Dynamic market

How a dynamic market works

A dynamic market lets a contracting authority maintain an eligible supplier pool for a defined category of goods, services or works. Unlike a closed framework, a supplier can apply for membership during the market's life. The authority assesses the application against the published membership requirements and should admit an eligible supplier without waiting for a periodic reopening. A dynamic market can be divided into categories, making it easier to match a requirement to capable suppliers.

The Act expanded the idea beyond the narrower dynamic purchasing system used under the previous legislation. To award a contract by reference to a dynamic market, the authority uses a competitive flexible procedure. It cannot use the open procedure or direct award by reference to the market. Membership itself is not an award of a public contract.

What suppliers should monitor

Read the market notice and membership conditions before applying. Keep core supplier information current, understand any category-specific evidence and check how invitations will be issued. Admission does not guarantee a contract: you still need to respond to a later competition and satisfy its participation conditions. Watch for changes to categories, the market's term and the authority's assessment timetable.

For example, a council may operate a dynamic market for retrofit surveys. A new specialist can apply in year two, be admitted to the relevant category, and then receive future invitations. It does not receive the council's next survey automatically; that work is awarded through the published competitive process.