Procurement Act 2023 – a practical introduction

A two-day programme

The UK public procurement regulations have been governed by the European Union since the first unified set of regulations were introduced in 1995. In 2020 the UK exited the EU and set about formulating its own set of public procurement regulations which would be more suited to the country and its socio-political policy aims and objectives. Extolled as being the most extensive change to public procurement in generations, the Procurement Act 2023 introduced new approaches to procurement and contract management.

This course is designed specifically for those who work with (or in) the UK public sector and need to understand how the new legislation affects them.

Understand the background of the EU-based Regulations and why the new UK Procurement Act was introduced
Appreciate the principles and objectives of the Procurement Act, including the requirement for value for money, transparency, integrity and the due regard for smaller businesses
Understand the new procurement procedures – Open, Competitive, Flexible and Direct Award

Understand the derogations associated with defence and security, and healthcare, social care and education procurement
Understand how the Act places value for money at the heart and gives opportunities for all businesses, charities and social enterprises to innovate in the context of public service delivery
Appreciate how to implement the Act in practice in some of the key areas of change

Who should attend?

This course is designed for teams on either side of the fence – those who work in the UK public sector, and suppliers who will be bidding into the public sector – who need to understand how the legislation affects them.

Format

This two-day programme can be delivered on-site or virtually.

Special features

The majority of the training we deliver is either tailored or completely bespoke.

Expert trainer

Sharon Croome spent more than 25 years with the Ministry of Defence and various UK-based major contractors before setting up her own consultancy in commercial, procurement and supply chain management.

Session outline

1. Introduction

2. Fundamentals of public sector procurement: The Regulations

3. What’s new?

An introductory overview of the key differences between the previous Regulations and the new Act, including:
5 Regulations into one
5 procurement procedures into three
Changes to Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems
Changes to Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems
Transparency
Debarment
Contract management and KPIs
Social Value