Pipeline notice
A pipeline notice gives advance visibility of certain future public contracts and dynamic markets. Under the Procurement Act 2023 it is a formal notice with specified information, and it helps suppliers plan capacity without being an invitation to submit a tender.
Reviewed
The statutory pipeline duty is aimed at larger contracting authorities, but many buyers also publish forward plans voluntarily. Under section 93 of the Procurement Act 2023, an authority that expects to pay more than £100 million under relevant contracts in the coming financial year must publish a pipeline notice covering specified future procurements above £2 million where it expects to publish a tender or transparency notice in the reporting period.
What it tells suppliers
The notice can include the contracting authority, procurement title and identifier, subject matter and the expected date of a future tender or transparency notice. It gives a supplier time to assess fit, capacity, partners, certifications and market-engagement opportunities. Treat dates, values and scope as forecasts: approvals, budgets and priorities can change.
Plan without treating it as a bid
Save the notice and set a reminder for the expected tender. Search by buyer and CPV code, then monitor the relevant portal and buyer updates. Do not send a full unsolicited proposal or assume that appearing in the pipeline creates a preferred-supplier position. For example, a council pipeline may indicate a £3 million care-services procurement next year; it does not choose a procedure, guarantee a lot, or replace the later tender notice. Check whether preliminary market engagement or a planned procurement notice follows and respond only through the route stated by the buyer.