Central Digital Platform (CDP)

The Central Digital Platform (CDP) is the digital infrastructure backbone of the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force in February 2025. The CDP replaces the fragmented system of separate supplier registration portals, notice publication platforms, and eProcurement systems with a single authoritative platform. For suppliers, the CDP's most immediate benefit is a single registration: suppliers enter their company information, financial standing, and capability details once, and contracting authorities can access that verified information directly rather than requiring suppliers to complete separate pre-qualification questionnaires for each buyer.

What is the Central Digital Platform (CDP)?

The CDP is being built and operated by the Cabinet Office as the technology layer underpinning the new UK procurement regime. Its functions include: a central supplier register where organisations maintain a single, verified profile; a notice publication system that replaces the current split between Find a Tender Service (FTS) and Contracts Finder; a data transparency layer making procurement data available in machine-readable formats; and integration with existing eProcurement systems such as Proactis, Atamis, In-tend, and ProContract.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, contracting authorities are required to publish notices through the CDP rather than directly to FTS. The CDP feeds the public-facing notice search interface, giving suppliers a single place to find UK procurement opportunities. The Act also introduces new notice types (including pipeline notices giving 18-month advance visibility of planned procurements) that are designed for publication through the CDP.

The CDP is being rolled out in phases, with full functionality not available immediately from the Act's commencement date. During the transition, suppliers should monitor both the CDP and the existing platforms to avoid missing opportunities.

Why it matters for bidders

The CDP represents the most significant change to UK procurement infrastructure in a generation. For suppliers, the single registration removes the need to complete separate pre-qualification questionnaires for each contracting authority, which has historically been one of the biggest administrative burdens in public procurement, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The CDP's data transparency layer also means richer, more consistent procurement data in machine-readable formats, enabling better market intelligence, pipeline tracking, and bid management. Suppliers who adopt the CDP early will be positioned to benefit from the streamlined process as adoption grows among contracting authorities.

Example

A professional services firm currently maintains registrations on five separate eProcurement portals (ProContract, Atamis, In-tend, Proactis, and a local authority's own system) and completes lengthy pre-qualification questionnaires repeatedly. After the CDP is fully operational, the firm maintains a single CDP supplier profile, which is automatically accessible to any contracting authority using a CDP-integrated eProcurement system. When a new opportunity is published by any authority, the firm's pre-qualification information is already on file, shortening the time needed to prepare and submit a bid.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the CDP fully replace FTS and Contracts Finder?

The CDP rollout is phased. The Procurement Act 2023 came into force in February 2025, but full CDP functionality is being deployed over time. The government has published implementation guidance and transition timelines. Suppliers should monitor Cabinet Office announcements and check the CDP portal directly for the current status of each function.

Will Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish procurement also use the CDP?

The CDP applies to reserved procurement and to English devolved procurement subject to the Procurement Act 2023. Scottish devolved procurement (governed by Scottish regulations) is not directly subject to the Procurement Act, and Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) is expected to continue. Welsh and Northern Irish devolved procurement situations are similar. Suppliers operating across all four nations should maintain awareness of both the CDP and the devolved platforms.

Does the CDP replace eProcurement systems like Atamis and ProContract?

No. The CDP is infrastructure for supplier registration and notice publication, not a full eProcurement suite. Contracting authorities will continue to use their existing eProcurement systems for tender management, document distribution, and bid receipt. These systems are expected to integrate with the CDP so that supplier registration information flows between the CDP and the buyer's chosen platform without duplication.