PPN 06/23 The Commercial Playbooks · first published 20 June 2023
PPN 06/23 consolidates and replaces four earlier Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs) and confirms that central government departments, their Executive Agencies, and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) — called 'In-scope Organisations' — must follow the Cabinet Office's Commercial Playbooks. There are currently four Playbooks: Sourcing, Consultancy, Construction, and Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT). The Playbooks set out rules and principles for how buyers and suppliers should engage, covering risk, sustainability and innovation. Other public sector organisations (such as councils or NHS bodies) are encouraged — but not required — to follow the Playbooks. For SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), this matters because the Playbooks shape how your government buyer will structure, run and manage any contract in these four areas.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
The Playbooks define the 'rules of the game' that central government buyers must follow when sourcing, managing consultancy, construction or DDaT contracts — meaning SMEs bidding in these areas should read the relevant Playbook to understand exactly how their buyer is expected to behave and what outcomes they will prioritise. The encouragement for wider public sector adoption means the Playbooks' principles could increasingly influence how councils, NHS trusts and other bodies run procurements too, even though they are not formally bound. SMEs that demonstrate familiarity with Playbook principles in their bids signal commercial sophistication to buyers who are assessed against those same principles.
1. Download and read the relevant Commercial Playbook (Sourcing, Consultancy, Construction or DDaT) for the contract you are pursuing — it sets out exactly how your buyer is expected to structure and manage the procurement.
SMEs bidding for central government contracts in sourcing, consultancy, construction or DDaT — In-scope central government buyers are required to follow the Playbooks' principles, rules and guidelines, so understanding them gives you insight into how evaluation and contract management decisions will be made.
2. In your bid, demonstrate awareness of the Playbook principles relevant to your sector — for example, referencing risk allocation, sustainability or innovation approaches that align with Cabinet Office expectations.
SMEs bidding for central government contracts in sourcing, consultancy, construction or DDaT — The Playbooks outline 'the Government's expectations for how buyers and suppliers should engage with each other', so aligning your language and approach to those expectations shows your buyer you understand the framework they are assessed against.
3. Check whether your public sector buyer has voluntarily adopted any of the four Playbooks, as non-central-government buyers are actively encouraged to do so — and adjust your bid approach accordingly.
SMEs bidding for wider public sector contracts (e.g. local authorities, NHS trusts) — The PPN states other public sector organisations 'are encouraged to consider taking the suite of Playbooks into account', meaning Playbook-style requirements may appear outside central government procurements.
4. Direct any questions about how a specific Playbook applies to a live procurement to markets-sourcing-suppliers@cabinetoffice.gov.uk or the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) helpdesk at info@crowncommercial.gov.uk.
All SMEs with a commercial/procurement contact — The PPN provides these as the official contact points for Playbook implementation queries.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The PPN applies to all Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies ('In-scope Organisations'). (All central government departments, Executive Agencies and NDPBs.)
“The content of this Procurement Policy Note (PPN) applies to all Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies and are referred to as 'In-scope Organisations'.”
Other public sector organisations are encouraged — but not required — to adopt the Playbooks. (Public sector organisations outside central government (e.g. local authorities, NHS bodies).)
“The Playbooks and their associated guidance are considered good practice and other public sector organisations are encouraged to consider taking the suite of Playbooks into account as part of their commercial activities.”
In-scope organisations must apply this PPN within 3 months of it coming into immediate effect. (All In-scope Organisations.)
“In scope organisations should apply this PPN within 3 months of immediate effect.”
There are currently four Commercial Playbooks: Sourcing, Consultancy, Construction, and Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT). (All In-scope Organisations across the relevant sectors.)
“There are currently 4 Playbooks: Sourcing, Consultancy, Construction, and Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT).”
This PPN replaces and consolidates four previous PPNs: PPN 02/22, PPN 03/21, PPN 09/20 and PPN 05/20. (All In-scope Organisations — previously subject to those earlier PPNs.)
“This PPN replaces and consolidates PPN 02/22, PPN 03/21, PPN 09/20 and PPN 05/20.”
In-scope organisations must apply the principles, rules and guidelines in the Playbooks and any future updates or accompanying Guidance Notes. (All In-scope Organisations.)
“In-scope Organisations should take action to apply the principles, rules and guidelines set out in the Playbooks and apply any future content that is produced as part of any updates to the Playbooks or their accompanying Guidance Notes.”
The Playbooks aim to systematically change how government approaches risk, sustainability and innovation to create productive, profitable, sustainable and resilient sectors. (All In-scope Organisations and suppliers engaging with them.)
“The Playbooks aim to systematically change how Government, and the Public Sector more widely, approaches risk, sustainability and innovation across portfolios of projects and programmes, with the goal of creating productive, profitable, sustainable and resilient sectors.”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
Source document © Crown copyright, reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0 via the GOV.UK Content API. enkii tracks every Procurement Policy Note and briefs changes the day they land — see all briefings.