Unlock Success: Wales’ Game-Changing Procurement Act 2023 Reveals Cutting-Edge Learning & Development Program!
A comprehensive Learning & Development initiative slated to roll out ahead of the new Procurement Act's debut in October 2024.
EU Auditors Flag Declining Competition in Public Procurement
A new report from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) reveals troubling trends regarding competition for European public sector contracts. As bidding managers know, EU public procurement represents a massive €2 trillion market. Yet despite the scale of this opportunity, securing public contracts appears to be getting more complicated, not easier.
The audit shows that between 2011-2021, the average ...
Assessing the Procurement Act 2023: What’s in Store for UK SMEs?
The Procurement Bill recently received Royal Assent on 26 October, becoming the Procurement Act 2023. This legislation represents one of the most substantial overhauls of the UK's public procurement system in decades. While now law, the Act's provisions still need to be fully in force.
Full implementation is expected in October 2024 after a transition period.
We have ...
Rebuilding Ukraine: How Businesses Can Leverage the DREAM Platform for Impact and Opportunity
Businesses looking to enter and grow in the promising Ukrainian market should consider leveraging the new Digital Reconstruction Ecosystem for Accountable Management (DREAM) system. This digital platform offers a transparent, efficient way for businesses to participate in Ukraine's massive reconstruction efforts as the country rebuilds from the destruction of war.
Transparency and Accountability Through DREAM
With damage estimates ...
EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation Go Live: Impact on Public Procurement Bidding
Adopted in December 2022, the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) addresses the European Union (EU) internal market distortion caused by foreign subsidies. This regulation closes the regulatory gap concerning subsidies from foreign states, which was not covered by EU State aid rules applicable to EU countries. The notification obligations under the updated FSR came into force ...
What the New UK Procurement Bill Means for Suppliers
The UK's upcoming Procurement Bill, designed to reshape the post-Brexit public procurement system, is entering its final legislative phase. The House of Lords is reviewing amendments proposed by the Commons, with the next session scheduled for October 24, 2023. This stage is the last hurdle before the bill becomes law.
The anticipated launch date for the new ...
EU’s First Joint Defence Procurement Deal
The European Parliament has taken a significant step in enhancing the defence industry and international relations with its first-ever joint procurement agreement for defence. Named the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Agreement (EDIRPA), this project was initiated in response to the war in Ukraine.
Combating Fragmentation of Demand EDIRPA seeks to address the long-standing fragmentation ...
Collaborative Procurement: A Path to Efficiency?
Collaborative procurement strategies have emerged as a powerful tool for driving efficiency, cost savings, and impactful outcomes. We've covered examples of collaborative procurement strategies previously, in the construction industry, and with European joint ammunition procurement.
Collaborative procurement involves multiple governments or public entities joining forces to pool resources, share expertise, and collectively negotiate contracts with suppliers. This ...
Transparency in Public Procurement & How To Get it.
Ensuring transparency in government procurement is not only a matter of ethical governance but also a catalyst for efficiency, fair competition, and economic growth.
But how? What exactly does transparency do to ensure these things? Here's a quick overview of how it works, and what governments can do to make it a part of their processes.
By Preventing ...
From Data to Dollar: Maximising Value in Government Procurement.
Government procurement data is not just a collection of numbers and statistics; it is a strategic asset that holds the key to unlocking value for both public sector buyers and suppliers. Transforming data into dollars lies in harnessing insights for cost savings, and improved procurement efficiency.
Data-Driven Supplier Selection
Selecting the right suppliers is crucial for successful procurement ...
The EU Supply Chain Act is Coming – Are You Ready?
The European Union will soon require thousands of large companies to actively identify and reduce human rights abuses and environmental damage in their supply chains. This new EU regulation will also cover foreign businesses with operations in the region, including American companies.
The European Parliament approved a draft of the rules in June, 2023. Now EU members ...
Why SMEs Should Do Business With Government.
For many SME’s, doing business with government is not high on their prospecting list. In the media, much of the coverage around government suppliers tends to be about big consultancies and major multinational technology companies. It’s understandable then that many smaller businesses would consider becoming a supplier to government highly unlikely.
But in recent years, many governments ...
US Gov Breaks Small Biz Procurement Record
The USA's Small Business Administration plays a key role in setting government contracting goals in any given year. Individual government agency scorecards have been developed to help track against these goals. This week, the US government has reviewed recent performance.
The Biden-Harris Administration has advised its small business contracting goal of 23% growth this fiscal year (FY) ...
Transforming Public Procurement-Part 2 Consultation Open
In June 2023, the UK Government opened the first part of its public consultation on the legislation required to implement the new public procurement regime established by the new draft Procurement Bill.
Split into two parts, the second part of the consultation has opened this week, a technical consultation on the draft secondary legislation relating predominantly to ...
Governments Worldwide Reassessing Procurement, Post-Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to governments around the world, especially in the procurement of essential supplies and equipment. As the crisis gradually recedes, governments are taking stock of their procurement strategies and reevaluating their approaches to ensure better preparedness for the future.
Over the last few years we’ve reported on how Covid effected European procurement, ...