The Procurement Act 2023

There is one thing all suppliers need to do by February 2025.

The procurement Act 2023 is transforming public procurement, and our colleagues in the buying community have been getting to grips with a huge number of changes that aim to streamline and modernise public sector procurement.

Registration on the Central Digital Platform will be mandatory for suppliers

From the supplier side, registration on a new central digital platform will be mandatory for all public sector procurement once the Act goes live, which is currently scheduled for February 24th, 2025. If you can’t generate a code from the system, you won’t be able to participate in public sector bids.

Don’t panic (yet!)

The information required to register includes basic company and financial information, connected persons (i.e. persons with significant control) and a bunch of exclusion tick boxes.

When can I register?

Registration isn’t open yet, and unfortunately there is not going to be any migration from existing Find a Tender Service registrations. Buyer organisations will be registering from late January 2025. No date has been provided yet as to when suppliers can access the system.

Is the Central Digital Platform replacing portals?

In a word – no. Portals – or “E- Senders” as they will be known going forward will continue to play a key part in the bidding process.

What do I need to do now?

You should check out the latest Government guidance found here and register for the newsletter sign up here. This means you will get access to the guidance and support material promised closer to the launch date.

It’s not that difficult...

The information required to register is straightforward, especially if you are familiar with the Standard Selection Questionnaire. But if you would like some support or want to know more about the Procurement Act, please contact me. donald.proud@caslockeconsult.co.uk