Buy through the assisted procurement service

We know that providing high-quality public services relies on smart, efficient procurement. But we also understand that many public sector organisations are finding it tough to dedicate the time and resources needed.

The Assisted Procurement Service is designed specifically for buyers who need support running their procurements, so you can focus your resources on other activities like contract management.

Our experienced team has run tenders across every type of procurement and sector. From building hospital wings through to digital transformation projects, we understand what you’re dealing with and how to help you succeed.

Explore this page to find out more about the Assisted Procurement Service and see if it’s the right fit for your organisation.

Learn more about the Assisted Procurement Service

Explore the following sections to find out what the Assisted Procurement Service is, how it is provided, and what your responsibilities would be as a buyer.

What is the Assisted Procurement Service?

The Assisted Procurement Service is a free resource that lets public and third sector organisations tap into our commercially experienced team to run their procurements, freeing up their resources for other priorities like contract management. With £3.3 billion in procurements in 2025 to 2026 alone, we bring ready-made agreements and proven expertise that make the process efficient and stress-free.

You can use it for common goods or services that are available through the following commercial agreements:

The Assisted Procurement Service may also be available for other agreements if the contract is a requirement with a total contract value of £20 million or more and 3 months notice of your requirement can be given, so that we can build it into our pipeline. As GCA evolves we aim to enhance the Assisted Procurement Service offer further.

How the Assisted Procurement Service is provided

Once we have accepted your request onto the Assisted Procurement Service pipeline, our triage team will get in touch. They will guide you through the process and work with you to complete the Procurement Strategy Report. You will then be connected with a dedicated procurement lead based the specific skills your project needs.

Your procurement lead will:

  • manage communication with bidders 
  • provide a full audit trail for transparency and accountability
  • issue compliant, approved procurement documents
  • manage the supplier clarification period so you do not have to answer or deal with queries
  • manage your evaluation process with your resources, including conducting commercial assessments
  • prepare award recommendation reports
  • prepare and issue all approved contractual documents
  • ensure compliance with all transparency obligations, in line with government policy

The value to you as a buyer

Throughout the process, your benefits as a buyer using the Assisted Procurement Service include:

  • your procurement is handled by experienced professionals who know the process inside out
  • our templates and guidance reflect the latest public procurement policy and best practice
  • the entire process is managed digitally, with everything handled through our secure e-Sourcing Portal, which your lead builds and manages for you
  • we manage the supplier clarification process, evaluations and all communication with bidders
  • for transparency and accountability, you’ll get a full audit trail throughout the process and regular updates on progress
  • you’ll be able to focus your resources on other business priorities

There is no charge.

Your part of the process as a buyer

Your procurement lead will work closely with you throughout the Assisted Procurement Service process. To make this partnership work effectively, we’ll need you to:

  • agree the procurement timeline
  • develop and finalise documents
  • approve all documents before publication
  • provide technical clarification answers
  • provide technical evaluators
  • manage post-award contracts

How to get started

To get started with the Assisted Procurement Service, follow the following steps:

Please note: our notice period to request the Assisted Procurement Service is 3 months before you need the procurement process to start.

  1. If your requirement meets the criteria above, get in touch with your GCA account manager through our service desk form at the bottom of this page.
  2. Your account manager may request further information from you to help them add your requirement to the Assisted Procurement Service pipeline. The following documents will be needed from you:
  3. The Assisted Procurement Service Triage Team will then review your requirement and confirm acceptance onto the pipeline with your account manager. We will then get in touch with you closer to the procurement start date.

To get in touch with your account manager or to get more information on our Assisted Procurement Service, please submit the form below and one of our advisors will get back to you.

Since 2021 we’ve completed assisted procurements, with a total annual contract value of £23 billion, for customers including NHS trusts, police, and local councils.
“Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council used the Assisted Procurement Service to procure for its Grayson Place regeneration project. Having access to pre-prepared, compliant documents provided a useful backdrop to the council’s procurement process and having an independent chair and note-taker for consensus meetings saved the council time and resource. Officers had to upload notes/scores using our portal and this worked well for collation of information. This was the first time we used the service and it was a positive experience.”
Matt Wallbank MCIPS (CS)
Assistant Director – Governance and Democracy, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
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More ways to buy through GCA

Get in touch

To get in touch with your account manager or to get more information on the Assisted Procurement Service, please submit the form below and one of our advisors will get back to you.

Your details

Please give us as much detail as possible, including the agreement name and number

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Glossary

Find explanations for common terms and abbreviations used in public procurement.

Explore our glossary.