Transparency Notice
A new PA 2023 notice type publishing contract details, performance data, and significant performance issues for above-threshold contracts.
Definition
A Transparency Notice is a new notice type introduced by the Procurement Act 2023. It publishes contract details, performance data, and significant performance issues for above-threshold contracts on the central digital platform. Transparency Notices form part of the wider PA 2023 transparency regime that includes Pipeline Notices, Tender Notices, Award Notices, and Contract Performance Notices. Together they provide a single public record of UK public sector procurement from intent through to delivery.
How it works in practice
Transparency Notices are published at multiple lifecycle points. At award, the notice records the contract value, term, key parties, and headline KPIs. During delivery, contract performance updates are published at the specified cadence (typically annually for long contracts; at significant events for shorter contracts). At contract close, a final performance notice records actual outcomes against committed KPIs and any significant issues encountered. The notices feed into the public supplier conduct record: suppliers with sustained good performance build a positive record that informs future procurement; suppliers with significant performance failures build a negative record that contributing authorities can take into account in subsequent procurements. The notice format is OCDS-compatible, allowing third-party tooling (including KimonBids) to ingest the data via API. For suppliers the transparency regime cuts two ways: positive performance is publicly visible and helps build future-bid evidence; negative performance is also visible and can influence future procurement decisions. The KPIs published in Award Notices and tracked in Transparency Notices are the same KPIs supplier sign up to in the bid; under-delivery is publicly visible. Suppliers should treat KPI commitments at bid stage as fully binding and make conservative commitments rather than over-promising.
Common questions
What information is in a Transparency Notice?
Contract value, term, key parties, headline KPIs at award. During delivery, performance updates at the specified cadence (often annually). At contract close, actual outcomes against committed KPIs and any significant issues encountered. The notices form a public record across the contract lifecycle.
Do Transparency Notices apply to all public contracts?
Predominantly above-threshold contracts under PA 2023. Specific contract types have specific transparency requirements; check the current Cabinet Office guidance. Some sub-threshold contracts also attract transparency requirements where they form part of a strategic framework or carry significant social value commitments.
How does the supplier conduct record work?
Cumulative performance data across contracts contributes to a public record of supplier performance. Sustained good performance is positive evidence in future procurements. Sustained failure (multiple contracts under-delivering KPIs or facing significant performance issues) can affect future contracting decisions, with contracting authorities entitled to take past conduct into account in evaluation.