What is the competitive flexible procedure?

Defining the competitive flexible procedure

The Procurement Act 2023 gives contracting authorities a new way to run tenders called the competitive flexible procedure. Instead of locking you into the old open, restricted or competitive dialogue routes, this procedure lets you shape the stages, timelines and evaluation criteria around the needs of the contract. You can decide to run a single stage competition, break the process into several phases, or build in negotiations or demonstrations with suppliers. The aim is to secure the “Most Advantageous Tender”, which means you can weigh wider public value like social benefits and innovation alongside price.

How is the competitive flexible procedure useful for planners?

For planning teams looking to buy digital planning software or wider consultancy services, this freedom is helpful. You might want suppliers to give live walkthroughs of their platform, carry out limited pilots or refine bids after feedback; the competitive flexible procedure lets you build those steps in. It can be adapted for a quick, light touch route for a modest upgrade or a more detailed approach for a full end-to-end planning system. Because you can tailor entry requirements and engagement stages, it can also open the door to smaller and specialist suppliers whose ideas could lift service quality without inflating costs.

Using the competitive flexible procedure in practice

There are still rules to follow. The tender notice has to spell out the stages so every supplier knows what to expect, and the process must stay transparent and fair. Minimum time periods for each stage apply and you must keep records of how decisions are made. If you mean to buy through an existing framework, first check the framework terms allow this procedure; dynamic markets require it by default. In practice a planning officer will need to work with their commercial or procurement colleagues to design the stages, draft clear evaluation criteria and schedule any demonstrations or negotiations, but understanding the flexibility on offer will help you frame early conversations and secure the best outcome for your authority.