Navigating the New Procurement Landscape: The Procurement Act 2023 & it’s Impact on Suppliers in the UK

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In today’s ever-evolving business environment, staying abreast of regulatory changes is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive. The Procurement Act 2023 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of procurement regulations in the United Kingdom. Designed to foster transparency, fairness, and efficiency in public sector procurement, this legislation has significant implications for suppliers engaging in public sector contracts. Here are some key highlights.

  • There will be a Central Digital Platform (CDP) for suppliers to register and store their details so that they can be used for multiple bids and see all opportunities in one place. Hopefully, simplified bidding processes will make it easier to bid, negotiate and work in partnership with the public sector.
  • There will be demonstrations on this CDP from May 2024 onwards.
  • There will be prompt payment for more businesses in public sector supply chains. And a stronger exclusions framework will take tougher action on underperforming suppliers.
  • Small and medium-sized businesses welcome the changes too. They know procurers will have to consider the barriers facing smaller businesses and that obstacles will be removed around provision of accounts and insurance at the bidding stage.
  • There will be a much bigger focus on pre market engagement so as suppliers this is a critical stage to get involved in.
  • Greater transparency with publications on pipeline activity for higher spend thresholds
  • More flexibility on process and procedures
  • Social Value is still especially important, and the Social Value Model is still applicable to procurements.
  • Suppliers are now required to demonstrate how their proposals contribute to broader social and environmental objectives.
  • Incorporating social value considerations into bid submissions can provide suppliers with a competitive edge, as public sector buyers increasingly prioritise sustainability and community impact.
  • A Procurement Review Unit has been established with three strands – Compliance which will investigate non-compliance issues, Review – free and impartial process for suppliers to raise queries and issues and to provide support reducing challenge, non-conformance etc. and Debarment – consideration around supplier exclusion and debarment lists.

For more information, please see the following link https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/transforming-public-procurement and contact Laura Davies – Director or Supplier Services at Value Match – Laura.Davies@value-match.co.uk