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Transforming Public Procurement: April 2023 update
Bill progress
The Procurement Bill completed its passage through the Committee Stage in the House of Commons in February and will now progress to Report and then Third Reading. The final stage in the Bill’s Parliamentary journey is ‘consideration of amendments’, when it returns to the House of Lords, most probably in May. Once the Bill achieves Royal Assent work to finalise the secondary legislation (Statutory Instruments, or regulations) and will include a public consultation on the draft regulations, which we’ll notify you about.
Stakeholder survey
Every six months Cabinet Office undertakes a short survey to hear the views of stakeholders from all sectors to help to inform development of the programme, measure the impact help gauge awareness and understanding of specific elements of the proposed reforms – it will remain open until 28 April.
Digital platform
Engagement with eProcurement systems providers continues to assist them to make the changes needed to support the new noticing regime. The first batch of new notices that will soon be released to a test environment - these are as follows:
- Planned procurement notice: this will be used for above threshold procurements and will allow the contracting authority to reduce the tendering period from 25 days to 10 days (similar to the current Prior Information Notice)
- Tender notice: this notice advertises a competitive contract opportunity. For below threshold procurement opportunities, there is a simplified Tender notice with a reduced set of fields. This is equivalent to the current Contract notice in Find a Tender and the Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder.
- Transparency notice: this notice advises the market that an above threshold direct award will be made, and what the justification is for that. This is equivalent to the current Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency notice (VEAT).
- Contract award notice: this notice must be published after the decision has been made to award an above threshold contract, but that contract has not yet been signed. This notice begins the standstill period, if it applies, during which any challenges to the award can be made. There is no current equivalent.
The intention is to start testing these from June 2023, once the first batch of notices is live for testing, they are hoping to share new batches of notices and functionality on a roughly quarterly basis thereafter although the system will not be available to use until the new regime goes live.
Swimming Pool Support Fund
The LGA is supporting Sport England to develop the application process for the £63 million fund announced as part of the Budget 2023. Thank you to various councils who have been involved in testing the proposed forms, which has been collated and will be fed into the developing thinking.
Around £40 million of that fund has been earmarked for long-term capital investments and energy efficiency with just over £20 million available to be distributed for the more immediate cost pressures. The Fund is not yet ready to launch but Sport England are updating this webpage with all the latest developments.
Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool update – Waste Emissions Calculator
Over 100 organisations have now downloaded the new Waste Emissions Calculator that was published alongside the updated Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tool in January. The FAQ document has now been updated to include questions regarding the new Waste Emissions Calculator.
Net Zero Go – Energy Savings Catapult – express council registration
Net Zero Go has all the tools, including a really useful framework and Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) Finder, and features you need as a local authority to start your first energy project, build a successful business case, and deliver a portfolio of smart, successful local energy projects. Get started with the Knowledge Library, or register for Net Zero Go's full suite of features. Councils can now signup with super speed via their express registration process.
Onboarding sessions are currently available and include:
- how to get the best out of the platform
- how to build your profile and interact with others via our community forums
- use the knowledge library
- establishing a business case - case study example, information, tools and resources.
Register for the Net Zero Go - UK LA Onboarding Session
Infrastructure for charging electric vehicles: frequently asked questions published
DLUHC has published answers to frequently asked questions on Approved Document S, which sets out standards for installation of electric vehicle charge points or cable routes. The approved document provides technical guidance regarding the installation and charge point requirements in Part S of the Building Regulations.
The document applies to new residential and non-residential buildings; buildings undergoing a material change of use to dwellings; residential and non-residential buildings undergoing major renovation; and mixed-use buildings that are either new or undergoing major renovation.
Commissioned by the Home Office, the Shiva Foundation are hosting a series of lunchtime webinars throughout April on Modern Slavery in the supply chain:
Local Government Procurement Expo (LGPE) 2023
Thursday 27 April, 8.30am–4.00pm | Novotel London West (Hammersmith), International Centre, 1 Shortlands, London W6 8DR
CIPFA 'Unleash the Power of Procurement to Deliver Better Public Services' Conference
Tuesday 16 May, 8.30am–3.30pm | The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Auditorium, 1 Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA
Supplier Development Programme (SDP) Meet the Buyer Conference
Wednesday 17 May, 10:00am – 4:00pm | Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), The Exchange, 150 Morrison St, Edinburgh EH3 8EE
Accelerating decarbonisation through public procurement
Thursday 25 May 2023, 10.00am – 11.30am | Virtual
Procurex National 2023 Conference
Thursday 1 June 2023 | Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC), North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT
Towards a Social Value Economy - The Social Value Conference 2023
13-14 June 2023 | Church House, Great Smith Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3AZ | In person and online conference
The LGA Procurement team manages several LGA webpages dedicated to your needs. Please email guy.head@local.gov.uk if you would like any information added to our webpages:
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