Read details of the Government's new e-notification service, a Green Paper on the future of UK public procurement, and more freedoms for public bodies who want to work with SMEs and VCSEs
Published 6 January 2021
Last updated 6 January 2021
The Cabinet Office issued a number of Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs) in December to support public sector organisations in preparing for the UK’s exit from the EU, as well as launching a consultation into the future of public procurement.
Find a Tender service
Find a Tender Service (FTS) is the new UK e-notification service where notices for new procurements must now be published. It replaces OJEU / TED.
The Cabinet Office recently introduced FTS in the first of two PPNs (08/20) – this sets out changes to procurement processes which now apply following the end of the transition period.
If you are involved in publishing OJEUs and started a procurement before the end of the transition period, please continue to publish your subsequent notices and conclude your procurement on OJEU / TED. You must still also publish details of the contract award to Contracts Finder.
Reserving below threshold procurements
Following the UK’s exit from the EU, contracting bodies now have more choices in relation to contract spend on goods, services and works contracts with a value below applicable thresholds:
- Supplies & Services – £122,976
- Works – £4,733,252
PPN 11/20 sets out new options available to contacting authorities including reserving procurements by supplier location, and reserving for SMEs or Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). Please remember that in applying the policy it is important that your organisation achieves value for money and uses good commercial judgement.
Green paper – Transforming Public Procurement
The Government has also launched a consultation on the future of public procurement in the UK.
The Government wants to speed up and simplify our procurement processes, place value for money at their heart, and unleash opportunities for small businesses, charities and social enterprises to innovate in public service delivery.
Please take your chance to engage with the consultation and help us to shape the future of public procurement in the UK.