Which procurement context does this definition belong to?
The Cabinet Office guidance explains how a supplier can satisfy conditions through an association with another supplier, for example a consortium or relevant subcontracting arrangement. It distinguishes the associated-person definition from the separate treatment of a guarantor.
This article is scoped to the Procurement Act 2023 guidance, not every UK transitional procurement or an Australian tender. Tender Glossary is independent and is not affiliated with the Cabinet Office. It is not legal advice; check the actual applicable regime and tender instructions.
Sources: Cabinet Office: Cabinet Office: Conditions of Participation guidance, updated 17 August 2026
What should the reliance register identify?
Begin with the precise participation condition and whose actual capacity is needed to satisfy it. A familiar logo, informal relationship or unrelated project example is not a substitute for the required evidence.
| Register field | Evidence to retain | Unresolved question |
|---|---|---|
| Condition | Actual tender requirement | What capacity is required? |
| Relying supplier | Bidder identity | Who is making the claim? |
| Other supplier | Verified entity reference | Whose capacity supports it? |
| Relationship | Actual consortium or supply arrangement | What delivery commitment supports reliance? |
| Evidence | Required material and authorization | Does it meet the stated request? |
| Disclosure | Actual submission and notice requirements | What must be declared and when? |
How can a named subcontractor be an incomplete answer?
Illustrative example. A fictional electrical bidder names a testing subcontractor and attaches a general capability page. The participation condition requires evidence of a particular technical ability. The response does not explain which part of that condition depends on the subcontractor or provide the required relationship and capacity evidence.
The reviewer links the exact condition to the proposed supplier's actual role and asks the bid owner to obtain the permitted evidence and legal review. The example does not decide that the bidder qualifies, that any company must be accepted or that a public capability page creates a binding commitment.
What must be checked before submission?
Reconcile the entities, allocated work, evidence permissions and actual declarations across the response. The guidance describes legally binding-arrangement considerations and possible authority directions where a relied-on subcontractor is involved. Obtain the actual contract and procurement advice rather than invent a universal template or assume a direct contract is always the only permitted structure.
Keep guarantor questions separate and escalate ambiguity through the authorized tender channel. Do not submit another organization's confidential information without permission. This register supports evidence assembly; it does not guarantee participation, award or acceptance of a proposed arrangement.
Common questions
What else should the bid team know?
Is every subcontractor automatically an associated person?
No. Check whether its capacity is being relied on for the participation conditions.
Does the definition here include someone who is to act as a guarantor?
The cited associated-person definition excludes that role; other rules can still apply.
Does this guide apply unchanged to Australian tenders?
No. Check the actual jurisdiction and procurement regime.