Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015)

The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) formed the backbone of UK public procurement law for nearly a decade, transposing EU Directive 2014/24/EU into domestic legislation. Applicable in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Scotland having its own parallel regime), PCR 2015 imposed binding obligations on contracting authorities purchasing goods, services, and works above EU-derived financial thresholds.

What are the Public Contracts Regulations 2015?

PCR 2015 came into force on 26 February 2015, replacing the previous Public Contracts Regulations 2006. The regulations applied to public sector contracting authorities, including central government departments, local authorities, NHS bodies, and other bodies governed by public law.

The regulations established the main procurement procedures available to buyers: open procedure, restricted procedure, competitive procedure with negotiation, competitive dialogue, and innovation partnership. Each procedure carried specific rules on time limits, documentation, and supplier engagement. Above the relevant thresholds, contracting authorities were required to advertise contracts in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) via the Find a Tender Service (FTS) after the UK left the EU.

PCR 2015 also introduced the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD), a self-declaration tool allowing suppliers to confirm they meet selection criteria without submitting full evidence at the outset. This reduced the administrative burden on bidders, particularly smaller firms.

Key obligations under PCR 2015 included publishing contract notices, issuing standstill periods (Alcatel periods) before contract award to allow challenges, and notifying unsuccessful tenderers of award decisions with detailed feedback. The regulations also imposed obligations around exclusion grounds, both mandatory (such as conviction for corruption or fraud) and discretionary (such as serious professional misconduct or poor past performance).

Following the UK's departure from the EU, PCR 2015 was retained in domestic law as amended. The UK then moved to replace it with the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force in February 2025, consolidating and modernising the regulatory framework. PCR 2015 remains relevant to contracts let before that date, and understanding it is essential for any supplier engaged in legacy contract management or disputes.

Why it matters for bidders

PCR 2015 defined the procedural rights that suppliers could rely upon when competing for public contracts in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It set out mandatory standstill periods giving unsuccessful bidders time to request a debrief and, if necessary, seek an injunction to halt award. It also codified the requirement for proportionate selection criteria and the prohibition on adding new award criteria after a tender was published.

Suppliers who understand PCR 2015 can identify when a buyer has departed from the required process, whether by shortening time limits improperly, failing to issue a contract award notice, or applying selection criteria not disclosed in the contract notice. Such departures may give grounds for a formal challenge.

Example

A local authority in England publishes a five-year facilities management contract valued at GBP 8 million. Under PCR 2015, this exceeds the relevant services threshold and must follow an OJEU-compliant procedure. The authority runs a restricted procedure, issuing a pre-qualification questionnaire before inviting a shortlist of suppliers to tender. It must publish a contract award notice within 30 days of award and observe a ten-day standstill before signing the contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PCR 2015 still apply after the Procurement Act 2023 came into force?

PCR 2015 governs contracts that were let under its provisions and are still running. For contracts advertised after 24 February 2025, the Procurement Act 2023 applies. However, PCR 2015 remains legally significant for ongoing contracts, disputes, and any understanding of how procurement law evolved in the UK.

What thresholds triggered PCR 2015 obligations?

The thresholds were set by the EU and revised periodically. For central government bodies, the services and supplies threshold was approximately GBP 122,976 (the exact figure varied by revision period). For sub-central authorities the threshold was higher. Works contracts had a separate, significantly higher threshold. Contracts below threshold were not subject to the full PCR 2015 regime, though other rules around value for money and transparency still applied.

How did PCR 2015 interact with the Social Value Act?

PCR 2015 provided the procedural framework, while the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 required contracting authorities to consider how procurement could improve economic, social, and environmental wellbeing. The two instruments operated together: social value considerations had to be structured within the award criteria framework that PCR 2015 prescribed.