Source: https://tendernation.io/glossary/competitive-flexible-procedure Glossary # Competitive flexible procedure A tendering procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 that the buyer designs itself, which can include shortlisting, negotiation and several rounds. Updated 14 Oct 2026 The competitive flexible procedure is one of the two competitive tendering procedures under the Procurement Act 2023. Instead of following a fixed template, the buyer designs the process that suits the contract, which can include a shortlisting stage, negotiation, presentations or several rounds of tenders. ## What it means [Section 20(2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/20) defines it as any competitive tendering procedure the buyer "considers appropriate" for awarding the contract. Section 20(3) requires the procedure to be proportionate to the contract's nature, complexity and cost. Section 20(4) adds some rules: - the buyer may limit the number of suppliers at any stage - the buyer may refine the [award criteria](/glossary/award-criteria) between rounds, if the documents allowed for it - suppliers that did not tender in the first round, or were excluded in an earlier round, cannot rejoin The government's [competitive tendering procedures guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents-define-phase/competitive-tendering-procedures-html) confirms there is no longer a restricted procedure, competitive procedure with negotiation or competitive dialogue, although buyers can run something similar inside a competitive flexible procedure. Where there is a request-to-participate stage, [section 54(3)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/54) sets a minimum participation period of 25 days in most cases. ## Why it matters for SMEs Every competitive flexible procedure is different, so the tender notice and documents are the only reliable guide to what happens next. A two-stage process with a shortlist means less work up front (you may only answer suitability questions first) but tougher competition at the final stage. Negotiation stages reward suppliers who can make decisions quickly. ## Practical tip As soon as you see a competitive flexible procedure, map out every stage, deadline and shortlist size from the tender documents before deciding to bid. If the process has a long negotiation phase you cannot resource, it may be better to pass. Compare it with the simpler [open procedure](/glossary/open-procedure), and use the [tender deadline calculator](/tools/tender-deadline-calculator) to check the minimum time limits. Find tenders that fit your business Search UK, EU and World Bank tenders in one place, get AI summaries and a fit score for each one, and track bids in a pipeline. Professional comes with a 14-day free trial, no card needed. [Browse live tenders](/opportunities)[Start free trial ](/register) 14-day free trial, no card required Browse by sector - [Construction work](https://tendernation.io/sectors/construction-work)338 - [Architecture, engineering & surveying](https://tendernation.io/sectors/architecture-engineering-surveying)126 - [IT services](https://tendernation.io/sectors/it-services)48 - [Business services](https://tendernation.io/sectors/business-services)166 - [Health and social work](https://tendernation.io/sectors/health-social-work)274 - [Sewage, refuse, cleaning & environmental](https://tendernation.io/sectors/sewage-refuse-cleaning-environmental)76 [All sectors ](/sectors) ## Nearby terms [Carbon Reduction Plan (PPN 006)A published plan confirming a supplier's commitment to net zero by 2050 and reporting its emissions, required for major central government contracts.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/carbon-reduction-plan)[Central Digital PlatformThe government's online system, run through Find a Tender, where buyers publish Procurement Act notices and suppliers register their details once.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/central-digital-platform)[Clarification questionsQuestions a bidder sends the buyer during a tender to resolve ambiguity, with answers usually shared with every bidder.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/clarification-questions)[Conflicts of interestA situation where someone involved in a procurement has an interest that could, or could appear to, affect a fair decision.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/conflicts-of-interest)[Contract award noticeA public notice that a buyer intends to enter into a contract with a named supplier, published before the contract is signed.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/contract-award-notice)[Contract details noticeA notice a buyer publishes after signing a public contract, confirming the supplier, value, dates and other key details.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/contract-details-notice) [Read our procurement guides ](/guides)