Source: https://tendernation.io/glossary/dynamic-purchasing-system Glossary # Dynamic purchasing system (DPS) An electronic, always-open list of qualified suppliers under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, replaced by dynamic markets for new procurements. Updated 14 Oct 2026 A dynamic purchasing system (DPS) is an electronic list of qualified suppliers that stays open to new members for its whole life. Buyers run quick competitions among DPS members for individual contracts. It is a legacy term: for new procurements, the Procurement Act 2023 replaced it with the [dynamic market](/glossary/dynamic-market). ## What it means The DPS came from [regulation 34 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/102/regulation/34/made), which allowed buyers to use one "for commonly used purchases" and required it to be run as a completely electronic process, open throughout its validity. Any supplier meeting the selection criteria had to be admitted. Those Regulations were revoked on 24 February 2025, but transitional rules keep existing arrangements running. [PPN 019 guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ppn-019-requirements-to-publish-on-contracts-finder/guidance-on-the-transparency-requirements-for-publishing-on-contracts-finder) confirms that procurements using dynamic purchasing systems set up under the 2015 Regulations continue under those rules. The government's [dynamic markets guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents-define-phase/guidance-dynamic-markets-html) says the Act replaces dynamic purchasing systems with dynamic markets, which keep many of the same features. ## Why it matters for SMEs A DPS set up before February 2025 can stay live after that date, and buyers can keep running competitions through it until it expires. If you are already a member, keep your details current and keep watching for opportunities. If you are not, check whether you can still join: under the 2015 rules a DPS had to stay open to any supplier meeting the selection criteria for its whole period of validity. ## Practical tip Make a list of every DPS you belong to with its expiry date. As each one ends, look for the dynamic market or [framework](/glossary/framework) that replaces it, and apply early so you do not lose access to the same buyers. The [framework finder](/tools/framework-finder) can help you spot successor agreements. 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 [CPV codeA Common Procurement Vocabulary code, a standard numeric label that describes the goods, services or works a public contract is for.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/cpv-code)[Direct awardAwarding a public contract to a supplier without a competitive tender, allowed only where a justification in the Procurement Act 2023 applies.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/direct-award)[Dynamic marketA list of pre-qualified suppliers, open to new members throughout its life, from which buyers run competitions for individual contracts.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/dynamic-market)[ESPD (European Single Procurement Document)The EU's standard self-declaration form for public tenders, which UK buyers replaced with their own selection questionnaire after leaving the EU.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/espd)[Evaluation weightingThe share of the total score given to each award criterion, showing bidders which parts of their tender matter most.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/evaluation-weighting)[Exclusion grounds and the debarment listThe legal reasons a supplier can or must be barred from public contracts, and the central list of suppliers that Ministers have debarred.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/exclusion-grounds-debarment-list) [Read our procurement guides ](/guides)