Background
The PA 2023 will come into force from 28 October 2024 and,
whilst it will introduce change, some elements will be familiar to
those with experience of the current procurement regime.
Key points to note:
Consolidation:
The existing regime, based on EU Directives, will be
replaced in its entirety – no more Public Contracts
Regulations 2015 or Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, for
example.
The rules remain the same, however, though there has been a move
away from the language of EU directives. We may, therefore, see
interpretation issues raised in the courts as the PA 2023 beds
in.
Objectives and principles:
The PA 2023 introduces a wider definition of procurement,
resulting in new obligations for contracting authorities before,
during and after the procurement process. These include reporting
on contract performance and termination.Contracting
authorities' objectives will be to: