ProContract: Getting ready for the Procurement Act 2023

The Procurement Act 2023 comes into effect on 28 October 2024, and we are working on a range of solutions to ensure there is a smooth transition for you.

We have begun final testing of the new forms and other system updates, made to support compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. Our current plan is subject to change, and is dependent on the success of our testing period and any further changes implemented by the Cabinet Office.
 
Changes to ProContract
Changes to ProContract: Procurement Regime Selection
When creating a project, users will be able to select which regulations to use, from the following:
  • Provider Selection Regime 2024
  • Procurement Act 2023
  • Public Contract Regulations 2015
Based on the regulations selected, corresponding notice forms will be made available to users. Regulation choices will also support future reporting requirements.
 
 
Changes to ProContract: Introduction of new above-threshold notice types
When creating a new notice, an extra option will be provided to allow users to generate new notice types in compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. Old notice types will be still available for procurements started before 28 October 2024.

The following notice types will still be available to users:
  • UK2 Preliminary market engagement notice
  • UK3 Planned procurement notice
  • UK4 Tender notice
  • UK5 Transparency notice
  • UK6 Contract award notice
  • UK7 Contract details notice
  • UK10 Contract change notice
  • UK11 Contract termination notice
  • UK12 Procurement termination notice
  • UK13-16 dynamic markets notice types
These notices will be published to the Central Digital Platform (CDP) in compliance with the new regime.
Changes to ProContract: Frameworks & Dynamic Markets
The system will continue to support Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 regime. However, changes are being made to cater for Closed Frameworks, Open Frameworks and Dynamic Markets.

Existing DPS functionality is being expanded to cater for the new Dynamic Markets and Open Frameworks.

New data points related to the Procurement Act 2023 and how ProContact supports the adoption of this, will be exposed to our Advance Reporting solution. This will ensure your organisation continues to have good visibility of all sourcing activities across your organisation.

Capability to manage events specific to the Procurement Act 2023 will be provided. These new event types will allow for workflows to be built, which support the management of Dynamic Markets and Open Frameworks under the new regime.
Changes to ProContract: Standstill Countdown calculation
Standstill periods for events created under the Procurement Act 2023 and Provider Selection Regime 2024, will be calculated based on 8 working days rather than the 10 calendar days under the previous regime. 
Changes to ProContract: Buyer Organisation CDP Registration
In order to publish notices, and view supplier responses within the Supplier Information System (SIS) elements of the Centralised Digital Platform (CDP), buyers will need to first register with the CDP.

Updates will be made to ProContract which allow buyers to store their Public Procurement Organisation Number and Central Digital Platform API Key.  This information is required to publish each notice and view supplier responses.
Changes to ProContract: Supplier Response Summary
Centralised Digital Platform (CDP) functionality requires suppliers to first register as a supplier, and then complete responses to standard questions.

The buying authorities will need to get some key pieces of information from their suppliers to view suppliers' standard questions and to award a contract. We will cater for this to happen in several ways.
Changes to ProContract: Workflow Management
To help users select appropriate Workflows for the Procurement Act 2023, additional constraints are being setup to ensure only compliant Workflow options are available to users when creating new projects under the Procurement Act 2023 regime.
Changes to processes: Increased workload to be expected

Buyers should be prepared for an increased workload with the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023.

The new procurement processes include additional requirements to:

  • Produce of a higher number of notices. This includes, but is not limited to - planned procurement notices, transparency notices, and pipeline notices.
  • Report on contract performance, including spending and poor performance.
  • Report on payments made during the term of a contract.

These requirements are outside of our control and cannot be bypassed.

Deployment schedule

  • 12 Aug – 20 Sep: Product Testing: Time dedicated to ensuring our solutions are meeting your needs.
  • 15 Aug – 23 Sep: Preview Period: You may ask your Account Manager to view previews of the new notices.
  • 23 Sep – 11 Oct:  User Familiarisation Environment (UFE) / User Acceptance Testing (UAT): You will be invited to test our new solutions and familiarise yourself with the new forms.
  • 17 Oct: Go Live: All new Procurement Act 2023 functionality will be made available to buyers.
We are working hard to make these available earlier if possible.

Procurement Act training

A short online course is in development which will take deeper look at the UK Procurement Act and its implications for ProContract users. This course will highlight the numerous features and functions that already comply with the Act's requirements and offer an overview of the anticipated changes for ProContract users.

ProContract users will be notified once training is made available.

You can keep up to date with our training courses by visiting the Proactis Training Academy. 

Stay Informed

We want to make sure you have access to a range of resources to help you get better acquainted with the Procurement Act 2023:

  • Check back here regularly: This page is for ProContract customers, and we will post product updates here first.

  • The Proactis Public Sector Newsletter: Our monthly newsletter is sent to public sector customers, providing updates from across our range of solutions.

  • Our Procurement Act content hub: Your go-to page for Proactis news and resources to help ensure you are fully prepared for the 28 October 2024.

  • Transforming Public procurement Page: The UK Government’s resource hub for learning more about the Procurement Act 2023 and the new processes which will be introduced.