Victoria attends The In-Tend Community Procurement Conference

All change with the 2023 Procurement Act

The In-Tend Community Conference, held on September 11th, 2023, was a highly anticipated event in the procurement and supplier communities. This year, the conference took place at Wentworth Woodhouse, a grand stately home located in the beautiful South Yorkshire countryside.

Victoria Pittman, Head of Client Services/Business Development represented Granby at the conference.

Changes to Public Sector Buying Rules

The main focus of the event was the impact of the upcoming Procurement Act, which is currently making its way through Parliament on both buyers and suppliers. Following the UK’s exit from the EU, the government has proposed significant reforms to the rules governing public sector buying.

Best Practice

The conference catered to both the “buyer” and “supplier” sides of the procurement process. It provided a platform for the procurement community to come together and share knowledge and best practices. For buyers, the conference offered seminars that covered the latest updates to regulations and developments in the world of e-procurement. Staying up-to-date with these changes is crucial for buyers to navigate the procurement landscape effectively.

For Granby, as a supplier, there was great interest in the sessions focused on honing and improving skills in finding and completing tenders. Additionally, there were informative sessions on the upcoming legislation.

“Suppliers face many difficulties in being recognised as experts within their field and for SMEs such as Granby it was encouraging to see how the new legislation should create better opportunities.” Adam Doyle

Transparency and potential disqualification for poorly performing suppliers

One of the highlights of the conference was the in-depth discussion surrounding the forthcoming Procurement Act. The new Procurement Act aims to simplify and make the system more transparent, making it easier for SMEs to win contracts and allowing the government to disqualify poorly performing suppliers.

For suppliers, this means several changes and potential opportunities. Firstly, the Act aims to create a simpler and more transparent system, making it easier for suppliers, especially SMEs, to win contracts. This is great news for smaller businesses looking to compete in the procurement market.

Additionally, the Act also aims to empower the government to disqualify poorly performing suppliers. This means that suppliers will need to ensure they maintain high standards and deliver quality services to avoid being disqualified from future contracts. The Act may introduce new procedures around tendering, which suppliers will need to familiarise themselves with to ensure compliance.

And suppliers can expect to see more notices around pipelines, assessment summaries, and contract terminations. These notices will provide valuable information and insights into upcoming opportunities and potential risks. Speakers advised that by staying informed and proactive, suppliers can position themselves strategically to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Procurement Act.

Changes to the Procurement landscape

The Procurement Act represents a significant shift in the procurement landscape, aiming to create a fairer and more efficient system. While it may introduce new challenges and requirements for suppliers, it also presents new opportunities for growth and success. Suppliers should stay updated on the developments of the Act and leverage resources like In-Tend to navigate the changing procurement landscape effectively.

“This was a great opportunity to see how the landscape of procurement is shifting, the challenges faced post Brexit and the work that is being done to make procurement fair and accessible for both buyers and suppliers ” Victoria Pittman

Illuminating

Overall, the In-Tend Community Conference was a fascinating and illuminating day and with the upcoming Procurement Act and its potential implications, the conference provided valuable insights and guidance for both buyers and suppliers. As the industry continues to evolve, events like these will play a crucial role in keeping professionals informed and prepared for the future of procurement.