Government to overhaul procurement system

11/05/2021 | DOMINIC BROWNE

The Government plans to overhaul public procurement and replace it with 'three simple, modern procedures' to give the public sector more scope to negotiate with potential suppliers to deliver innovative solutions.

Officials highlighted that there are currently over 350 different procurement regulations spread over different regimes but the Procurement Bill unveiled at the Queen's Speech, would consolidate these into a single uniform regime.

The Bill aims to make the system more accessible for new entrants - including small businesses and voluntary, charitable and social enterprises - to compete for and win public contracts.

The Bill would:

  • Enshrine in law the principles of public procurement such as: value for money, public benefit, transparency, integrity, fair treatment of suppliers and nondiscrimination.
  • Require buyers to have regard to the Government’s strategic priorities for public procurement as set out in a new National Procurement Policy Statement.
  • Introduce procurement processes that allow contracting authorities to buy at pace, for serious situations that are declared a crisis, with strengthened safeguards for transparency.
  • Establish a single data platform for supplier registration that ensures suppliers only have to submit their data once to qualify for any public sector procurement.
  • Tackle unacceptable behaviour such as supplier fraud through new exclusion rules and giving buyers the tools to properly take account of a bidder’s past performance.
  • Reform the process for challenging procurement decisions to speed up the review system and make it more accessible and capping the level of damages available to bidders in order to reduce the attractiveness of speculative claims.

The Government will also publish the first National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS), setting out strategic national priorities for public procurement.

As the UK leaves the European procurement system, officials pledged that procurement data will be published 'in a standard, open format, so that it is more accessible to anyone'.

In December 2020, the Government confirmed that below-threshold contracts can be reserved for UK suppliers and/or small suppliers. This applies to supplies and services contracts valued below £122,976 and works contracts below £4,733,252.

Alongside this, a Subsidy Control Bill that will implement a domestic UK subsidy control regime that reflects our strategic interests and national circumstances.

The Government has also promised to publish a Levelling Up White Paper later this year, setting out policy interventions to improve livelihoods and opportunities in all parts of the UK.

Policies under the governments programme are set to be supported by cash from the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB), which will launch later in the spring and was described as 'central to delivering these ambitions' by officials under the Queen's Speech briefing.

Headquartered in Leeds, the bank will be able to deploy £12bn of equity and debt capital and £10bn of guarantees and is expected to support more than £40bn of infrastructure investment overall.

Director of external affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Marie-Claude Hemming said: 'The UK Government’s legislative agenda shows a clear commitment to boosting the UK’s recovery from COVID-19 through investing in infrastructure and skills. We welcome news that the Government will take steps to simplify procurement in the public sector and look forward to working with all stakeholders to reform this system to the ultimate benefit of the UK taxpayer.

'As part of this, we hope the Government will consider the findings of Professor David Mosey’s independent review of frameworks. As the UK emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we invest in the people and projects that will enable us to build back better, so that we can deliver a high-growth economy and sustainable recovery for businesses and communities in all parts of the UK.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Structures Delivery Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Structures Delivery Manager to lead the delivery of structural asset investment Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Head of Highway Operations

Grade 15 £61,048 - £66,960 per annum (Pay award pending)
Here at Derbyshire County Council, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Sustainable Travel Team Leader

Grade 12 £43,055 - £46,439 per annum (Pay award Pending)
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and shaping a sustainable future? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Senior Active Travel Officer

Grade 10 £17,162 - £18,764 per annum (Pay award pending)
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on how people travel? Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW