Lots
Subdivisions within a framework or contract that group services by category, geography, or value; bidders apply per lot.
Definition
Lots are subdivisions within a framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system, or single procurement that group the work by category, geography, value band, or specialism. Suppliers apply to individual lots rather than the whole arrangement. A single framework may have 10 or more lots, and a supplier can apply to multiple lots simultaneously if they have relevant capability across all of them. Lotting is the principal mechanism through which UK public procurement is designed to support SME participation.
How it works in practice
Buyers use lots for three main reasons. First, to attract specialist suppliers who could not realistically bid for the whole scope (a small consultancy can win a niche lot on a CCS digital framework without having to compete against systems integrators on the wider lot). Second, to control geographic concentration risk (a regional housing maintenance framework might split into north, central, and south lots so no single supplier covers the whole area). Third, to comply with Procurement Policy Note guidance on SME-friendly design: lotting is one of the principal levers central government uses to hit its SME spend targets. Lot structure is published in the Contract Notice and the Invitation to Tender. Suppliers should read the lot definitions carefully before deciding which to bid: lots are usually fixed once published and a supplier who applied to the wrong lot cannot transfer to a different one mid-procurement. Some frameworks allow bidders to apply to multiple lots with a single response; others require a separate response per lot. The evaluation is per lot: scoring on lot 1 does not influence the lot 2 evaluation even where the same supplier applies to both. Maximum lot caps are sometimes specified to prevent single-supplier dominance.
Common questions
Can I bid for multiple lots in the same framework?
Almost always yes, provided you have relevant capability for each lot. Some frameworks require a separate response per lot; others allow a consolidated response with lot-specific sections. Read the ITT carefully: missing a lot-specific requirement when you intended to bid for that lot is grounds for being excluded from the lot.
Can a buyer change the lot structure during the procurement?
No. Lot structure is part of the published procurement design. Material changes (merging lots, splitting lots, changing lot scope) would require re-publishing the Contract Notice. Minor clarifications about lot scope can be issued via the portal Q&A but cannot change the substantive design.
Are there caps on how many lots a single supplier can win?
Sometimes. Many local authority frameworks cap maximum lots per supplier to spread the work and reduce concentration risk. The cap is published in the Contract Notice and ITT. If you win more lots than the cap allows, the buyer typically lets you choose which to take.