| Knowledge Drops – Procurement Act 2023 |
Cabinet Office has now released its first phase of the Learning and Development offering, the knowledge drops, for the Procurement Act 2023
The Knowledge Drops comprise a series of on-demand videos designed to provide a high level overview of the changes to the procurement regulations and are aimed at those who have regular interactions with procurement and would need some material level of understanding of the new legislation.
There are separate Knowledge Drops for:
• Contracting authorities: 45 minutes in total, broken down into 6 smaller sections.
• Suppliers: 45 minutes in total, broken down into 3 smaller sections.
• VCSE and SME suppliers: 45 minutes in total, broken down into 3 smaller sections.
• Additionally there are accompanying fact sheets that outline the specific differences for Wales, Northern Ireland, utilities, light touch, defence and security, concessions and schools.
You can view and access all the Knowledge Drops and factsheets on a dedicated page on the Transforming Public Procurement webpages: The Official Transforming Public Procurement Knowledge Drops - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-official-transforming-public-procurement-knowledge-drops
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05/12/2023 |
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| Procurement Act 2023 - A Short Guide for Suppliers |
Please see attached flyer which provides an update on the Procurement Bill 2023.
The Procurement Bill (which applies to England, NI and Wales) received Royal Assent on 26 October, officially making the Bill into an Act of Parliament. The aims of the Act are to simplify public procurement processes and it make it easier to bid, negotiate and work in partnership with the public sector. It will remove bureaucratic barriers and level the playing field for smaller businesses so they can compete for more contracts.
There will be a new central digital platform (still in development) for suppliers to register and store their details so that they can be used for multiple bids; and the publication of a broader range of notices across the procurement cycle will enhance the transparency of public procurement.
A transforming public procurement webpage provides further information on the Act and videos to raise awareness with public sector suppliers on future changes and ambitions of the new procurement regime. This webpage can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/transforming-public-procurement.
The Act requires further legislation to implement the central platform and provide extra detail on the content required for the necessary notices. It is expected that this legislation will be laid in Parliament in Spring 2024 with the new regime implemented in October 2024
Further information on this legislation and guidance will be provided as it becomes available.
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04/12/2023 |
The_Procurement_Act_2023_-_a_short_guide_for_suppliers.pdf
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| New Procurement Act 2023 - Video Messages |
The rules governing public procurement are changing - the new Procurement Act will improve the way procurement is done, so that every pound goes further for our public services.
This transformation of public procurement represents a big change for all UK public bodies, which between them spend £300bn per year. It will create simpler, more flexible and effective procurement. The Procurement Act brings a range of benefits, including:
• creating a simpler and more flexible commercial system that better meets our country’s needs while remaining compliant with our international obligations
• opening up public procurement to new entrants such as small businesses and social enterprises so that they can compete for and win more public contracts.
• taking tougher action on underperforming suppliers and excluding suppliers who pose unacceptable risks
• embedding transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle so that the spending of taxpayers’ money can be properly scrutinised
We expect the new regime will go live in October 2024, following a notice period of at least 6 months.
The link attached takes you to the video messages for suppliers summarises the new Procurement Act, next steps and timelines, outlines the support which will be made available, and makes suggestions for initial steps to help prepare.
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16/11/2023 |
Link 16.11.23 Procurement Act 2023.doc
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| The Education Authority Pre-Market Engagement Exercise — Provision of an Education Case Management System |
The Education Authority (EA) has issued a Pre-Market Engagement (PME) exercise for the Provision of an Education Case Management System. The purpose of this PME Exercise is for the EA to gain an understanding of the latest developments and innovations in the provision of a ‘best of breed’ Education Case Management system.
The PME questionnaire is available via https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=5089073 until 12noon on Monday 20 November 2023.
All future tender documentation will be made available via https://etendersni.gov.uk website and potential tenderers should register on this website to ensure they have access to tender documentation when the tender is published. This pre-market engagement exercise is for information purposes only. Any interest shown does not constitute a commitment to participate in a procurement exercise. Failure to show interest does not restrict providers from participating in any future procurement exercise.
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03/11/2023 |
PIN - 032526-2023.pdf
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| Part 2 Consultation on draft regulations to implement the Procurement Bill |
Part 2 of the public consultation on the secondary legislation required to implement the new public procurement regime established by the Procurement Bill has now opened.
This second part of the consultation focuses on the transparency provisions and notices that will be used by contracting authorities to fulfil their legal requirements under the Bill. It also includes information on the proposed approach to transitional arrangements for procurements already underway at the time that the new regime enters into force and the position on other legislation that will need to be amended in order for the full provisions of the Bill to take effect.
