Procurement law can be complex, and the recent coming into force of the Procurement Act 2023 has made it even more so. The new Act is a fundamental change designed to generate greater transparency and oversight, while reducing prescriptive procedures and encouraging healthy competition in public procurement to improve supplier diversity.
Changes like this aren't usually without teething problems, and while the new legislation will hopefully streamline processes in the UK, many initial hurdles will need to be overcome.
The Procurement Act certainly shakes things up for both private sector businesses and public sector organisations, demanding (as a minimum) a review of all procurement documents to make sure the terminology reflects the requirements of the new Act. It is then about using the Act to your advantage to make sure you are ahead of the competition. To do this, you’ll need expert know-how and a pragmatic approach to make sure you remain compliant and competitive, whilst utilising the benefits of the Act.
Your team
Your procurement team
We've been at the forefront of procurement changes since the laws were introduced in the 1990s, and we’re not just prepared, but eager, to guide you through this next season of change.
Whether you're looking for procurement strategies, help drafting essential documentation, bespoke training, strategic and pragmatic advice on the use of frameworks and dynamic markets, or defending and bringing challenges, you’ll get tailored guidance throughout.
You need experience backed by proven success. We’ve given pragmatic and commercial advice to central and local government bodies, private utilities and suppliers. Our clients are widespread, within transport, education, utilities, health, and leisure, all of which means that our team has genuine understanding and expertise across a wealth of sectors.
With experience in litigation all the way up to the Supreme Court, you can trust us to understand the procurement risks, challenges, and opportunities in order to build a strategy that works for you.
We have prepared a Procurement Act 2023 toolkit to assist contracting authorities, which combines our expert knowledge and best practice with the requirements of the new Act to provide clear and detailed documents to assist with various aspects of procurement under the new regime. If you need ready to go template documents, records or guidance, please contact our specialist team for more information.
In need of a procurement lawyer? Look no further.
At Womble Bond Dickinson we have an exceptional team of talented lawyers and business professionals who can offer guidance and find the solutions right for your business. We have both broad and niche expertise across all our UK and US offices.
NEPO – provided detailed training webinars on various aspects of the Procurement Act 2023 for local authorities to access, as well as support o the implementation of several innovative frameworks under the 'old' and 'new' procurement regimes.
Private utilities and a central government body – provided bespoke training and update of procurement documents and standard contracts in preparation for the Procurement Act 2023.
A number of local authorities – providing detailed support and guidance through the various aspects of procurement for heat networks and other de-carbonisation projects.
Universities on the procurement aspects of procuring delivery partners to design, build, operate and maintain student accommodation.
Utilities, local authorities, central government departments and various NHS bodies on a range of matters including defence of challenged processes, reviewing standard and bespoke procurement documents, shared services, public to public contracts, assisting with the drafting and negotiation of contract terms and advising on evaluation and moderation processes on a number of different projects.
Testimonials
“Womble Bond Dickinson understood the detail but cut straight through incidentals and focused on achieving the outcome we required. They provided clarity regarding the risks, enabling more informed decisions. The service levels and responsiveness were ideal, and it meant a resolution was found in an extremely timely fashion.”
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