A dynamic purchasing system (DPS/DPS) is in many ways similar to a qualification scheme or a framework agreement, and is used by all public procurers. The main advantage for both suppliers and procurers is avoiding a demanding supplier qualification for every single competition, and instead doing it once beforehand.
Simply put, this is a scheme you apply to join, where you must meet a set of qualification requirements to be approved. As long as you meet the qualification requirements, you must be approved. You then get access to a separate marketplace for bids, where only pre-qualified suppliers can submit bids.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the advantage of joining a dynamic purchasing system?
You get access to competitions from large procurers within the utilities sector, who do not announce all competitions openly to everyone.
Which procurers issue competitions in a dynamic purchasing system?
Most public procurers use dynamic purchasing systems when they need to purchase standardized goods or services.
What types of competitions are issued in dynamic purchasing systems?
It is usually purchases of standardized goods or services that are issued.
For goods, this can typically be furniture, office supplies, white goods, PCs and other electronic equipment, medicines, medical consumables, and standard building materials like cement and asphalt.
For services, it can typically be auditing assignments, training and education assignments, transport assignments, security services, cleaning services, translation services, craft services, or consultancy assistance under the procurer's authority.
What does it cost to join a dynamic purchasing system?
It is completely free to join a dynamic purchasing system, cf. the Public Procurement Regulations §26-4 fifth paragraph.
When is the deadline to join a dynamic purchasing system?
There is no deadline to apply, and you can become a member as long as the scheme exists.
How do I find a dynamic purchasing system in Cobrief?
In Cobrief, all relevant dynamic purchasing systems will appear in your Inbox and can be filtered by selecting the sub-item 'Schemes' in the left-hand menu.
How do I work with competitions from dynamic purchasing systems in Cobrief?
Once you have been accepted into a scheme, you will receive notifications from the procurer when competitions are announced. To work on them in Cobrief, you create a private bid, as explained here.
What is the difference between a dynamic purchasing system and a qualification scheme?
Both schemes have much in common, where one must apply and meet a set of qualification requirements. These are the main differences:
Qualification schemes are only found within the utilities sector, while dynamic purchasing systems can be used by everyone (including the utilities sector).
Qualification schemes can be used for all types of purchases, while dynamic purchasing systems are generally used for more standardized purchases.
A fee may be required to join a qualification scheme, while dynamic purchasing systems must be free to join.
What is the difference between a dynamic purchasing system and a framework agreement?
Framework agreements and dynamic purchasing systems are both intended to pre-qualify suppliers before individual purchases. These are the main differences:
To join a framework agreement, you must win the framework agreement competition itself, whereas in a dynamic purchasing system, anyone who meets the requirements is allowed to join.
A framework agreement is announced like a regular competition with a deadline, while a dynamic purchasing system is open for the entire period, usually several years.
Framework agreements can be used for all types of competitions, while dynamic purchasing systems are used for the purchase of standardized goods ('off-the-shelf' items) and standardized services.
The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ) has also written a comprehensive article on dynamic purchasing systems and their comparison with framework agreements, where you can see all the differences. They have also written an article about framework agreements in general.