Source: https://tendernation.io/glossary/light-touch-contract Glossary # Light touch contract A contract mainly for certain social, health, education and other people-focused services, which follows a more flexible set of procurement rules. Updated 14 Oct 2026 A light touch contract is a public contract wholly or mainly for certain services listed in regulations, typically services delivered directly to people, such as health, social care, education and community services. These contracts have a higher threshold and more flexible rules than other contracts. ## What it means [Section 9 of the Procurement Act 2023](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/9) defines a light touch contract as one "wholly or mainly for the supply of services of a kind specified in regulations". [Regulation 42 and Schedule 1 of the Procurement Regulations 2024](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/692/regulation/42/made) list those services by [CPV code](/glossary/cpv-code). The government's [light touch contracts guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents-plan-phase/guidance-light-touch-contracts-html) describes them as "certain social, health, education and other public services". The differences that matter most to suppliers: - **Higher threshold.** From 1 January 2026 the threshold for most light touch contracts is £663,540 including VAT ([Schedule 1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/schedule/1)), compared with £135,018 for central government goods and services. - **Flexible time limits.** [Section 54](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/54) sets no minimum participation or tendering period for light touch contracts. - **No mandatory standstill.** [Section 51(3)(f)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/51) excludes them, although a buyer can set a voluntary standstill. - **Longer to publish.** The [contract details notice](/glossary/contract-details-notice) is due within 120 days rather than 30. Some light touch services can also be [reserved](/glossary/reserved-contracts) for public service mutuals under section 33. ## Why it matters for SMEs Many care providers, charities, training companies and community organisations deliver light touch services. Because the threshold is higher, plenty of these contracts fall below it and are bought under the lighter below-threshold rules. Above it, buyers can design processes that suit service users, such as site visits or interviews. ## Practical tip Read the timetable in every light touch tender carefully. With no statutory minimum, deadlines can be short, so keep your policies, case studies and safeguarding evidence ready to go. The [procurement threshold checker](/tools/procurement-threshold-checker) shows which threshold applies. 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)374 - [Architecture, engineering & surveying](https://tendernation.io/sectors/architecture-engineering-surveying)134 - [IT services](https://tendernation.io/sectors/it-services)54 - [Business services](https://tendernation.io/sectors/business-services)177 - [Health and social work](https://tendernation.io/sectors/health-social-work)300 - [Sewage, refuse, cleaning & environmental](https://tendernation.io/sectors/sewage-refuse-cleaning-environmental)80 [All sectors ](/sectors) ## Nearby terms [Find a TenderThe UK government's procurement notice service, which hosts the Central Digital Platform for notices and supplier registration under the Procurement Act 2023.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/find-a-tender)[FrameworkAn agreement between a buyer and one or more suppliers that sets the terms for awarding future contracts, without committing to any spend.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/framework)[Incumbent supplierThe supplier currently delivering a contract, usually bidding to keep it when the buyer runs a new procurement.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/incumbent-supplier)[LotsSeparate parts of a procurement, divided by type of work or geography, that suppliers can bid for individually.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/lots)[MEAT (most economically advantageous tender)The legacy test for choosing a winning bid under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, replaced by the most advantageous tender under the 2023 Act.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/meat)[Mini-competitionA short competition run among the suppliers on a framework to award a specific call-off contract.](https://tendernation.io/glossary/mini-competition) [Read our procurement guides ](/guides)