Knowledge Drop for Contracting Authorities Part 1 of 6

Summary

The video script offers an in-depth look at the Procurement Act 2023, focusing on its purpose and impact on Contracting authorities. It outlines the Act's new objectives, emphasizing flexibility, transparency, and maximizing public benefit. The series aims to improve understanding of the Act's key changes, benefits, and the need for collaborative implementation across organizations, including specific guidance for SMEs and compliance with international obligations.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Procurement Act 2023 is a new legislation aimed at simplifying and modernizing public procurement processes in the UK, providing greater flexibility and innovation.
• 🏛 It applies to Contracting Authorities across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and those with reserved functions in Scotland, with some exemptions for specific sectors and contracts.
• 💡 The Act emphasizes the importance of transparency, integrity, and equal treatment of suppliers, as well as the need for Contracting Authorities to consider the impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• 🌐 Post-Brexit, the UK has an opportunity to redefine its procurement rules, focusing on increased flexibility, innovation, and broader value for money, while maintaining international obligations such as the WTO GPA.
• 💼 The Act introduces new procurement objectives, including delivering value for money, maximizing public benefit, transparency, acting with integrity, and treating suppliers equally.
• 🔍 Contracting Authorities must consider the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) and Wales Procurement Policy Statement (WPPS) when undertaking procurements, aligning with national and local strategic priorities.
• 🔄 The Act allows for greater collaboration between Contracting Authorities and suppliers, encouraging the sharing of information and the consideration of social value benefits in procurement decisions.
• 🚀 The Act is designed to drive cultural and behavioral change within organizations, requiring a collaborative approach across various departments, including procurement, finance, and project management.
• 🛡️ There are specific exemptions and light-touch regimes for certain utilities, defense, security, and healthcare contracts, reflecting the unique requirements of these sectors.
• 🛍️ The Act maintains compliance with international obligations, ensuring UK businesses have access to global procurement opportunities and reciprocal market access.
• 📈 The Act is expected to improve access to opportunities for businesses, especially SMEs, and drive social, environmental, and economic benefits on a local and national scale.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Procurement Act 2023?

The Procurement Act 2023 aims to provide an overview of the legislation, increase flexibility in the procurement process, encourage innovation, improve transparency, and take a broader approach to value for money for the UK taxpayer, while also driving greater social, environmental, and economic benefits on a local and national scale.

Who is the target audience for the Procurement Act 2023 knowledge drop series?

The target audience includes organizational leaders in Contracting authorities, those who oversee functions with commercial and procurement teams, and individuals involved in the management of contracts or suppliers.

What are the key changes introduced by the Procurement Act 2023 compared to previous regulations?

The Procurement Act 2023 introduces a shorter, more simplified set of rules that offer Contracting authorities greater flexibility to undertake procurement activities that are fit for purpose and meet organizational needs as well as local and national objectives.

How does the Procurement Act 2023 support cultural and behavioral change within organizations?

The Act requires executive and political leaders, project managers, finance colleagues, and those involved in tender processes or contract management to understand the changes it brings, enabling them to work more effectively with procurement or commercial colleagues to embed the changes across the organization.

What is the geographical scope of the Procurement Act 2023?

The Procurement Act 2023 applies to Contracting authorities in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and to those with reserved functions in Scotland. However, the Scottish government will continue to have its own legislation for devolved Scottish authorities.

Are there any specific exemptions to the Procurement Act 2023?

Yes, certain utilities, defense and security, and health care contracts are exempt from some requirements of the Procurement Act 2023, reflecting and building upon exemptions provided in previous regulations.

Why was a new Procurement Act needed?

The new Procurement Act was needed following the UK's exit from the EU to transform public procurement rules, increasing flexibility, and being more innovative while ensuring compliance with international obligations such as the WTO GPA.

Who does the Procurement Act apply to?

The Procurement Act applies to Contracting authorities, which are defined as public authorities, public undertakings, or private utilities, typically including central government departments, local authorities, NHS trusts, schools, universities, housing associations, and health bodies.

What are the new procurement objectives introduced by the Procurement Act 2023?

The new procurement objectives include delivering value for money, maximizing public benefit, ensuring transparency, acting with integrity, treating suppliers equally, and having regard to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) participation.

What is the role of the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS) and the Wales Procurement Policy Statement (WPPS)?

The NPPS and WPPS set out the national and strategic priorities for public procurement, which Contracting authorities must consider alongside local priorities when carrying out procurements.

How can Contracting authorities ensure they are compliant with the Procurement Act 2023?

Contracting authorities should review the relevant fact sheets, understand the exemptions, and consider the procurement objectives and policy statements in their procurement processes. They should also engage in further resources and training to support implementation of the Act.