The Procurement Act 2023 – What Suppliers Need to Know

Are you a supplier bidding and competing for public sector contracts? This short article outlines key changes in the Procurement Act 2023 and explains how you can stay compliant.

The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, introduces significant reforms to public procurement in the UK. It aims to simplify processes, increase transparency, and reduce the barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and new entrants to compete more effectively for public sector contracts.

🔎The Key Changes at a Glance:

• Simplified Framework: The Act replaces all EU-based procurement laws with a more flexible and transparent system that makes bidding easier for suppliers
• Centralised Platform: The upgraded GOV.UK ‘Find a Tender’ service has become the single source for finding, tracking, and bidding on public contracts
• New Procurement Procedures: The new ‘Competitive Flexible Procedure’ offers buyers more freedom to tailor procurement to their needs and contracts
• Improved Market Engagement: New early engagement notices provide suppliers with better intel to improve bid qualification and capture strategies
• Open Frameworks: New open frameworks enable buyers to re-open contracts and reduce the risk of locking suppliers out for long periods of time
• Tougher Exclusion Grounds: New exclusion grounds enable buyers to take tougher action against underperforming suppliers and those that pose unacceptable risks
• Enhanced Social Value: New issue of the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) highlights the importance of value for money and SME inclusion
• Better Feedback Mechanisms: There are new requirements for buyers to provide mandatory feedback to suppliers as part of tender evaluations, including assessment summaries.

✅Supplier Checklist for Compliance:

Now that you are aware of the changes, here’s what to do next –

• Register on the new GOV.UK ‘Find a Tender’ platform to show up as a supplier and input core business details (create a ‘One Login’ account to register using the following link https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search)
• Remain agile and ready to respond to new procurement procedures that may demand new bid strategies or capabilities
• Take advantage of early engagement intel to improve bid qualification and capture strategies
• Review current contracts and frameworks and understand when and how they will re-open under the new regime
• Understand new exclusion grounds and address any performance or compliance gaps
• Review social value policies and performance to ensure alignment with new priorities
• Use new feedback mechanisms to refine and improve future bids and boost win rates
• Stay updated! Keep an eye on official guidance and updates as the new rules take shape. GOV.UK offer Guidance Documents covering all aspects of the Act to provide technical guidance and support with interpretation and understanding (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents).

Need help navigating these changes? Get in touch with our friendly Pipster team for tailored support – whether its compliance, bid strategy, or simply making sense of the changes!