The long-awaited Procurement Act 2023 has taken affect today, 24 February 2025, with the Procurement Regulations 2024 now in force.

With regards to calling off from current UKUPC frameworks, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR2015) will still apply to call-offs on frameworks with a start date prior to 24 February 2025.

Current LUPC Tender Activity

Under PCR 2015, we are currently tendering for our General Lab Equipment framework.

Under the Procurement Regulations 2024, we are preparing to issue tenders for:

• Legal Services;
• Estates Professional Services;
• Cleaning, Security and Maintenance Services; and
• Insurance Agreement for Financial Lines.

Over the past couple of years, LUPC has provided a wealth of information, guidance and support to its members to prepare them for implementing the new Act. The Public Procurement page of the LUPC website provides one place to find all relevant information pertaining to procuring under both PCR2015 and the Procurement Regulations 2024. Each tile within the webpage signposts members to relevant information and includes:

• Procurement Pathway Toolkit
• Thresholds
• PCR2015 Guidance
• PA2023 Training
• PA2023 Webinars
• Tendering Tools & Guidance
• Transition and Planning
• Supplier Management Information
• Below-threshold contracts
• Latest Updates
• Central Digital Platform
• Procuring outside the regulations

Most of the resources on this page will require a website login to access and are available for full members of LUPC only.

Regular monthly PA2023 Q&A sessions for our members have taken place covering key elements of the Act and addressing any questions on the new Act and its implementation.  These sessions have been run by Mohamed Hans, an expert on the interpretation of public procurement rules, and have been very popular. Recordings (where applicable) and slides for various PA2023 webinars held are available to download.    

We have also equipped our members with a suite of procurement documentation templates, produced by Brodies LLP, and ready for use under PA2023 including:

• Invitation to Tender (Open under 2023 Act)
• Invitation to Participate (Competitive flexible under 2023 Act)
• Procurement Specific Questionnaire under 2023 Act
• Assessment summary (unsuccessful bidder) (2023 Act)
• Assessment summary (successful bidder) (2023 Act)
• Award letter (2023 Act)

These are available to access by LUPC full members on the LUPC website, Resources/Tools page.

Although the new Act has just gone live, our support for members with implementation will continue. We are running a PA2023 breakout session at the LUPC & SUPC Conference on 27 March, where Mohamed Hans will be exploring with delegates how the new Act is working in practice. LUPC’s  Procurement Act 2023 Q&A Webinar #7 with Mohamed Hans will take place on 9 May and LUPC members can register here.

Communication with our framework suppliers is on-going and those attending the LUPC & SUPC Conference will also have an opportunity to hear from Mohamed Hans in our supplier session.