Coronavirus update

20 Mar 2020 12:06 PM

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak presents us with exceptional circumstances. Authorities may need to procure goods, services and works with extreme urgency.

The UK government Cabinet Office is producing a series of procurement policy notes (PPNs) setting out information and associated guidance on the public procurement regulations and responding to the outbreak.

The guidance will address issues including:

• urgent procurements
• force majeure (unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract)
• frustrations
• changes to contract
• temporary interruptions
• supplier relief
• insurance
• property
• facilities management contracts
• litigation
• disputes.

As these are published, we will review them and make them available to the Welsh public sector. The first PPN is available here:

Procurement policy note 01/20: Responding to COVID-19 on GOV.UK

Please use this guidance so that we take all opportunities to use public procurement to support people and businesses across Wales.

We will update you on the impacts of the virus on procurement as our work progresses. If you have any questions please email: COVID-19.Procurement@gov.wales