial Agency, DPSs can be particularly useful in industries where changes occur extremely fast, such as:
- artificial intelligence (AI).
- technology.
- energy.
DPS legal basis across jurisdictions
The legal basis behind a DPS depends on where you're bidding.
When it comes to England, Wales and Northern Ireland, DPSs are governed by Regulation 34 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015).
In Scotland, DPSs are guided by Regulation 35 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Across Ireland and the wider EU, DPSs are governed by Article 34 of EU Directive 2014/24/EU.
One can purchase virtually anything via a DPS.
DPSs are the best choice for public bodies and organisations seeking innovative solutions in new and developing markets or conventional goods and services, like office supplies, IT equipment, cybersecurity services, repair services, skills training, market research, and much more.
How a Dynamic Purchasing System Works
For suppliers, participating in a DPS involves two stages: joining the approved list and competing for actual contracts.
Stage 1: Joining the DPS
During the first stage, suppliers that meet the stipulated criteria apply to join a DPS.
- The buyer publishes a notice and gives suppliers at least 30 days to apply. The buyer then checks whether the suppliers meet the required criteria.
- After the first 30 days, the DPS stays open throughout its lifetime. So, a supplier can either apply when the DPS starts or join much later.
- If a supplier is rejected, they can apply again later.
- Entry is pass/fail against fixed selection criteria.
- If you meet the requirements, you are admitted.
- If you do not meet them, you are rejected.
- There is no limit on how many suppliers can join. If 100 suppliers meet the requirements, all 100 can be admitted.
- The buyer must evaluate your application within 10 working days (extendable to 15 days in justified cases).
A DPS can be divided into categories, or lots (by product type, contract size, region, etc.). Your organization must be eligible for the categories that correspond with what you actually deliver.
Stage 2: Competing for contracts
During the second stage of a DPS, the buyer selects suitable suppliers from the approved supplier list.
As soon as the buyer has a contract to award, they invite every supplier approved for the relevant category.
The contract is awarded to whoever submits the best tender based on the stipulated award criteria.
The process works in the following way:
- The buyer knows what they need and searches for suppliers registered in the DPS.
- The buyer selects suitable suppliers.
- The selected suppliers are invited to submit bids for the specific contract.
- The buyer evaluates the bids and awards the contract by selecting the winning bid.
DPS rules at a glance (England, Wales, and Northern Ireland PCR 2015, regulation 34)
Dynamic Purchasing System vs Framework vs Dynamic market
Sometimes suppliers may confuse three procurement systems that feature certain similarities:
DPS (Dynamic Purchasing System), framework agreement, and a dynamic market under the Procurement Act 2023.
Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPSs) and Dynamic Markets
Under the Procurement Act 2023 dynamic markets have replaced dynamic purchasing systems. Still, many existing DPSs established before 2025 under the previous rules can continue to operate during the transition period until 23 February 2029.
The main difference between DPS and the new dynamic market system is that DPS was used for commonly purchased goods. The dynamic markets system can be set up for all kinds of goods, services or work (with some exceptions).
At the same time, DPSs remain in use in many other jurisdictions, including EU public procurement.
Is the dynamic purchasing system still used? Status in 2026
The relevance of a dynamic purchasing system is totally dependent on where your company is bidding.
England, Wales, Northern Ireland
Date: 24 February 2025
Status: Legacy only - no new DPS after 24 February 2025; existing DPS must expire by 23 February 2029 (Dynamic markets system is available under the Procurement Act 2023 instead)
Scotland
Status: Live - Procurement Act 2023 does not apply; DPS continue under devolved Scottish rules
Ireland
Status: Live - DPSs continue under Directive 2014/24/EU
EU (wider)
Date: 9 September 2026
Status: Live - reform proposed 9 September 2026, not yet in force
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Since the Procurement Act 2023 has taken effect on February 24, 2025, no contracting authority in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland is able to set up a new DPS, with the dynamic markets system having taken over that role.
However, existing DPSs set up under PCR 2015 are still valid until their set-up end date or February 23, 2029, whichever comes first.
According to the transitional arrangements, a buyer had the possibility to extend a legacy DPS's end date, but that possibility came to an end on February 23, 2026, and from then on no further extensions were possible.
Scotland
The new English law doesn't apply here, and thus Scotland keeps using DPSs as normal, with no closing date and no changes.
Ireland and the EU
DPSs are still fully used in Ireland and the rest of the EU, under their own existing rule (Article 34 of the Directive 2014/24/EU ).
