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By Guy Stapleford, Head of Consultancy Services at Inprova
Amid recent sector-wide discussions, there was a noticeable sense of relief as organisations eased the pace of their procurement preparations following the announcement of the Procurement Act delay until February 2025.
However, my advice is quite the opposite. Public sector organisations should intensify their efforts, treating the end of the year as the new unofficial deadline to be fully prepared. Consider these additional months as an opportunity for a trial period: this is the perfect time to stress-test new procedures, especially regarding transparency requirements. The insights gained from these exercises will significantly enhance resources, training, communication, documentation, and crucially, processes.
Maximise the extension with these tips
Connect with your suppliers
The delay was likely welcome news for many in your supply chain. It offers potential contract extensions and delays the enforcement of performance metric transparency – something that suppliers may view positively. A contributing factor to this positive outlook is the lack of communication from public sector buyers.
“Use this extended timeframe to liaise with your suppliers. Inform them of your preparation strategies and explain how the forthcoming changes will impact them.”
Many suppliers, large and small, have not yet heard much from their customers regarding the new procurement legislation. While internal processes are a priority, it is essential to bring your suppliers on this compliance journey. Direct them to government resources like the Transforming Public Procurement web pages, which offer vital knowledge drops specifically for suppliers found here. Building a reputation as a responsive and proactive customer will be advantageous when you tender future contracts after 24 February 2025.
Prepare your team
Compared to the 2015 Public Contracts Regulations rollout, the current government offers substantial training resources. Many public organisations have registered for various modules, but some are yet to commence. Unfortunately, procurement often becomes an afterthought amidst daily responsibilities. With the new rules, public service managers will inherit several roles related to contract management, making their understanding of supplier performance reporting essential.
“Procurement can no longer be just an afterthought; it requires proactive attention and comprehensive training.”
Now is the time to assess the level of understanding across your organisation and deploy a well-rounded approach using available guidance, training, and templates – all accessible through the government’s website. Each procurement process stage is covered by this procurement guidance collection. The Cabinet Office also provides eLearning options for everyone, from executives to procurement professionals. Additionally, the Procurement Pathway tool offers a suite of standard templates for procurement documentation.
Keep key deadlines in mind
The transition to the new rules will unfold gradually, with crucial date-driven requirements to track:
Avoid letting the postponed implementation lull you into complacency. Continued advancement in forward planning, setting KPIs, crafting governance frameworks, and instituting new policies will ensure your organisation remains on target, preparing you for successful operation under the new regulations.
Inprova’s Consultancy Services is here to help you navigate these changes with expert guidance and tailored support. Contact us today to ensure your organisation is ready to excel now and in the future. Simply fill in the above form to get in touch.
This article was originally published in Inside Housing: Read original article here.
