Transforming Public Procurement – planning and preparation checklist
Updated 13 November 2023
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1. Getting ready for the new Procurement Act
What contracting authorities can do now to help prepare themselves for the forthcoming changes
The Procurement Bill will introduce the most significant changes to the way public sector organisations buy goods and services for a generation. Although these changes will not come into force until October 2024, and with a six month advance preparation period, contracting authorities can start planning now to ensure they are ready to take advantage of the new regime.
There are four areas where early consideration and action will get contracting authorities in the best shape to hit the ground running:
1.1 Processes and policies
- make sure your current processes and procedures are robust on areas such as pre-market engagement and supplier evaluation/assessment, with governance documents that record key decisions
1.2 Systems
- familiarise yourself with the document ‘Transforming Public Procurement - Our Transparency Ambition’(PDF, 17.5MB) which outlines our proposals to improve transparency of UK public contracts and spending
- consider the readiness of your organisation to meet the new data requirements, including where data currently resides in your existing e-procurement systems
1.3 People
- in line with information we’ve provided about the learning and development offer, think about who in your organisation should attend the training
- make contact with your departmental or sectoral lead for Transforming Public Procurement or email procreformspocs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk if you would like to become an L&D superuser
- consider the procurement and contract management capability across your organisation, and consider benchmarking your organisation against relevant commercial and procurement operating standards and other comparable organisations, in line with the National Procurement Policy Statement
1.4 Transition
- ensure contract registers and details are up to date
- conduct a review of pipelines to identify planned procurement activity over the next 18 months
- engage with your key supply chain about the new regime (direct them to the Transforming Public Procurement landing page at gov.uk for further information)