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Contact with local government e-senders
Following discussions with local government superusers about the apparent lack of communication with them from the local government e-senders, LGA has been in touch with them asking for an update as to readiness of their systems’ ability to send the required notices to the new central digital platform following Procurement Act go-live date of 28 October. In-tend, one of the larger e-senders to our sector were quick to respond outlining that their particular system is ‘Procurement Act ready’. Euros Jones is the contact at In-tend and said he would be more than happy to speak to In-tend users, please contact on procurementact@in-tend.com
Provider selection regime
Procurements for health care services will not be in scope of the Procurement Act when it comes into force in October, relevant authorities must continue to arrange these services under the PSR. The Provider Selection Regime (PSR) FAQs have been updated to reflect the incoming Act, to clarify the scope of the PSR and to give guidance on how to apply the key criteria, direct awards and modifications. Specific guidance is given on how to manage grants, lotting, subsidiaries, uplifts, joint procurements and individual placements along with clarifying the position on Procurement Policy Notices and on publishing transparency notices. From 28 October, relevant authorities following the PSR regime will need to register and log onto the enhanced Find a Tender service (also known as the Central Digital Platform) to use the existing Public Contracts Regulations 2015 notices to serve as PSR notices, guidance can be found in the Find a Tender Supplementary guide. Once a user is registered this will be their log in for FTS (for both PCR2015 notices – including to use as PSR notices – and PA2023 notices).
Framework providers
Councils that use framework agreements may be interested in a legal challenge that has been filed with the high court from a private sector framework provider who claims that they had been denied the opportunity to compete for the award of the framework contract and is seeking remedies for losses from the contracting authority, Alder Hey Children’s Foundation Trust. The complainant claims that the trust did not advertise the opportunity to provide the services nor had it carried out a competitive procurement exercise.
TPP Communities of Practice
As the TPP Community of Practice (COP) (registration required) continues to grow, Cabinet Office have started analysing data on those that have enrolled on the Government Commercial College (GCC), and those that are attending their community meet-ups.
Initial analysis shows that at each meet-up, there are on average, around 200 people that attend, but are not enrolled in the COP on the GCC across the public sector.
In addition, and perhaps more surprising, is that there are nearly 1000 Superusers across the public sector that also have not enrolled on in the COP on the GCC.
We’d like to encourage council procurement teams that are already engaged with the e-learning on the Government Commercial College to enrol on the COP – this is where you will get access to cross public sector tools and resources as well as being able to join events and meetups to help you with implementing the Procurement Act.
Please do visit the COP regularly – Cabinet Office team are working hard to share content with you through this platform.
Sector support offer delivers high impact
The annual review of sector support delivered in 2023/24 shows the LGA has a proven track record of delivering high impact, low-cost programmes to the sector. 100 per cent of chief executives and 97 per cent of council leaders say that LGA support has had a positive impact for their authority. Evaluations and feedback from the sector show that LGA programmes continue to play a key role in supporting councils to improve, achieve local ambitions, and provide services communities rely on.
Webinars throughout August – November | Virtual
15 -17 October 2024 | In person/Virtual
19 November | In Person conference, Novotel London West
27 - 29 November 2024 | Arena and Convention Centre (ACC) Liverpool
Various dates and subjects relating to Procurement Act 2023
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The LGA's membership magazine, 'first', is delivered free each month to just under 17,000 councillors and local authority chief executives. Access first online to browse all news articles, features and opinion pieces, including those from past issues.
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