Definition
Further Competition
The formal name for competing a call-off among framework suppliers.
A further competition is the term most often used for the competitive stage run among suppliers on a dynamic purchasing system (DPS) or, under the Procurement Act 2023, a dynamic market, when a buyer has a specific requirement to place. It works similarly to a framework mini-competition but sits within a continuously open supplier list rather than a fixed, time-limited framework.
Further competition versus mini-competition
Both terms describe a second-stage competitive process among pre-qualified suppliers, and in everyday use they are frequently treated as synonyms. The more precise distinction is context: 'further competition' is the standard term associated with dynamic purchasing systems and dynamic markets, which remain open for new suppliers to join at any time, whereas 'mini-competition' is more commonly used for closed, fixed-membership frameworks.
Because dynamic markets stay open, any supplier that qualifies and joins before a further competition is published can usually take part, which can mean a larger and more varied pool of competitors than a typical framework mini-competition with a fixed supplier list agreed years earlier.
How the process typically runs
The buyer publishes the specific requirement to all qualified suppliers on the relevant category of the dynamic market or DPS, sets a deadline, and evaluates responses against stated criteria, usually a mix of price and quality. Because entry to the dynamic market or DPS is ongoing, suppliers can join at any point and then be invited to further competitions published after their acceptance.
- Suppliers must first be admitted to the dynamic market or DPS before they can take part in any further competition
- New suppliers can typically apply to join at any time, unlike closed frameworks
- Each further competition should be responded to on its own merits, tailored to the specific requirement
- Evaluation criteria may be set at DPS/market level or tailored for each further competition, so check the invitation carefully
What suppliers should watch for
Because dynamic markets under the Procurement Act 2023 are designed to be more flexible and open than legacy DPS arrangements, suppliers should monitor the relevant category regularly rather than assuming a one-off application is sufficient, since new further competitions can be published at any time. Missing notifications is a common reason suppliers on a dynamic market fail to bid for relevant work.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to reapply for every further competition?
- No, once admitted to the dynamic market or DPS you remain eligible to be invited to further competitions in your category without reapplying for the whole system, though you do need to submit a fresh response to each individual opportunity.
- Can new suppliers join a dynamic market mid-way through its life?
- Yes, this is a key feature of dynamic purchasing systems and dynamic markets: they remain open for new supplier applications throughout their duration, unlike most closed frameworks.
- Is a further competition more or less competitive than a mini-competition?
- It varies by procurement, but because dynamic markets allow ongoing supplier entry, the pool invited to a further competition can be larger than a fixed framework's supplier list, so it is not safe to assume less competition.
Related terms