Procurement Act 2023 for schools
What PA23 means for school capital procurement, in force 24 February 2025 and applying fully to CF25 mini-competitions and direct awards.
What changes from PCR 2015
- Transparency notices: new mandatory notices including a Pipeline Notice for planned procurements above £100m / year.
- Award routes: open, competitive flexible, direct award, framework competition. The competitive flexible route gives more design freedom.
- Modification rules: tighter rules on contract modifications mid-flight.
- Debarment: a central debarment list maintained by Cabinet Office.
- Time-limit reform: shorter limitation period for challenges in some cases.
What it means for CF25 routes
CF25 mini-competitions are framework competitions under PA23. Direct award is restricted to specific scenarios (single-supplier, repeat-design, urgent works). Transparency notice obligations apply throughout: contract award, contract change, payment compliance[PA23].
PCR 2015 transitional schemes
Schemes started before 24 February 2025 continue under PCR 2015. New procurements from that date use PA23 even where the framework was awarded under PCR 2015.
See CF25.