The Procurement Act 2023, implemented on 24 February 2025, is the largest overhaul of procurement regulations in a generation and is mandatory for all public-contracting authorities.
It aims to bring great benefits to both the public sector and suppliers, drive innovation, deliver better outcomes, and embed transparency right through the commercial lifecycle, so everyone can access procurement data and see how public money is spent.
It’s designed to:
- boost transparency;
- create more flexible procurement processes, aligned to the marketplace, product or service;
- increase supplier engagement;
- help level the playing field for small and medium sized enterprises (SME) and voluntary, community and social enterprises;
- strengthen provisions for prompt payments;
- create more flexible commercial frameworks, giving suppliers improved access;
- develop compliance and complaints processes, and consideration of national security and debarment issues; and
- simplify the bidding process with a new central digital platform, so suppliers can register their details once for multiple bids, find a tender, and see all opportunities in one place.
You can view the Act on the UK legislation website and for the most recent updates and news, visit Transforming Public Procurement.
Why these changes matter to you
This is a pivotal time for anyone involved in public sector procurement.
As a supplier, you will need to understand the changes and new processes, which apply to all procurement opportunities published on or after 24 February 2025.
Below are some useful resources to help you understand the new regulations and what you need to do.
Government Central Digital Platform
You will need to register as a current or potential supplier on the new Government Central Digital Platform (CDP), a tool for all contracting authorities and suppliers.
The CDP includes a new, enhanced ‘Find a Tender Service’ which advertises tender opportunities combined with a simplified bidding process that should make submission of tenders easier.
- Access the Central Digital Platform (Find a Tender Service)
- View Cabinet Office guidance
In the event of registration or access issues please contact [email protected]
In addition to the Central Digital Platform, you will need to sign up to eSenders, such as In-Tend, to participate in procurements. If you are already registered there is no need for any further action.
From 1st April 2026, suppliers who are awarded a below-threshold contract must register themselves on the Central Digital Platform and obtain a “unique identifier” as part of the contract award process. This change is designed to enable better transparency of contract awards across the public sector.
The government have provided a guidance document for suppliers, as available here on their website.
The guide outlines the simple steps that you need to take in order to register and create your identifier.
Please note, if you have already registered on the Central Digital Platform, e.g. for a previous procurement, then there is no need to register again.
A few points to highlight are as follows:
- Registration is a very simple process and should only take a few minutes.
- Registration is not a condition for participating in a below-threshold procurement (it is only required by the successful bidder at contract award)
- The requirement is basic supplier registration only – there is no requirement to complete the further Supplier Information steps.
In the event of registration or access issues please contact: [email protected].
CDP share code
You will now require a CDP share code, mandated by the UK Government Cabinet Office, to submit bids. However, you can still express interest and download documents without one. See the Central Digital Platform factsheet to find out more.
Information and guidance for suppliers
GOV.UK has lots of further information and guidance on its website:
- Procurement Act 2023 – information and guidance for suppliers – information, links and videos for further details.
- Transforming Public Procurement – for resources.
- Read the full version of the Act.
- Series of ‘knowledge drop’ training videos designed specifically for suppliers, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs).
- Benefits for prospective suppliers to the public sector.
- Short guide for suppliers.
You can also join the Cabinet Office mailing list to receive regular updates and alerts when guidance material is published.
Useful video guides
- A guide for suppliers: How to register an organisation and the first administrator in three easy steps.
- A guide for suppliers: Detailed walkthrough – how an administrator completes and updates supplier information.
- A guide for everyone: An overview of the central digital platform, an enhanced Find a Tender Service.
- A guide on how to set up Consortia on Find A Tender for suppliers: A short overview for suppliers of what they need to do to register as a consortium of two or more suppliers and bid for contracts on Find a Tender service.
Fire and Rescue Services, including ourselves, are working with BlueLight Commercial (BLC) across a range of commercial activities. BLC offer supplier training or webinar events, including specific ones for micro and small businesses and VCSEs, dates and bookings details are available on their website.