Department for Work and Pensions – Procurement at DWP

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) purchasing arrangements and information for those looking to become a supplier.

DWP provider guidance

The DWP provider guidance gives information about the role of organisations contracted to deliver provision for DWP.

The Provider Referrals and Payments system (PRaP) enables secure, automated exchanges of information about customers referred to providers, and payments from DWP to Prime Providers. All Welfare to Work contracted provision is supported by PRaP.

Contract opportunities

DWP uses external suppliers for goods and services. DWP contracts are awarded by competition between potential suppliers, unless there are compelling reasons why competition cannot be used.

Use Contracts Finder to find DWP contract opportunities, including tender timetable and tender documents. Contracts Finder is the main source of government contracting opportunities worth more than £10,000.

When required, contracts in the relevant categories are also advertised in the Tenders Electronic Daily (TED), the supplement to the Official Journal of the European Community in line with the department’s obligation under EU Procurement Directives.

eProcurement

Some of our current opportunities can be found on our eProcurement service, which we use to advertise tender opportunities and information on procurement projects. It provides a simple, secure and efficient means for managing tendering and quotation activities.

Dynamic Purchasing System

DWP uses a Dynamic Purchasing System to maintain a list of suppliers for commonly used goods and services. Find out how to register and apply for tender opportunities through the Dynamic Purchasing System.

Flexible Support Fund Dynamic Purchasing System 2 (FSF DPS 2)

Flexible Support Fund Dynamic Purchasing System 2 (FSF DPS 2) is the replacement to the DPS for work-focused activities also known as FSF DPS. The previous FSF DPS expired on 31 October 2021 and FSF DPS 2 replaced it for new call-offs from 1 November 2021.

To become accredited to deliver services under FSF DPS 2 please refer to the Flexible Support Fund Dynamic Purchasing System 2 (DPS) opportunity notices:

More information regarding how to register and apply to FSF DPS 2.

Low Value Provision opportunities

Low Value Provision (LVP) provides opportunities for relevant training that will help claimants into work, where no other suitable DWP contracted or non-contracted training is available.

To bid for and supply LVP opportunities you need to complete an online application form.

Opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

DWP wants to buy from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) every time they are the best value for money.

Commercial strategy

The DWP commercial strategy sets out our long-term strategy for the management of commercial arrangements across DWP.

Code of practice

DWP follows an ethical approach to purchasing the range of goods and services needed to meet the requirements of our customers.

We are committed to public sector best practice. In all commercial activity DWP pursues the highest standards of professionalism, ethical conduct and impartiality. Competitive processes are governed by EU law and UK legislation and conducted in accordance with the government procurement policy.

Terms and conditions

Suppliers should always refer to the specific terms and conditions issued as part of a procurement tender exercise.

The general terms and conditions (PS1 and PS2) are applied to low value and low risk requirements below £10,000.

The standard model terms and conditions are applied to contracts where the anticipated contract value is over £10,000.

The model services contract and the combined schedules to the model services contract are applied to IT delivery and business process outsourcing with a likely contract value of £10 million or more.

Diversity and equality

All contractors and sub-contractors must be aware of the diversity and equality requirements guidance for DWP contractors.

Prompt payment to suppliers

All central government departments are now required to pay 80% of undisputed invoices within 5 days. Suppliers need to be aware of the correct procedures involved to achieve this.

Suppliers must send invoices directly by post to:

Or email a PDF invoice to: [email protected].

Payment helpline

Telephone: 0845 241 5352 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm)

Prompt payment to sub-contractors

Where suppliers use sub-contractors for the performance of their contract with DWP, these suppliers are now required to pay the sub-contractor invoices within 30 days.

To report non-compliance with this requirement sub-contractors should provide details by email to DWP.

Please include the nature of your contract with the DWP supplier and, where possible, details of the suppliers’ contract with DWP, to: [email protected].

DWP takes data protection and information security very seriously and is required to give assurance that personal data is being appropriately protected throughout its supply chain.

Read about data protection and information security for DWP suppliers and contractors.

Sustainable procurement

DWP is highly regarded in government for its commitment to sustainable procurement. To support its aims the department seeks to minimise its own environmental impact. Read the DWP sustainable procurement strategy.

Government Buying Standards

The Government Buying Standards (GBS) are a set of sustainable specifications for a range of commonly purchased products. Read the latest information about how DWP and its suppliers are responding to the GBS.

Using DWP brands

If you need to use our logos or anything else that represents our brand, you need to register with our communication centre.

Commercial complaints process

If you are making a complaint regarding our competitive processes please provide as much detail as you can.

We are fully committed to maintaining confidentiality and will take appropriate measures to ensure it. If you are currently involved in tendering for work with DWP you can be assured that your comments will not be allowed to prejudice the fair treatment of your tender.

We will acknowledge all complaints in writing within 5 working days and we will aim to respond within 10 working days.

How to complain

Make your complaint in writing to the procurement manager shown in the tender documentation.

If you wish your complaint to be dealt with independent of the procurement manager, ask them to forward your complaint to the DWP Commercial Assurance team.

What happens when I make a complaint?

If we made a mistake we will apologise and take any corrective action we can. We monitor and report on the complaints we have received.

We try to learn from them to improve our competitive processes and intend also that our complaints handling process reflects best practice and opportunities for learning.