The Procurement Act 2023 will come into force from October 2024 and it will change how public sector organisations procure services. If your work streams are based on such clients, you will probably have seen changes and requests for information where buyers are starting to implement compliance processes. If you are looking to become a supplier to such clients, then understanding the requirements of the Act will be essential, so that your business is ready. If you are unaware of  and unprepared for the forthcoming changes, then your public sector work stream may be at risk.

There is plenty of information, including videos, from the Cabinet office , leader of the Transforming Public Procurement programme, on the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/transforming-public-procurement

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMln_FclCKM

Some of the benefits of the new regime include the following, but it is recommended that companies familiarise themselves with and understand the changes resulting from the Act, so they can position their businesses accordingly:

• A central platform to register and to store your core business details; for use in multiple bids.
• Improved transparency and access to information. (All public procurement opportunities published in one place to simplify searching for procurements of interest).
• Better visibility of procurement plans, engagement events and tender opportunities
• Greater visibility on  details, bidders and winners of  large public sector contracts (above £5 million)
• Simplified bidding processes to make it easier to bid, negotiate and work in partnership with the public sector-including a new ‘competitive flexible’ procedure.
• More flexible frameworks, so prospective suppliers are not shut out for long periods of time.
• A new duty on contracting authorities to have regard to and try to overcome the particular barriers facing SMEs through the procurement life cycle (“leveling the playing field”)
• Strengthened provisions for prompt payment throughout the supply chain (SMEs to benefit from 30-day payment terms on a broader range of public sector contracts.)
• A stronger exclusion system to take tougher action on underperforming suppliers

Article provided by Jo Strange, Technical Director, CGL