Low Value Purchase System
Framework Description
The Low Value Purchase System (LVPS, RM6237) is a dynamic purchasing system set up by the Government Commercial Agency (GCA, formerly Crown Commercial Service) under Part 4 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. It covers low-value, uncomplicated purchases of common goods and services below the procurement thresholds. It is a single-lot DPS that runs until 31 March 2027 and remains open to new suppliers until then.
Context & Use Case
Any public sector body can use the LVPS to award small contracts without advertising them on Contracts Finder, by direct award or mini competition. Buyers filter suppliers by goods or service type, postcode radius and SME or VCSE status, so local small businesses can appear in searches for nearby requirements. Contracts tend to be small, frequent and quick to award.
Scope of Services
Agricultural, forestry, fuel, energy, chemical and electrical products Security, fire-fighting and defence equipment Cleaning, refuse, sewage and environmental services Food, clothing, sports goods and other common goods Installation, transport, travel and hospitality services Education, training, research and translation services Recruitment (excluding education and healthcare) and IT services and support
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suppliers of every size, including SMEs, start-ups and voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations, can apply to join the LVPS at any time until 31 March 2027. It is one of the easier public sector routes for small local firms, as contracts are below threshold.
Buyer Benefits
Buyers can award small contracts quickly and compliantly without advertising them. Postcode and SME or VCSE filters help them find local suppliers and support social value targets, and the choice of direct award or mini competition fits the size of each requirement.
Next Steps
Register on the GCA DPS Marketplace from the agreement page (https://www.gca.gov.uk/agreements/RM6237) and select the categories and service areas you cover. Set your postcode radius to the area you can genuinely serve. With the LVPS ending on 31 March 2027, apply soon and watch GCA for news of what follows.
How Athena Can Help
With less than six months left on the LVPS, Athena can get you registered quickly. Our quick DPS registration help chooses categories and coverage, completes the application and checks it before submission, so you can start receiving invitations straight away.
Small contracts still need good answers. Our bid templates and short-form writing make mini competition responses fast, and our public sector bidding for SMEs helps you choose which other routes to pursue once the LVPS closes.
