Procurement Hub
Your essential procurement updates, information and changes in the law – all in one dedicated Information Hub.
Welcome to your Procurement Information Hub
Our dedicated Procurement Hub is designed to give you access to various online resources from our leading procurement experts to keep you updated on the transition to the new regime.
Whether you’re a contracting authority or a bidder frequently tendering for regulated contracts, our team of Procurement specialists are here to assist you through the transition. If our briefing notes do not fully answer your questions, please do get in touch.
Procurement Act Overview
The Procurement Act 2023 received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023. Whilst some provisions came into force on 19 January 2024, most of the Procurement Act came into effect for procurements started on or after 24 February 2025.
In practice, many of the good things that procurement teams and contracting authorities have been doing for many years will continue to be good practice. That said, there are important changes, various opportunities and a general need to make sure procurement documents are up to date, reflecting the new language and the new rules.
As a result, if they have not already done so, contracting authorities need to update their processes, procedures, and staff training to comply with the new rules with effect from that date.
Here are a few examples:
- The Act applies to new procurements. It does not apply to procurements that are already under way. But what about call-offs from existing frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems? We explain here in more detail how this works.
- There are now only two procedures. Authorities should not refer to competitive dialogue, dynamic purchasing or the restricted procedure.
- There are new selection questions.
- In most cases, authorities still need to hold a standstill period. The length of that period is slightly different. In practice authorities need to think carefully about what information they give to bidders.
- The remedies available to bidders who challenge procurement outcomes are the same in practice (though the terminology is Anglicised). However, the stakes may unintentionally now be higher due to the new rules about the automatic suspension.
- Procurers usually hand responsibility for contract management to the relevant internal department. The contract delivery phase is now more heavily regulated and it is important for procurement teams and relevant commissioning departments to work together to ensure this runs smoothly.
What’s the latest?
Key Dates
Commencement Details
- Effective Date: Most provisions will take effect on 24 February 2025. New rules apply to all procurements commenced after this date.
- Current Provisions: From 23 May 2024 Scottish Ministers can manage devolved Scottish procurement legislation under Sections 115(2), (3), and (4).
Transitional Provisions
- Existing Regime Continuation: Procurements or contracts “commenced” or awarded before 24 February 2025 will remain under the old Regulations.
- Validity Limits: Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) procured under the old regulations will have validity limits. If they do not terminate before then, they will automatically expire on 23 February 2029. Interestingly, there are no such automatic expiry provisions for framework.
Stay Informed
We’ll keep you updated with the latest insights and updates on the Procurement Act and subsequent legislation, case law and statutory guidance.
