UK Procurement Glossary
Mini-Competition
A short competitive process run among suppliers on a framework or DPS to award a specific call-off contract.
Definition
A mini-competition is a competitive process run among the suppliers admitted to a framework or DPS, to award a specific call-off contract. The buyer publishes a brief specification and evaluation criteria, and admitted suppliers submit a focused response. Evaluation timelines are usually shorter than a full procurement — often 2-4 weeks from publication to award.
Mini-competitions vary in formality. Simple ones may run via email exchange or a buyer portal; complex ones can involve formal scoring grids and standstill periods that mirror an open procurement.
How this affects your bid
Mini-competition responses should be tight, focused and directly addressed to the specific call-off needs — not a copy-paste of the framework application. Buyers want to see you have engaged with THIS contract, not just be a generic framework member.
Common questions about mini-competition
How is a mini-competition awarded?
On the basis of the evaluation criteria published in the mini-competition documents. Quality + price scoring is standard; weightings vary by buyer and contract.
Do mini-competitions have a standstill period?
Some do, particularly for above-threshold call-offs. Always check the mini-competition documents for the award timeline and any standstill notice procedure.
Related terms
Framework Agreement
A pre-agreed contract between one or more buyers and a panel of suppliers, used as the …
Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)
An electronic procurement vehicle that remains open to new suppliers throughout its lif…
Call-Off Contract
An individual contract awarded under a parent framework agreement or DPS, ordered by a …
Award Criteria
The published criteria a UK public sector buyer uses to evaluate and score bid response…
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