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Contact with local government e-Senders
Following last week’s update on In-tend’s readiness for TPP go-live date of 28 October, other e-Senders have been in touch to reassure councils that they will be ready. Jaggaer (previously BravoSolution) has confirmed that:
- notice functionality, for the first phase of notices, will be ready for Go-Live (in prep by 5 October)
- that they will provide information and guidance to customers about registering for API keys
- That they will enable a capability for supplier data to be retrieved (via the central digital platform API during bid preparation and stored in an excel document so it can be captured and stored in the qualification area of the supplier bid.
Jaggaer has also created two new, best practice Workflow Templates. These have been mapped to the Competitive Flexible Procedure and the New Open Procedure, with relevant steps for the New Notice Types included.
Atamis started their TPP programme in late October 2023 and invited all clients to a first webinar in December where they shared our approach to delivering TPP and have been providing monthly updates to clients, either via a webinar or a project pack. Atamis development started in March 2024 and their aim is to make the TPP functionality available to clients from the 10 September, with the relevant functionality and API's in place. (Of course, Atamis is reliant on the Cabinet Office meeting their expected project plan with no adjustments for this date to be met).
All client information is available on a secure webpage, this includes previous webinars and written updates; as well as Client Support Packs designed to assist clients with advanced training for end users whilst we remain in development. For details of how to access this webpage please contact your Atamis account lead.
TPP elearning manual
Most councils are now engaged with the Cabinet Office comprehensive learning and development programme designed to support everyone operating within the new regime and help you to understand what is changing from the current system. The complete e-learning materials have now been published in a 672 page pdf manual that can be used as reference for procurement practitioners. The guide includes all the additional materials referred to in the e-learning modules. Thanks to the Cabinet Office TPP team for their huge efforts in creating this.
Contract details notices
Additional guidance on contract details notices has been published. A contract details notice informs suppliers and the public that the contracting authority has entered into a contract. It provides key information about the contract that has been entered into.
Read the contract details notice on gov.uk.
Key Performance Indicators
Guidance on key performance indicators has been published. A key performance indicator (KPI) is defined in the Procurement Act 2023 (Act) as a factor or measure against which a supplier’s performance of a contract can be assessed during the life-cycle of the contract (section 52(1)).
Read the KPI guidance on gov.uk.
Contract performance notice
Guidance on contract performance indicators has been published. A contract performance notice is a notice that is used to publish the information required to be published under section 71 of the Procurement Act 2023 (Act).
Read the contract performance notice on gov.uk.
Information needed about early PA23 procurements
Cabinet Office is currently reviewing their central digital platform onboarding plans and have asked for information from councils to help them to prepare and resource their support offering. The CDP programme team is looking for visibility of those procurements which councils believe will be launching in the first four weeks of Go-Live (based on the information known at this point in time). We have uploaded a template document on our Knowledge Hub to help us capture this information. Please do add any information you can to help Cabinet office colleagues build a picture of activity during the first 28 days of Go-Live.
Dynamic Markets and Procurement Act 2023
A lot of councils have raised concerns about the new Dynamic Markets process which will replace the process for Dynamic Purchasing Systems currently used under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Dynamic Markets will not be available to use for procurements under the WTO threshold which will cause an issue for councils that need a simple way of awarding contracts for example for home to school transport. Bevan Britten published an article this week that explains the issue in detail, but does not constitute legal advice. LGA is working with Cabinet Office to try and find a longer-term solution for this problem.
Reminder: GCC Community of Practice
We mentioned in our last bulletin the importance of enrolling on the Government Commercial College TPP Community of Practice (COP) (registration required).
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.
Secure children’s homes
The Department for Education will shortly be retendering the grant to run the Secure Welfare Coordination Unit, which supports councils to place children in secure children’s homes, and is keen to understand the potential appetite of councils to compete for this grant. If you would like to know more, please contact lisa.ward@education.gov.uk
Webinars throughout August – November | Virtual
24 September | Etc Venues, Manchester
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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