Getting Ready for the Procurement Act 2023: What You Need To Know with Lisa Stubbs

In this episode of Powering Procurement, hosts Sian Lloyd and Gareth Burch are joined by Lisa Stubbs, Head of Open and Transparent Contracting at Cabinet Office. Together, they discuss how the Procurement Act (TPP) will transform UK public procurement, enhance transparency, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Lisa began her career in the civil service at 23, unsure of her future path. She quickly adapted, starting in telecoms and technology procurement for a centralised procurement organisation. Here, Lisa found space to learn and grow, with work that was both engaging and challenging.

She quickly rose to a management role and, by chance, discovered procurement policy, a field that allowed her to create new methods, rules, and legislation. Lisa was part of the team that adjusted UK procurement regulations post-Brexit, contributing to the development of a new regulatory framework.

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Episode Highlights:

[06:21] - The Procurement Reform Act Takes Center Stage: The Procurement Reform Act marks a key step in transforming public procurement by introducing a flexible, data-driven framework that aligns with government policy priorities while being adaptable to future needs. The Act is designed to streamline the procurement process, enhancing efficiency and transparency for both public sector buyers and suppliers. Through the implementation of a central digital platform, data will be consolidated, simplifying processes and reducing redundant requirements for suppliers.
[17:09] - Unleashing Flexibility in Public Procurement: The competitive flexible procedure is a game-changer for public procurement, allowing professionals to tailor procurement processes to fit specific needs, drive innovation, and enhance supplier diversity. Giving procurement specialists more freedom to apply their expertise and design customer approaches within a clear regulatory framework can lead to more impactful and creative solutions.
[23:30] - How Transparency in Procurement Drives Success: Understanding and sticking to regulations is essential for fostering innovation while maintaining accountability. Publishing clear and structured notices throughout the procurement lifecycle allows organisations to ensure that everyone involved has access to essential information, creating a culture of accountability. This level of transparency helps compliance while encouraging innovation, as it allows companies to standardise data structures, streamline workflows, and adapt to changes more efficiently.

[38:45] - Simplifying Procurement with The Central Digital Platform: The Cabinet Office is focused on leveraging technology to enhance procurement processes through the new Procurement Reform Act. A central digital platform will streamline data publication, ensuring that all procurement notices are publicly accessible while protecting sensitive information when necessary. Starting soon, the Cabinet Office will initiate extensive beta testing with users and suppliers to ensure the platform is fully operational by its February launch.

Episode Resources:

Powering Procurement is brought to you by https://atamis.co.uk/
How Atamis is supporting public bodies through to TPP go live https://atamis.co.uk/public-procurement-reform/
Lisa Stubbs on LinkedIn
Cabinet Office Website