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3 good things to know about Public Procurement act 2023 and what it means for suppliers to public sector suppliers.

8th December 2025
Bid Writing & Tender Management

The United Kingdom public sector procurement system undergoes rapid transformation at present.

The process of public sector procurement in the UK has shifted beyond delivering the most suitable technical solution. The procurement process has undergone changes which affect how contracts are designed and supplier selection occurs and what criteria must be fulfilled.

The following three essential changes in public sector procurement require your immediate attention as an SME seeking to secure more government contracts.

1. The practice of using 10-year closed frameworks for procurement has become obsolete.

The public sector has started to eliminate extended closed frameworks which used to block new suppliers from participating for ten years or longer. Public sector procurement teams now implement shorter-term flexible contracts through open or refreshable frameworks that enable new suppliers to enter during active contract periods.

The change serves a deliberate purpose. The system functions to:

  • Keep pace with innovation
  • Encourage SME participation
  • Prevent monopolies or stagnant supplier pools

The framework system now provides continuous entry points for businesses to join DPSs and frameworks even when they missed the first opportunity. The IT sector along with FM sector and construction industry experience ongoing service delivery model transformations which create new entry points for suppliers.

Monitor procurement portals for active frameworks that allow new entrants through their rolling entry systems and establish alert notifications for these opportunities. The current situation provides SMEs with an opportunity to reconnect with public sector procurement after being excluded by previous time constraints.

2. All organisations must develop Carbon Reduction Plans as a mandatory requirement for public sector procurement.

The public sector now demands sustainability as an essential requirement for all procurement activities. The public sector now demands Carbon Reduction Plans (CRPs) from all suppliers and some sectors need ongoing carbon emission reports.

Here’s what you need to know:

All central government and local authority contracts exceeding £2.5 million must include CRPs which follow the NHS demands CRPs with specific action plans for all contracts exceeding £10,000 in value.

PN 06/21 guidelines.

All businesses participating in public sector procurement will need to show their emission performance through reporting by 2030.

The requirement for SMEs to document their environmental impact has become essential because sustainability questions now receive scoring in public sector bids. The inclusion of sustainability assessment questions in bids has become mandatory because they receive evaluation points.

Free training programs from government agencies and industry organisations provide SMEs with the necessary support to develop carbon reduction plans and net-zero strategies.

Create your CRP document right away. A basic yet truthful plan creation will position you better than competitors who have not initiated their planning process. The time has come to document your existing sustainable practices which include electric vehicle adoption and waste reduction and local sourcing initiatives.

Start creating your CRP document immediately. A basic yet truthful plan creation will position you better than competitors who have not started their planning process. You should document your existing sustainable practices

Need Help Adapting to These Changes?

At Tender Response, we help SMEs respond strategically to shifting procurement requirements — from preparing compliant carbon reduction plans to writing compelling social value responses.

If you’re unsure where to start or how these changes affect your bids, book a free 15-minute call with one of our consultants. We’ll help you understand your next steps, no pressure, no obligation.

Get in touch today to schedule your session — and get clarity on your public sector bid strategy.

 

This article was posted by:

Vicky Poole
Vicky Poole

Vicky Poole, with 15 years in strategic sales, specialises in Commercial, Government, and Third Sector tenders. Founder of Tender Response, she leads a team aiding SMEs in public sector bids.

View all posts by Vicky Poole

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