The consultation is being conducted online, and you can find all relevant information, and the mechanism to respond, via our dedicated page on Gov.uk (link in the attachment). The page contains the consultation document, the draft Statutory Instrument, and a link to the survey questionnaire for you to feed back views and comments. This second part of the consultation will close at 11:45pm on 25th August 2023.
Part 1 of the consultation will close at 11:45pm on 28th July 2023. You can view the relevant consultation documents and mechanism to feedback views in the link in the attachment.
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20/07/2023 |
Procurement Bill Consultation 19.07.23.docx
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| Sculptural Artwork Commission for the Bushmills Courthouse Shared Space Creative Hub |
Enterprise Causeway invites talented artists to participate in a prestigious opportunity to create four sculptural artworks at the Bushmills Courthouse Shared Space Creative Hub.
This tender seeks visionary artists for the design, fabrication, and installation of four striking 2D/3D sculptural artworks. The maximum budget for each sculptural artwork is £50,000. Each individual artist is limited to applying for a maximum of two commissions.
This opportunity is part of the Bushmills Courthouse Shared Space Creative Hub project, supported by the EU's PEACE IV Shared Space Programme. The project aims to restore the historic grade 2 listed Bushmills Courthouse and construct a new three-story extension, creating a vibrant Creative Hub for creative businesses, the local community, and visitors.
Selected artworks will become integral elements of this iconic space, blending history with contemporary art to captivate and engage visitors.
As part of a two-stage proposal and selection process, artists will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and leave a lasting artistic legacy.
This project has been funded under the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme (managed by the Special EU Programmes Body), with match-funding provided by the Department for Communities, Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development, Ireland.
For full details and how to apply, please email thecourthouse@enterprisecauseway.co.uk
The closing date for receipt of submissions is Friday 4th August 2023 at 4pm. Applications received after this date and time will not be considered. |
07/07/2023 |
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| Procurement Reform Bill – Consultation Open |
The new Procurement Reform Bill, which is in the final stage of it’s passage through Parliament, will contain provision for Northern Ireland. Cabinet Office has now launched a public consultation on the secondary legislation required to implement this new procurement regime. It is now open for all interested stakeholders to have their say.
This is a technical consultation, split into two parts. This first part of the consultation refers predominantly to areas of the Bill which require lists, calculations or further definitions to be used in practice. Questions seek to understand to what extent the draft secondary legislation provisions implement the policy intent as established in the Bill.
The second part of the consultation will cover the transparency provisions and notices that will be used by Contracting Authorities to fulfil their legal requirements under the Act; it will also include information on the proposed approach to transitional arrangements for procurements already underway at the time that the new regime enters into force and the position on other legislation that will need to be amended in order for the full provisions of the Act to take effect.
The consultation is being conducted online, and if interested, you can respond, via Part 1 Consultation on draft regulations to implement the Procurement Bill - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) (attached separately). The page contains the consultation document, the draft Statutory Instrument, and a link to the survey questionnaire for you to feed back views and comments.
Part 1 of the consultation opened on 19 June and will close at 11:45pm on 28th July 2023. Part 2 is expected to launch in July 2023 - further details will be provided at that time.
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21/06/2023 |
Link 21.06.23.doc
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| ***ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE*** Saturday 27th of May 2023 |
eTendersNI will be performing some essential maintenance activities on Saturday 27th May. Users may experience short intermittent interruptions to eTendersNI services during this time.
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26/05/2023 |
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| Tender for provision of Wholesale Electricity Market Forecasting Software |
Since 1st November 2007, the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (“NIAUR” or “Utility Regulator”) and the Commission for Utility Regulation (“CRU”), together referred to as the “Regulatory Authorities” or “RAs”, have jointly regulated the all-Island wholesale electricity market known as the Single Electricity Market (“SEM”) covering both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The decision-making body which governs the market is the SEM Committee (“SEMC”). Further information on the SEMC’s role and relevant legislation can be found on the website, www.semcommittee.com.
The Contracting Authorities require modelling software that has an ability to forecast wholesale electricity prices and generator schedules which range from scenario analysis to directly setting forward contracts prices and volumes. The modelling software output can be vital for informing policy decisions through detailed analysis. The RAs invite tenders for the provision of Wholesale Electricity Market Forecasting Software. The tender documents can be found in the attached link. Tenderers should note that the deadline for submission of tenders has been extended to Monday 22nd May.
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18/05/2023 |
Link 18.05.23.doc
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| DFI ROADS: PROCUREMENT OF WORKS AND MAINTENANCE |
The Department for Infrastructure has published the final procurement strategy for roads construction and other related transport/civils works valued up to £5 million and road maintenance activities. Details of the procurement strategy can be found on the DfI website at https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/publications/department-infrastructure-roads-procurement-works-and-maintenance-final-strategy and the the attachment. |
15/05/2023 |
Link 15.05.23.doc
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