You may be aware that UK public procurement law is changing. Government are working towards a proposed go live date of 24 February 2025 for the implementation of a new regime governed by the Procurement Act 2023.

This regime aims to:

	Create a simpler and more flexible commercial system that better meets our country’s needs while remaining compliant with our international obligations.
	Open up public procurement to new entrants such as small businesses and social enterprises so that they can compete for and win more public contracts.
	Embed transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle so that the spending of taxpayers’ money can be properly scrutinised.

From the date of implementation, all of ESPO’s new procurement and commercial activities will be conducted under the new regime. Existing legislation will apply until this date, and will also continue to apply to procurements started under the old rules. 

One of the main impacts of the new regime for suppliers is the creation of a central digital platform for suppliers to register and store their details, so that they can be used for multiple bids and see all opportunities in one place. Suppliers will not be able to tender for ESPO’s contracts or frameworks unless they have registered for the central digital platform.

Please note that the central digital platform is not yet available. The Cabinet Office has advised it will be launched in advance of the go-live date in February 2025, but no official launch date has been confirmed.

ESPO will make reasonable effort to ensure suppliers have had sufficient opportunity to register their information on the central digital platform before conducting any procurement activities under the new regime.

ESPO is not able to provide any further information on the development of the central digital platform and advise suppliers to refer directly to the Cabinet Office for updates:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/transforming-public-procurement