Low Value Purchase System

For low-cost, low-value and uncomplicated common goods and services. It can be used by suppliers of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) suppliers.

Description

All the public sector, including their associated bodies and agencies can use this agreement to buy a wide range of common goods and services. The contract value for these goods and services must stay within the limits in the Procurement Policy Note (PPN) for Public Contract Thresholds 11/23.

Suppliers can apply to join at any time. This includes SMEs and VCSE suppliers.

The low value purchase system (LVPS) allows you to award a contract without advertising it on Contracts Finder. You can either use direct award or run a mini competition (getting multiple suppliers to propose a solution). If you choose direct award, you must make sure you follow your organisation’s procurement policy.

You can filter the supplier list by:

  • the type of goods or services

  • postcode radius where the supplier can supply the goods or services

  • whether the supplier is an SME or VCSE

This agreement offers a wide range of goods and services, including:

  • agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

  • agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

  • agricultural machinery

  • petroleum products, fuel, electricity, and other sources of energy

  • mining, basic metals, and related products

  • chemical products

  • electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

  • rail, air and sea auxiliary products

  • security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

  • sewage, refuse, cleaning, and environmental services

  • industrial machinery

  • machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

  • musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories

  • food, beverages and related products

  • clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

  • leather and textile fabrics, plastic and rubber materials

  • collected and purified water

  • installation services

  • hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

  • transport services with driver/operator

  • supporting and auxiliary transport services and travel agencies services

  • education and training services

  • permanent recruitment and contingent labour (excluding recruitment in the education and healthcare sector)

  • recreational, cultural and sporting services

  • research services

  • other community, social and personal services

  • translation services

  • IT services and support

The LVPS System was established by Crown Commercial Service (CCS) under Part 4 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 . It supports suppliers who can provide goods and or services below the threshold where Part 2 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 apply.

Benefits

  • a simple solution for below threshold requirements
  • a flexible route to market where suppliers can join at any time
  • supports the government’s SME policy
  • contributes to the Social Value outcome of increasing supply chain resilience and capacity by creating a diverse supply chain to deliver contracts including new businesses and entrepreneurs, SMEs and VCSEs

  • uses dynamic filters so customers can search by goods, services, SME status and supplier location

  • dynamic filters make sure the right suppliers are notified about opportunities relevant to the common goods and services they are able to provide

  • fully compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015

  • aligns with Procurement Policy Note (PPN) for Public Contract Thresholds 11/23
  • direct award is compliant with the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (customers should make sure it is compliant with their organisation’s procurement policy)

How to buy

You can run a mini competition to choose a supplier. Direct award is also possible, but you must follow your organisation’s rules.

Before running a mini-competition, check which suppliers can meet your requirements using the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) Marketplace.

Follow these steps to search for suppliers, create a shortlist and run a mini competition:

  1. Register on the Supplier Registration Service Dynamic Purchasing System Marketplace . Even even though it says “supplier registration”, buyers also register here.

  2. Go to the LVPS and accept the terms use.

  3. Use filters to enter contract requirements and filter for appropriate suppliers.

  4. Export the supplier list. We advise using this list within 2 working days, as new suppliers may join at any time and the list may change.

  5. Create a competition on your chosen eProcurement or tendering system. Invite the suppliers you identified and include your specification, evaluation criteria and contract format.

  6. Run the competition and evaluate the responses. Make sure suppliers have enough time to prepare.

  7. Choose the supplier(s) you want to use.

  8. Return to the LVPS and request any required evidence from the winning supplier(s).

  9. Suppliers upload their evidence through the system. Usually within 2 days for simple projects. More time may be needed for complex ones.

  10. Once you are satisfied with the evidence, proceed to award the contract.

  11. Tell us about the contract award by contacting: info@crowncommercial.gov.uk 

  12. Publish a contract award notice or Contracts Finder notice.

Documents