Public Sector
Procurement Academy
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PSPA 103 · For public sector buyers · Practitioner

Routes to Market

Choosing the right procedure, framework or dynamic market for the requirement. Procurement officers choosing between the open procedure, the competitive flexible procedure, frameworks, dynamic markets and quotes.

What you'll produceA route-to-market decision record: options considered, chosen route with reasons, risks and timetable implications, ready for approval
Start the courseSee the course outline
Price
£14.99 per learner, no VAT
Time
2 to 3 hours
Level
Practitioner
Access
Lifetime, including updates
Pathway
Stage 2: Choose the route
Learning outcomes

By the end, you'll be able to

  • Choose a proportionate route for a requirement under the Procurement Act 2023, and justify it
  • Design a competitive flexible procedure with lawful stages, shortlisting and time periods
  • Use frameworks and dynamic markets correctly, including call-off rules and entitlement
  • Write a route-to-market decision record that approvers and auditors can follow
Course outline

5 modules, each with something to do

Every module ends in a short test. Every answer is explained. Pass the final assessment to receive your certificate.

  1. 01

    The routes under the Act

    The open and competitive flexible procedures, frameworks, dynamic markets, below-threshold routes and where direct award fits.

    Hands-on: Decide whether to rely on a client's favourite framework

  2. 02

    Choosing a proportionate route

    Value, complexity, market, existing arrangements, time and supplier burden.

    Hands-on: Route simulator: four requirements, with the time, risk and market consequences of each choice

  3. 03

    Designing a competitive flexible procedure

    Participation stages, shortlisting, demonstrations, negotiation, refining criteria and minimum time periods.

    Hands-on: Design a procedure and generate a summary for the tender notice

  4. 04

    Frameworks, dynamic markets and lower values

    Call-off rules, framework terms, open frameworks, dynamic markets and below-threshold duties.

    Hands-on: Sort what is and isn't allowed under a framework

  5. 05

    Your route decision

    Bringing it together, and the final assessment.

    Hands-on: Write your route-to-market decision record, then the final assessment and certificate

Scope and assessment

What this course covers, and how you're assessed

Written for the Procurement Act 2023 as it applies in England, and reviewed whenever the law or guidance changes.

What's covered

  • The Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024 as they apply in England
  • Contracting authorities buying goods, services and works, above and below threshold
  • Good practice that holds whatever the regime

What isn't

  • Scotland's procurement rules, which are separate
  • Rules specific to Wales and Northern Ireland, which differ in places
  • The NHS Provider Selection Regime for healthcare services
  • Legal advice on a live procurement

How you're assessed

  • A short test at the end of every module, with every answer explained
  • 80% to move on; retake as often as you like
  • A final assessment, then a certificate with an ID anyone can check online
Your certificate

Proof you can show your manager

Each certificate has a unique ID that anyone can check on our verification page. It's a certificate of completion for independent training, not a formal qualification.

Written by a practitioner

Every course is written by Tim Young FCIPS: more than 25 years in procurement across the public and private sectors, a former CIPS examiner and assessor, CIPS tutor at Levels 3 to 6, AET-qualified and an IoSCM Ambassador.

About the Academy

Questions

Before you start

How long do I have access?

For life. Pay once and the course stays in your account, including every update we make to it, for as long as we offer the course. If we ever withdraw a course, we'll give you at least 12 months' notice.

What does "including updates" mean?

When the law, guidance or thresholds change, we update the course and you get the new version automatically. Your progress is kept.

Does this count towards the Tender Ready pathway?

Yes. If you buy the pathway later, what you paid for this course comes off the pathway price automatically at checkout, as long as you’re signed in.

Are these courses up to date with the Procurement Act 2023?

Yes. Courses are written for the Procurement Act 2023 as it applies in England, which came into force on 24 February 2025. Each course shows the date its content was last reviewed, and you keep access to updates.

How is this different from the free Procurement Act learning?

The Cabinet Office's free learning explains what the Act says, and it's worth doing. These courses sit alongside it: you practise applying the rules to realistic cases, make decisions and see the consequences, with feedback on every answer.

Can my organisation pay by invoice?

Yes. For two or more learners we set up access and invoice your organisation, so you can raise a purchase order. See For organisations.

Is VAT charged?

No. The Academy is run by Young Procurement, which is not VAT registered, so the price you see is the price you pay.

Is this a CIPS qualification?

No. Each course ends in a certificate of completion with an ID that anyone can check online. It's independent training, not a formal qualification.