In the UK, public procurement is essential to providing high-quality public services. Companies wishing to work with public sector organisations must know who the key players in public procurement are. These players administer public contracts, establish procurement regulations, and influence the procurement environment. Through customised insights and tender notifications that link them to public sector contract possibilities and government procurement organisations, Tracker Intelligence assists suppliers in navigating this difficult market.
Understanding Public Procurement in the UK
The process by which public sector organisations purchase products, services, and labour is known as public procurement. Procurement laws in the United Kingdom are intended to guarantee value for money, competition, and transparency. One important step in changing public procurement is the recently adopted Procurement Act 2023, which supersedes the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Understanding these changes, as well as the responsibilities of contracting bodies, can help suppliers compete in public procurement.
Central Government Procurement Bodies
Crown Commercial Service (CCS)
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) acts as the UK’s central procurement authority. It manages national framework agreements, offering public sector organisations access to pre-approved suppliers and streamlined procurement procedures. CCS plays a pivotal role in delivering better value across government departments and ensuring compliance with procurement policy.
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office is essential in setting government procurement policies and implementing reforms such as the Procurement Act 2023. To ensure that public sector procurement delivers high-quality public services, it promotes strategic procurement operations and supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Local Government Procurement Authorities
Local Authorities and Councils
Purchasing products and services at the community level, such as education, social care, and infrastructure projects, falls under the purview of local councils and authorities. In order to ensure fair competition and equal treatment of suppliers, their procurement methods are regulated by both local and national procurement legislation.
Regional Consortia: Scotland Excel, YPO, ESPO
Local government procurement is supported by public sector consortia including Scotland Excel, Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO), and Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO). They combine demand from many councils, resulting in economies of scale and easier access to contracts for suppliers.
NHS and Healthcare Procurement
NHS Supply Chain
NHS Supply Chain manages procurement on behalf of NHS trusts and hospitals. By consolidating purchasing power, it ensures the healthcare system obtains better value from suppliers while adhering to procurement regulations.
HealthTrust Europe and CCS Healthcare Frameworks
NHS procurement teams can source anything from medical supplies to facilities management with the use of healthcare procurement frameworks provided by HealthTrust Europe and CCS. In the healthcare industry, these frameworks give suppliers the chance to participate in public procurement.
Defence and Security Procurement
Ministry of Defence (MOD)
Defence procurement is overseen by the MOD and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) through sites such as the Defence Sourcing Portal. These contracting authorities handle high value defence contracts and work with strategic suppliers.
Key Procurement Opportunities
Events such as Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) provide insights into defence procurement opportunities. Suppliers can participate in competitive dialogue to bid for defence and security contracts within the UK public sector.
Education and Higher Education Procurement
Universities Purchasing Consortia
Universities Purchasing Consortia, including the London Universities Purchasing Consortium (LUPC), Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC), and North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC), enable higher education institutions to collaborate on procurement. These consortia simplify access to public contracts for goods and services across the education sector.
Supporting Procurement in Schools and Colleges
National frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems (DPS) assist schools and colleges in procuring educational resources, facilities management services, and IT solutions. Suppliers can benefit from streamlined procurement processes and increased opportunities.
Regulatory Bodies and Compliance Authorities
Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) puts an end to anti competitive behaviour to make sure that competition in public procurement is fair. It is essential in maintaining the integrity of procurement processes.
National Audit Office (NAO)
The National Audit Office (NAO) ensures accountability in government procurement by auditing public sector spending. By encouraging value for money in governmental contracts, it aids in protecting public monies.
Find a Tender Service (FTS)
Following Brexit, the Find a Tender Service (FTS) became the UK’s e-notification service for publishing public sector tender notices. Suppliers can use FTS to access contract notices and stay informed about upcoming opportunities.
Suppliers and Service Providers in Public Procurement
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
SMEs play a crucial role in delivering public services and driving innovation. Procurement policies, including the National Procurement Policy Statement, encourage SME participation by reducing barriers and offering simplified tender procedures.
Large Enterprises and Strategic Suppliers
High value and complex public contracts are often procured by large enterprises that act as strategic suppliers. With their capabilities they help central government and the public sector bodies to deliver critical services in co-operation with SMEs and smaller providers.
eProcurement and Technology Platforms
Role of eProcurement in Modern Public Procurement
eProcurement platforms increase transparency, ease of procurement processes, and compliance with procurement regulations. They give suppliers the opportunity to respond very efficiently to contract notices and take part in competitive tenders.
Key Platforms: Tracker Intelligence, Delta eSourcing, Atamis, Jaggaer
Tracker Intelligence, Delta eSourcing, Atamis, and Jaggaer are widely used eProcurement solutions. Tracker Intelligence stands out by offering real-time tender alerts, contract pipelines, and market intelligence to help suppliers win public sector contracts.
How Suppliers Can Engage with Public Procurement Authorities
Early Market Engagement
Early engagement with public procurement authorities is important for suppliers. Soft market testing, supplier days and prior information notices (PINs) are all excellent ways to shape procurement policy and align offerings to customers’ demands.
Best Practices for Tendering
Supplier’s main priorities should be to understand award criteria such as Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) and to prove social value. Effective tendering in public procurement is also often a case of meeting accreditation criteria (e.g. ISO, Cyber Essentials).
The Role of the Cabinet Office in Transforming Public Procurement
The Cabinet Office spearheads the UK government’s strategic procurement reform. This aims to achieve increased competition, support of SMEs, and improve social value in public procurement processes via Transforming Public Procurement and the Procurement Act 2023.
Procurement Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS)
Through the use of framework agreements and DPS, suppliers are offered streamlined routes to the public sector contract opportunities. If the businesses become pre approved suppliers, they can enjoy faster procurement processes and less administrative burden.
The National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS)
The NPPS outlines the top priorities for public procurement in the UK, such as social value, innovation and sustainability. Suppliers can become more competitive by matching bids to NPPS goals and demonstrating their ability to produce results that are in line with public sector interests.
Social Value and Sustainability in Public Procurement
Public procurement authorities now prioritise social value and sustainability, ensuring that contracts deliver wider community benefits. Suppliers are encouraged to incorporate social and environmental considerations into their bids to align with government procurement goals.
Suppliers can participate strategically and successfully compete for contracts within the public sector when they are aware of the key players in public procurement. Businesses can stay informed and win tenders by using the tools and insights that Tracker Intelligence offers.
Sign up for a free trial of Tracker today to access live tenders and procurement intelligence that keeps you ahead in public procurement!
