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Crown Commercial Service issues policy note on procurement reforms and SMEs

The Crown Commercial Service has issued a Procurement Policy Note (PPN) on reforms designed to make public procurement more accessible to businesses and SMEs in particular.

The reforms are being implemented through Part 4 of the new Public Contracts Regulations 2015, which will, primarily, come into force next week (26 February).

The PPN, which can be viewed here, sets out and explains the background to the key reforms, which are:

  • Abolition of a pre-qualification stage for procurements below the EU thresholds, and a requirement to have regard to guidance on qualitative selection issued by Cabinet Office for above EU threshold procurements.
  • A requirement for contracting authorities to insert provisions in all public contracts to ensure prompt payment through the supply chain.
  • The requirement to advertise as many public sector opportunities in one place (Contracts Finder), and to publish award notices for contracts and call-offs from framework agreements.

The Crown Commercial Service stresses that the PPN sets out the main features of the legislation but is neither a complete guide nor legal advice. “You should refer to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, and seek legal advice where necessary,” it said.