After delays due to the change of government last year, big changes to UK government tender processes are being implemented from 24th February 2025 via the Procurement Act 2023, revolutionising the way public contracts are awarded and managed. The Act combines various separate procurement regimes into a single, comprehensive platform. This includes public contracts, utilities contracts, concession contracts, and defence and security contracts, which previously fell under different regulations.
The Act shifts the focus of procurement objectives from the previous European Directives to UK-centric priorities. The key considerations now include delivering value for money, maximising public benefit and ensuring integrity in procurement processes. Contracting authorities will need to treat suppliers equally unless justified differences exist.
Here are some of the most noteworthy changes:
Introduction of a new Central Digital Platform (CDP)
The CDP will manage and monitor all future tenders, featuring an enhanced version of the Find a Tender Service (FTS) and a new Supplier Information Service (SIS) to improve accessibility and transparency. The long-term goal is to offer personalised notices of opportunities for suppliers that match their business objectives and market expertise. The CDP will also provide better post-award analysis by ensuring good consistent feedback for all bidders and the publication of KPIs for contracts over £5m to ensure good oversight of in-flight delivery of projects.
Streamlined Framework Processes
The Act aims to remove barriers for smaller businesses, promoting competition and innovation. This includes simplifying the procurement process, enabling wider participation, and reducing administrative burdens. New policies will also mean that commercial frameworks will be more open to allow new entrants…no long periods where suppliers are shut-out of existing frameworks! The Act also has provisions for prompt 30-day payment terms to directly support smaller SMEs with the procurement pipeline.
Greater Oversight
The Act will establish a new Procurement Review Unit (PRU) to ensure adherence to the Procurement Act and safeguarding public procurement from suppliers that pose unacceptable risk via an implementation of a new debarment register. There will also be a new Procurement Compliance Service (PCS) which will monitor the performance of contracting authorities. The PRU will build upon the existing Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS) where concerns regarding public procurement are addressed such as late payment and procedural disputes.
Additional resources:
You can access the videos through a dedicated GOV.UK supplier page: Transforming Public Procurement - information and guidance for suppliers, where you will also find links to the associated user manuals.
You can also access each of the videos directly using the links below:
For suppliers: How to register your organisation and first administrator on Find a Tender in three easy steps
For suppliers: detailed walkthrough - how an administrator completes and updates supplier information
For buyers and suppliers: How to use the central digital platform (enhanced Find a Tender service) a short guide for everyone
