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Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) Guidance for Scottish Members

30 September 2026

We have published a guide for Scottish contracting authorities accessing our frameworks procured under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) legislative regime. This follows the publication of a Scottish Statutory Instrument and related Scottish procurement policy guidance. It explains how Scottish authorities can access compliant PA23 Frameworks. Notably, the guide covers TPPL PA23 frameworks for Scottish authorities in detail.

What does the guidance mean?

Scottish authorities can use our PA23 frameworks to award contracts through the framework’s call-off procedure. However, Scottish procurement requirements differ from those that apply elsewhere in the UK. Therefore, authorities should understand which rules apply before starting a call-off process. The exact requirements can also depend on the framework being used. The guide explains several important differences for Scottish contracting authorities. For example, some Scottish procurement legislation does not apply during a PA23 framework call-off. Certain PA23 requirements also do not apply to Scottish authorities. In summary, TPPL are able to offer specific guidance to address these differences.

Publishing notices in Scotland

One of the key differences concerns procurement notices.

Scottish authorities must publish relevant notices through the Central Digital Platform (CDP). This differs from the Public Contracts Scotland platform used under Scottish procurement legislation. After completing the call-off procedure, authorities should publish a Contract Award Notice through the CDP. The authority must also publish a Contract Details Notice after entering into the contract. This generally takes place within 30 calendar days. The guide also explains which details authorities must include within these notices. This includes information about the original framework and the award process used. For further clarity, PA23 frameworks for Scottish authorities address notice requirements in depth.

Support available from TPPL

TPPL understands that navigating different procurement requirements can create additional complexity for contracting authorities.

Therefore, we can provide practical support throughout the notice publication process. Where requested, we can help Scottish authorities with:

  • Drafting Contract Award Notices
  • Drafting Contract Details Notices
  • Framework-specific publication guidance
  • Publication support through the Central Digital Platform
  • Guidance on using the authority’s own CDP registration and API credentials

Authorities retain control of their notices throughout this process. We can provide tailored support elements while the authority publishes each notice under its own name.

Supporting Scottish public sector procurement

TPPL remains committed to supporting Scottish authorities with compliant and practical procurement solutions. Our guidance helps them understand the key steps when using our PA23 frameworks. However, every organisation should consider its individual circumstances before making procurement decisions. TPPL strongly recommends that members obtain independent legal advice when required.

For more information about compliantly accessing our frameworks in Scotland, please contact us at enquiries@tppl.co.uk.