UK Public Procurement - change is coming

Just a reminder that Francis Maude is standing down at the election in 2 weeks, and so there will be changes at the Cabinet Office, and therefore potentially throughout public sector procurement in England (at least).   His swansong will have been the requirement for all contracts below the OJEU threshold but above £10 000 (Central government) or £25 000 (sub-central government) to be conducted using a single stage open process (i.e. no PQQ stage).    I have wittered on before about how I am far from convinced that this is a good idea (especially for Buyers, but also for suppliers) so let's leave it there.

Mr Maude spent a long time at Cabinet Office, and was notably interested in Procurement as a tool for government policy.  His replacement, of whatever political flavour, may share his zeal - or just see it as a stepping stone to a "real" job at HM Treasury.  Whichever, we need to be on the look out for any indicated change of direction.

Not least of all because (as again pointed out by Peter Smith and SpendMatters) Contracting Authorities have an obligation under the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015
 to "have regard to any guidance for the time being in force under this section".

So don't forget to keep reading the PPNs (Procurement Policy Notes) from the Cabinet Office.

The Impact of the new EU Procurement Legislation

"The impact of the new EU Public Contract legislation" is a new event from PASS, which should be all you need to understand the change in the law from 26th February 2015/1 April 2015.  The good news is that the course is being run in a wide range of locations around the country, from Exeter to Newcastle, Cardiff and Belfast - so there should be one relatively near you.  The bad news (possibly) is that I shall be leading some of those events, but to make it interesting I won't tell you which ones yet.  So there is still a chance you will be lucky and get one of PASS's other tutors. 

Don't want to take the risk?  Well I shall be in Birmingham on 31st March 2015, and a further 5 or 6 during April, May and June  - none of which are actually on the website yet.  So book early and you can avoid me!

Those of you who were at Procurex North recently will I hope have found that this topic  is interesting - the law has changed, and so there will be a whole bunch of new case law to be developed.  And most Buyers will be hoping it is not them that is the basis of that case law.  We hope to point out some of the risky areas. 

And do remember these regulations apply in the UK, excepting Scotland who will have their own legislation later in the year - and yes we shall have events about that too.

Joking aside I hope to see you at one of the events.  You might also want to listen in to Eddie Regan, our in house guru, during his free webinar on Monday 9th March 2015 at 10:30.  I know I shall.

New EU regulations and Procurex North

Procurex North is this week at Manchester Central on Thursday 26th  February.  Which just happens to be the day that the new UK Procurement regulations come into force for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  So bound to be lots to discuss - and a lot of reading, rereading and arguing for us consultants to make sure we understand it before then.  Or at least think we understand it.

Procurex North is free if you are in the Public Sector, and £95 if you are in the private sector.  Hope to see you there in the Supplier zone.  I hope you will be gentle with your questions - or rather be as rough as you like with the questions but be forgiving of my answers.