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The Procurement Act 2023, introduced as a replacement for old EU-based rules, is here. Operating as a single UK-wide framework, shifting how public sector procurement works across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
If you’re a contractor bidding on government jobs — whether you’re on frameworks already or aiming for public sector work — this is something you need to know.
It changes what’s expected of you, how you’re evaluated, and how you secure contracts.
The new rules apply to central government departments, local authorities, NHS trusts, housing associations, and more. If your diversified pipeline includes any public clients, you’re in scope.
The Act introduces two main routes to market. These routes define how public buyers will run tenders under the new regime. You need to know which route applies because your eligibility, approach, and timeline can vary.
While the open procedure is familiar, the flexible route can introduce more complexity. You might need to handle revised bids, stage-based assessments, or extended timelines. If you’re used to restricted or negotiated procedures, this shift can feel significant. For those working across multiple authorities, you could see less consistency from one tender to the next.
Starting 24 February 2025, public procurement in the UK will operate in full view. Authorities must publish notices at each stage. No exceptions.
Every procurement step will be posted on a central government platform, from early-stage notices through to post-award reporting.
If you win, your KPIs and performance become public. Miss a milestone, and others will see it. On the upside, you’ll also see upcoming projects sooner, giving you more time to plan. However, your competitors see the same intel, which often results in tighter margins (tighter than the already-low margins you’re operating on).
Everything you do on a public contract is now part of your track record, so delivering on time and on budget matters more than ever.
The new law establishes a formal exclusion list. Contractors on this list cannot bid on public contracts.
The Cabinet Office maintains it, and every public buyer checks it before awarding a contract. If you’re listed, you’re out.
Authorities can list you if you breach contract terms, mislead a buyer, commit crimes like bribery or fraud, or repeatedly underperform. Once added, you can be barred from public work for up to five years. You might not get much warning.
Debarment creates a commercial shutout if you rely on public sector work. Avoid the list by staying on top of compliance.
You don’t get a second shot once you’re excluded. Get your house in order now.
From 24 February 2025, once an award notice is out, you have eight business days to act, down from the previous 10 calendar days. That's the window you have to challenge an award notice; after that, the contract can be signed. After that, the contract can be signed.
The clock starts when the notice is issued, not when you see it, and public buyers aren’t obligated to extend the period unless you formally challenge.
Plan ahead. Don’t wait until day seven to scramble for legal help. Have a playbook ready:
You just need to be prepared. Those eight days pass quickly.
The Procurement Act 2023 changes how public sector work is awarded and managed. If you have public-sector clients or want them, you must adjust how you bid and deliver.
You can track future projects sooner. Pipeline notices become mandatory, which helps you plan resources and build partnerships. Bid criteria are more transparent. That means less guesswork, especially when feedback is published after awards. A strong track record on one public project can benefit future bids, because your performance is now public.
Visibility also increases competition. More bidders may drive down prices and shrink margins, especially in commoditised trades. Compliance becomes more important. Mistakes, late deliveries, or repeated underperformance go on a permanent record. The threat of debarment is real. You must run a clean, consistent operation, or you're putting your diversified portfolio at risk.
From 24 February 2025, every decision and deadline needs to be accessible. Gaps in data or delays in processes will put contracts at risk. That’s where ProcurePro fits in. We consolidate scheduling, tenders, scopes, approvals, contracts, and subcontractor performance in one system.
Every procurement action is time-stamped and easy to track. If a buyer or auditor asks for proof, you have it. Approvals route automatically, contracts get signed faster, and reports are generated in real time. No digging through inboxes or mismatched spreadsheets.
Contractors cut admin time by removing the need for manual duplications. Scope packages, tender docs, and contract sign-offs all flow in a single platform. When something goes wrong, you can see the entire history at a glance.
It’s the kind of streamlined, transparent approach that keeps you on the right side of the new rules. If you want to protect your reputation and bottom line while meeting Procurement Act 2023 standards, consider looking at a centralised solution like ProcurePro.
Book a demo today and transform how you manage public sector contracts.
James Metcalfe
