Welcome to the October 2024 edition of Procurement in Profile.
The procurement landscape continues to move beneath our feet – not least because of the change of government over the summer. With the recent announcement that the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 23) is being deferred until 24 February 2025, we take a deep breath and take stock of current procurement trends – and think about where they are going next.
As ever, this edition of PIP is chock full of insight and resources to keep you fully informed. This edition includes our regular Procurement Update Webinar, a look at the increasing role that the public sector is playing in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure and an examination of the new government's plans for staff under outsourced contracts.
With the delay to PA 23 implementation, procurement practitioners have an extra four months to get ready for procurement reform. This provides an extended opportunity to make the most of our articles, webinars, Essential Guide, Jargon Buster and Flowcharts, which give you everything you need to be prepared.
As the nights draw in, the conference season continues in full flow. We will be out and about discussing all aspects of procurement in the coming months. Our confirmed speaking engagement are listed below – please do join us!
List of articles
In our regular procurement update webinar, Charlotte Clayson, Andrea Leigh and Louis Sebastian explain recent developments in case law and guidance, and dive into the new Debarment and Exclusion regime under PA 23.
Powering progress: Navigating EV infrastructure expansion
Louis Sebastian and Amardeep Gill look at key legal and commercial issues as highways authorities look to procure Charge Point Operators to roll out Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure.
Procurement Act 2023 – reform and what it means to your organisation
Rebecca Rees provides an overview of the key provisions for finance teams contained in PA 23 (accompanied by John Wallace – Director of Procurement, Clarion Housing Group (the Cabinet Office's Housing Sector Single Point of Contact).
The new government's plans for staff under outsourced contracts
Laura Welchew and Rebecca McGuirk look at Labour's manifesto pledges, and how procurement and outsourcing practices may change for the employees involved.
Procurement Act 2023 – implementation and guidance
Stuart Brown and Greg Barton discuss what guidance the Cabinet Office have released to assist contracting authorities with preparing for the implementation of the Act.
Procurement Act 2023 readiness
Preparations for the New Procurement Act 2023
The PA 23 received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023: Partner and Head of Public Procurement, Rebecca Rees, provides a run-down of essential steps needed to get ready.
Essential Guide to the Procurement Act 2023
Our detailed guide to the PA 23 provides an overview of the key changes to the procurement landscape – vital reading as we await further secondary legislation and guidance.
Procurement Act 2023 – Notices flowchart
This flowchart explains in plain language the requirements in relation to notices under the PA 23, setting out where a contracting authority may be expected and/or required to publish notices in relation to procurement activity.
Procurement Act 2023 – Jargon buster
Our jargon buster sets out some of the key terms under the PA 23, what they were referred to under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, and in plain language what they are.
Webinar: Procurement Act 2023 – 10 things you need to know!
Rebecca Rees and Lucy James explain the fundamentals of the PA 23 and how to get ready.
Procurement on Demand
Our series of bite-sized webinars continues – looking in detail at specific aspects of the PA 23.
Come and see us!
We will be out and about discussing all things procurement in the coming months – do come and join us:
- Matt Whelan will be speaking about Artificial Intelligence at the NHF Audit & Risk Conference on 6 November 2024
- Louis Sebastian and Amardeep Gill will be at the Lawyers in Local Government Governance Conference, hosted at Trowers' London Offices, on 13 December 2024
- SEC Conference – Sarah Monaghan and Rebecca Rees, "Follow the Yellow Brick Road of Procurement" – 16 October at London Stadium
- Social Value Portal's "Social Value Conference and Awards 2024" – 17 October 2024 – "Social Value in Action - " The Procurement Act - Making it real’’
- Inside Housing Procurement Act webinar – 13 November 2024
- Homes 2024 – 27 November - Adapting to change under the new Procurement Act
