We start at the beginning of the procurement lifecycle and cover pre-procurement market engagemen (AKA “soft market testing”).

The Queen’s speech last week has confirmed that it is full steam ahead with procurement reform, with the new Procurement Bill expected in September 2021. We outline the next steps in our insight.

In this update, Capsticks’ procurement specialists summarise two important procurement cases for bidders and contracting authorities from winter 2020/2021.

PPN 01/21 reiterates the PPN issued at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic setting out the procurement options available to Contracting Authorities during an emergency—further highlighting the commercial risks inherent in direct awards without competition.

The Government has issued its Green Paper on procurement reform. In this insight, we examine the proposals, whether this will be the simpler, cheaper regime promised and what procurement might look like for registered providers in the future.

The Cabinet Office has issued a new PPN setting out principles for the procurement of “below threshold” contracts following Brexit. We answer some of the most common questions around the new PPN.

A new PPN issued by the Cabinet Office provides further guidance on working in partnership with suppliers to deliver contracts during COVID-19, and also looks forward to transition planning in order to exit from relief in the period July to October.

Most procurement teams will have needed to consider abandoning a procurement process at some point and perhaps particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cabinet Office has issued a procurement policy note (PPN 01/20) setting out guidance on public procurement and responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, this details the procurement options to consider when responding to the impact of COVID-19.

In Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust v Cornwall Council [2019] EWHC 2211 (TCC) the Technology and Construction Court has again confirmed that it is very risky for a bidder to delay bringing a claim under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

NHS clients are looking at innovative ways to seek investment in and development of their existing estate and facilities within limited budgets, but previously well-known solutions for these arrangements have been called into question.

The Technology and Construction Court has maintained the suspension of adult health and social services contract, thereby preventing a commissioner from entering into a contract with its preferred bidder.