What is Changing?
A new set of procurement regulations are being introduced to replace those currently in place. The new regulations will be known as the ‘Procurement Act 2023’. The new Regulations will apply from 24th February 2025 (not October 2024 as originally intended) and will change how public procurement is carried out to improve the way supplies, services and works are procured for the public sector.
View the UK Parliament Ministerial Statement (external link) confirming the change to the commencement date of the new Regulations. The additional time ahead of commencement will also allow for the introduction of a new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) by the Government which will set out their priorities for public procurement.
The new ‘Central Digital Platform’
Suppliers will be able to register on the platform from 24th February 2025 and it will be free to access. The Central Digital Platform will be accessed by suppliers on the GOV.UK Find a Tender website.
View this factsheet explaining how the Central Digital Platform will work (external link).
Video guides and accompanying guidance documents to help suppliers to register on the platform are available through the Government's Transforming Public Procurement supplier page (external link).
The videos/guides cover the following topics:
- How to register your organisation and first administrator on Find a Tender in three easy steps
- Detailed walkthrough - how an administrator completes and updates supplier information
- How to use the central digital platform (enhanced Find a Tender service) a short guide for everyone.
The Central Digital Platform is a single place for suppliers to register and upload key business information typically asked by Wigan Council and other public-sector bodies. Features will include:
- Reduced duplication and resources used to tender
- The ability to set up custom searches and receive alerts
- It will be free to access
- Suppliers will need to keep their details up to date.
Please note that Wigan Council will still use The Chest procurement portal to advertise its notices, receive bids from suppliers and manage its procurement activities. However, suppliers will also need to register on the Central Digital Platform and provide their key business information, as this information will be needed as part of submitting their bid for tenders where this information is required.
Helpful Resources for Suppliers
There is a dedicated information page for suppliers (external link) on the GOV.UK website providing information and guidance for suppliers on the Procurement Act 2023. This includes a short guide for suppliers (external link) as well as the resources below.
Videos / animations
Videos are available for Suppliers and Suppliers classed as Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME's) and Community Sector Enterprises (VCSE's) on GOV.UK (external link).
Knowledge Drops
There are a series of Knowledge Drops (external link) for suppliers and SME’s/VCSE’s which are designed to provide a high-level overview of the changes to the regulations.
There are 3 Knowledge Drops for Suppliers and 3 Knowledge Drops for SME’s/VCSE’s covering a variety of topics. Topics covered include the new Central Digital Platform, Early Market Engagement, changes to procurement procedures, new Open Frameworks and Dynamic Markets, commitments around prompt supplier payment and the Act’s transparency ambition and notice publication requirements, amongst other areas.
How Can Suppliers Prepare for the new Regulations?
- You should seek to understand the main changes
- Register/submit your business information on the Central Digital Platform when this becomes available
- Review our pipelines on our Business and Tendering webpage
- Identify how your organisation can contribute to national and local procurement priorities and Social Value objectives (such as job creation, upskilling of the workforce and net carbon zero)
- Visit our Community Wealth Building webpages.
Where can Suppliers Obtain More Information?
You will find most of the information summarised the Transforming Public Procurement webpage (external link) on GOV.UK, where suppliers can check for regular updates.
You can receive regular updates by signing up to the mailing list (external link).