UK16 Notices Explained: What Suppliers Need to Know About Dynamic Market Cessation Notices

What is a Dynamic Market Cessation Notice?

A UK16 notice, formally a ‘Dynamic Market Cessation Notice’ under section 39(5) of the Procurement Act 2023, must be published as soon as reasonably practicable after a Dynamic Market ceases to operate. It’s the fourth and final stage of dynamic market notices, following the UK13 intention notice, UK14 establishment notice, and any UK15 modification notices published during the market’s life.

Regulation 25(8) sets out what it must contain, and it’s a deliberately short, factual notice rather than a detailed one:

• Basic administrative information identifying the Dynamic Market and the contracting authority
• The date on which the Dynamic Market ceased to operate

When are Dynamic Market Cessation Notices Published?

UK16s are published once a contracting authority’s Dynamic Market has actually stopped operating.

• As soon as reasonably practicable after cessation: The Act requires prompt publication once the market has ceased to operate, rather than in advance of closure.
• The final stage for that market: Once a UK16 is published for a given Dynamic Market, no further dynamic market notices will follow for it – any future activity in that category would need a new market, with its own UK13.

How can Suppliers use Dynamic Market Cessation Notices?

A UK16 is worth tracking closely if you hold membership on the market in question, or rely on it for repeat opportunities.

• Treat it as confirmation the route has closed: Once published, the Dynamic Market itself is no longer a live route to opportunities – any further procurements from that authority in the category will need a different route to market.
• Watch for a successor market: Authorities that close one Dynamic Market will sometimes establish a new one to replace it – keep an eye out for a related UK13 or UK14 notice from the same authority.
• Use the cessation date for your own records: Since the notice itself is brief, use the confirmed cessation date to update your own tracking of which markets you’re still an active member of.

Why are Dynamic Market Cessation Notices used?

UK16 notices exist to close out the transparency obligations that began with a market’s establishment, giving suppliers a clear, dated confirmation that a route to market no longer exists.

• Provides clear closure: Suppliers can stop monitoring or investing effort in a market that’s confirmed as no longer operating.
• Completes the transparency cycle: Together, UK13 to UK16 notices give suppliers visibility across the full life of a Dynamic Market – from mandatory intention, through establishment and any modifications, to eventual, clearly dated closure.

In Summary

A UK16 notice brings a Dynamic Market’s lifecycle to a close, confirming the date it stopped operating. It’s a short, factual notice – but for suppliers who’ve relied on a market for repeat opportunities, it’s worth tracking closely, and worth checking for a successor market from the same authority.