The guide

Step-by-step guidance for commissioning digital products or services for government. Includes do’s and don’ts to ensure fair and transparent procurement.

We have produced guidance about how to buy in an emergency.
Read the draft emergency buying guidance

1. Plan

Plan your procurement strategy, exploring different solutions with users and suppliers

• Overview
• Work as a team
• Understand user needs
• Share information early
• Define outcomes
• Estimate costs
• Use digital buying tools
• Simplify contracts
• Choose an approach

2. Inform the market

Share what you need with the market, encouraging open competition

• Overview
• Write requirements
• Write evaluation criteria
• Advertise the opportunity
• Answer supplier questions

3. Evaluate and award

Evaluate suppliers using clear and objective criteria and select a winner

• Overview
• Shortlist suppliers
• Evaluate suppliers
• Award the contract

4. Manage delivery

Ensure that projects run smoothly by working with your supplier to deliver outcomes

• Overview
• Manage supplier relationship
• Manage supplier delivery
• Manage contract changes
• Close the contract