Crown Commercial Service (CCS) has confirmed an extension to its Spark – The Technology Innovation Marketplace dynamic purchasing system (DPS). The DPS now runs until 15 February 2029, following use of a 27-month extension, and CCS states there is no need to increase the overall estimated value based on spend profiling.
For technology suppliers, this extension matters because it keeps open a structured route to compete for innovative work across central government and the wider public sector. Unlike many traditional frameworks, a DPS remains open for suppliers to apply and join during its lifetime (subject to meeting the selection criteria). That can create a meaningful second chance for organisations that missed the initial window, or that have since matured their proposition.
What the Spark DPS is for
CCS describes Spark as a DPS that enables buyers to procure an extensive range of innovative technology products and services. In practical terms, suppliers are not “awarded work” just by being admitted to the DPS. Instead, appointed suppliers are invited to bid for specific requirements via a call for competition when a buyer publishes an opportunity through the system.
CCS also highlights four distinct “service filters” used within the DPS:
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subject or problem area
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delivery method (technology type)
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geographical location
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security level
That matters for two reasons. First, your offer needs to be described in a way that maps cleanly to how buyers will search and filter. Second, you may want to prioritise the parts of the DPS where your proposition is strongest, rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
Key facts suppliers should note
The Find a Tender notice includes several helpful commercial and operational details:
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End date: 15 February 2029
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Estimated value (ex VAT): £650,000,000
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No lots: the contract is not divided into lots
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How to access documents and apply: suppliers are directed to the CCS eSourcing portal at the supplier registration DPS site
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DUNS number requirement: suppliers must have a valid DUNS number for the organisation applying
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No guaranteed spend: CCS notes there is no minimum spend and no exclusivity under the DPS
It is also worth noting the very broad range of CPV codes listed (spanning hardware, software, IT services, telecoms and more). That breadth suggests buyers may use Spark for anything from early stage prototyping through to more developed technology deployments, depending on their objectives and appetite for innovation.
What to do now if you want to participate
Position your offer for how buyers search
With Spark’s filter-led approach, clarity is a scoring factor even before you bid. Make sure your service descriptions, case studies and capability statements align to the problem areas you solve and the delivery methods you use (for example data, connectivity, AI, sensors, platforms, managed services). If your solution requires higher assurance, be explicit about the security level you can support.
Prepare for “mini competitions”
Call-offs can move quickly. The strongest Spark suppliers tend to have a reusable evidence pack ready, so they are not rewriting fundamentals under deadline pressure. That pack typically includes delivery methodology, governance, implementation planning, risk management, information security, relevant accreditations, and measurable outcomes from previous work.
If your team is newer to this route, our guide on Dynamic Markets in procurement explains how DPS style procurement is evolving and what that means for suppliers.
Plan your bid resource like a pipeline, not a one-off
Because Spark competitions arrive as individual calls, you need a repeatable internal process: triage, bid/no bid, writing, review, and final checks. For many tech suppliers, the biggest constraint is not technical capability, it is response capacity.
Thornton & Lowe can help you build that repeatability through our IT tenders bid writing support, from bid strategy and win themes to writing and review.
How Thornton & Lowe can support your Spark DPS approach
Whether you are applying to join the DPS or aiming to win more call-offs, we can support in practical ways:
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DPS entry support: clarifying selection criteria responses and building a compliant, buyer-friendly capability narrative
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Bid readiness: creating an evidence library tailored to the kinds of Spark competitions you expect
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Call-off bid delivery: structured bid management, writing and quality reviews aligned to evaluation criteria
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Positioning and messaging: ensuring your offer is easy for buyers to understand, compare and score
The extension to February 2029 means Spark remains a live route to market for innovative technology. The suppliers that benefit most will be those who treat it as an always-on pipeline, with the foundations in place before the next call for competition appears.
