Procurement Policy Note 11/14: references and public procurement · first published 12 December 2014
PPN 11/14, published in December 2014, clarifies how commercial staff in contracting authorities (government buying organisations) are allowed to provide references for their suppliers. For small businesses, a completed public-sector contract is a potentially powerful credential — this note makes clear that buyers can formally support suppliers by providing those references. The document is aimed at buyers rather than suppliers, but it signals that SMEs have a legitimate route to request references after delivering public contracts. There is no indication this has been superseded or withdrawn. Because we only have the summary text and not the full document, some detail may be missing.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
This note is a quiet but useful win for SMEs: it legitimises asking your public-sector client for a reference, removing any ambiguity about whether buyers are permitted to provide one. For small firms trying to break into new markets or scale up, a credible government reference can be the difference between passing or failing a bid's past-performance check. The note does not, however, compel buyers to provide references — so the opportunity is there, but it must be actively pursued.
1. At contract close — or even mid-contract if performance is strong — formally request a written reference from the commercial or contract manager at the contracting authority. Cite PPN 11/14 if needed to confirm that buyers are permitted to provide one.
SMEs who have completed a public-sector contract — The note explicitly legitimises commercial staff providing references, removing the excuse that 'policy won't allow it'.
2. Build a reference library: collect and file written references from every completed public-sector contract so you have ready evidence for past-performance sections of future tenders.
SMEs preparing bids for future public or private contracts — The note recognises that public-sector references 'can support growth for business' — having them ready means you can deploy them quickly in competitive bids.
3. Keep a clear record of your delivery milestones, KPIs met, and any buyer commendations throughout the contract, so your reference request is backed by concrete evidence the buyer can easily reference.
SMEs currently delivering a public-sector contract — A buyer is more likely to provide a strong, specific reference if the evidence of good performance is laid out clearly for them.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The note explains how commercial staff in contracting authorities can provide references for their suppliers. (Central government contracting authorities, all contract values, all sectors.)
“This note explains how commercial staff in contracting authorities can provide references for their suppliers.”
References are recognised as particularly important for SME suppliers seeking to grow their businesses. (SME suppliers across all sectors.)
“References are important for suppliers, especially for small and medium enterprise (SME) suppliers seeking to grow their businesses.”
A successful public-sector contract is described as a valuable potential reference for a small firm that can support business growth. (SME suppliers who have delivered public-sector contracts.)
“Often a successful contract with the public sector is a valuable potential reference for a small firm, and references can support growth for business.”
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.