But change might be coming. In September 2026, the EU proposed a new law that would eventually replace DPSs with something called a "dynamic procedure." Currently, this modification remains a legislative proposal, meaning that in order for any changes to occur, it needs to go through the full EU lawmaking process.
How to Join a Dynamic Purchasing System: Six Steps for Suppliers
According to the Mercell tendering and bidding platform, there are four steps worth noting when considering joining a DPS:
Step 1. Find the Right DPS
Search for DPS systems in your sector and region using a dedicated platform like Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland, eTenders (Ireland), TED (EU-wide), or Tenderwell.com, which pulls DPS and dynamic market notices together across all of these (you will find a detailed description below).
Step 2. Review the Qualification Criteria
To join a DPS, suppliers complete the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) or Single Procurement Document (SPD). This form sets out the exact requirements you need to meet.
In the UK, after Brexit, the official name became the Standard Selection Questionnaire.
Step 3. Apply Online
Submit your application via the relevant eTendering portal, and make sure the application:
Does not miss any attachments (otherwise you’re automatically rejected).
Is accurate (wrong information can lead to a permanent ban).
Is up to date (include your latest accounts, certificates, and insurance documents).
Step 4. Stay Qualified
As soon as you are accepted, it’s crucial that you keep your qualification documents current. For instance, if an insurance certificate or accreditation is no longer valid, there’s a high chance you’ll be suspended.
Create calendar reminders for all renewals, thus being always prepared to accept public contracts in the long run.
Where to find DPS and dynamic market opportunities?
There are standard official portals where you may discover DPS and dynamic market notices. These include:
- Find a Tender (find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search) - the UK’s central digital platform. It covers above-threshold notices for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (and Scottish above-threshold notices), and many below-threshold opportunities. It is the main place to find frameworks, dynamic markets, and dynamic purchasing systems.
- Contracts Finder (gov.uk/contracts-finder) – still useful for some lower-value English opportunities (contracts exceeding £12,000 with the government and its agencies), although most new below-threshold notices now appear on Find a Tender. The portal itself notes: “To find and apply for high-value contracts in the UK (usually above £139,688 including VAT) use the Find a Tender service instead.”
- Public Contracts Scotland (publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk) - the main portal for Scottish public-sector notices.
- Sell2Wales (sell2wales.gov.wales) – the official portal for Welsh public-sector opportunities.
- eTendersNI (etendersni.gov.uk/epps/home.do) – the official portal for Northern Ireland.
- eTenders (etenders.gov.ie/epps/home.do) – Ireland’s national public procurement portal.
- TED (ted.europa.eu) – the EU-wide official journal for above-threshold notices across the EU/EEA (UK notices no longer appear here).
You are free to check each of these portals independently. But prepare to spend lots of time, especially if you look forward to tracking more than one sector or region.
On the Tenderwell.com platform, you can search "dynamic purchasing system" or "dynamic market" for your sector and see all the live opportunities in one place.
You can also set up a saved search for "dynamic purchasing system" and "dynamic market" in your sector and region, so new call-offs show up as they're published.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between a DPS and a Framework Contract?
A Framework has a closed list of suppliers set at the beginning of the procedure, with limited exceptions for open frameworks. A DPS, in contrast, stays open throughout its life, and any supplier that meets the selection criteria is able to join at any time, and there's no cap on numbers.
What is a DPS in the UK? What replaces DPS in the UK?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, DPS is already a legacy tool under PCR 2015 (it has been taken over by “dynamic markets”): no new DPSs can be set up, and existing ones close by 23 February 2029. In Scotland, DPSs continue under separate, unaffected rules.
Do suppliers pay to join a DPS?
No. Under PCR 2015, a DPS can't charge suppliers any fees. A dynamic market is different: though there are no joining fees, suppliers pay a small commission (or levy) determined by the amount of sales they generate within the terms of the commercial agreement.
What replaces the DPS under the Procurement Act 2023?
DPS is replaced by the dynamic market system. It works on the same always-open principle but uses "conditions for membership" instead of selection criteria. A dynamic market represents a list of qualified suppliers (who meet the “conditions for membership”) who are eligible to take part in future procurements.
Final word
A DPS remains one of the more accessible ways for suppliers to reach public-sector buyers: it features an open entry, there are no fees, and there’s a straightforward pass/fail test.
However, it’s important to check the end date before you invest time applying, especially in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, where the clock runs out on 23 February 2029 at the latest. From then on, dynamic markets take over, which is why you should get familiar with them now.
