08 October, 2026
Guidance GN 1.6 Appendix 1 for using Design contests has been published by the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The primary aim of design contests is to foster innovation, but they may also be used to promote participation in the delivery of public infrastructure. This involves drawing responses from multiple design teams, rather than only engaging a single design team, and is judged on the best response to the project brief.
Design contests can level the playing field and promote participation in public works projects by firms who have not engaged with traditional procurement pathways. This might be because they lack a track record in public works, are relatively newly established, or lack the capacity levels currently sought.
This work supports the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, under Action 25 Procurement Process Reform: Providing changes to the Capital Works Management Framework to include Design Contests.
Guidance Note GN 1.6 Appendix 1 can be found here: GN 1.6 Procurement Process for Consultancy Services (Technical)