Admission to Dynamic Market

Admission to a Dynamic Market or Dynamic Purchasing System is the process that bridges a supplier's decision to apply and their eligibility to compete. Because these arrangements are permanently open, the admission process must be fast, electronic, and conducted consistently throughout the life of the arrangement. Understanding how admission works helps suppliers plan their applications and know what to expect.

What is the Admission Process?

Under Article 34 of Directive 2014/24/EU, any economic operator that satisfies the selection criteria and has not been excluded may submit a request to participate in a Dynamic Purchasing System at any time during the system's operation. The contracting authority must evaluate each application within ten working days of receipt (extended to fifteen working days where justified by complexity) and inform the applicant of the outcome.

The evaluation is based solely on the published qualification conditions. The authority cannot apply different standards to different applicants or introduce new criteria not specified in the original notice. If the authority determines that additional information is required to assess an application, it may request it, but the ten-working-day clock typically restarts only from receipt of the complete application.

Under the UK Procurement Act 2023, Dynamic Market admission follows similar principles. Authorities must process applications promptly, communicate decisions with reasons, and maintain the open-access character of the arrangement throughout its life.

Before issuing a call-off invitation in a DPS, the authority must process any pending admission applications so that newly admitted suppliers can participate in the mini-competition. This obligation prevents buyers from running call-offs while ignoring a backlog of applications.

Why it matters for bidders

The speed and reliability of the admission process determines whether joining a Dynamic Market is a viable strategy. A prompt ten-day turnaround means that a supplier can apply, receive confirmation, and potentially participate in the next mini-competition within a few weeks. If the contracting authority is slow to process applications, however, a supplier may be effectively locked out of several call-off cycles.

Prepare a complete and accurate application at the outset. Incomplete applications restart the clock and delay admission. If you are applying in anticipation of a specific call-off, time your application to allow for the full assessment period.

Example

A DPS for IT support services has been operating for two years with twenty admitted suppliers. A new managed services company applies for admission in early October. The contracting authority reviews the application within ten working days and admits the supplier on 15 October. On 16 October, the authority issues a mini-competition invitation for a new call-off. Because the new supplier was admitted before the invitation was issued, it is included in the mini-competition and can compete for the contract alongside the original twenty members.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my admission application is rejected?

The contracting authority must tell you why your application was rejected. Common reasons include failure to meet financial thresholds, insufficient evidence of technical capability, or mandatory exclusion grounds. You may re-apply once the grounds for rejection have been addressed.

Can the authority limit the number of suppliers admitted?

In a DPS under Directive 2014/24/EU, no. All suppliers who meet the qualification criteria must be admitted; there is no cap. This differs from a framework agreement, where the authority may choose to admit only a fixed number of suppliers. Under the UK Procurement Act 2023, the Dynamic Market similarly cannot limit admission on a quota basis.

Can I apply to join during an active mini-competition?

Yes, you can apply at any time. However, if your application has not been assessed by the time the mini-competition invitation is issued, you will not be included in that particular mini-competition. The authority's obligation is to process applications before issuing each call-off invitation, but if your application arrives after the invitation has already been issued, you will join in time for the next one.