What is the Procurement Act 2023?
The Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) is the primary legislation governing public procurement in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It came into force on 24 February 2025, replacing the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and related instruments with a single consolidated framework. Scotland has its own procurement legislation and was not in scope for PA23.
Key changes for suppliers
New notice types: Planned Procurement Notices must be published at least 40 days before a tender notice for certain above-threshold contracts. Tender Notices replace the old Contract Notice. Contract Details Notices must be published within 30 days of contract award. Competitive Flexible Procedure replaces the old Restricted Procedure, giving buyers more discretion in structuring competitions. Updated exclusion grounds include modern slavery, environmental violations, and a new centralised debarment list maintained by the Cabinet Office. Below-threshold principles of value for money, transparency, and fair treatment now apply nationally.
New thresholds under the Procurement Act
| Category | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Central government goods and services | £139,688 |
| Sub-central government goods and services | £213,477 |
| Works (all authorities) | £5,372,609 |
| Light-touch regime | £663,540 |
| Utilities goods and services | £429,809 |
| Concessions | £5,372,609 |
The Central Digital Platform
PA23 establishes a Central Digital Platform (CDP) as the mandatory registration and notice publication system. All suppliers are required to register and will be issued a UK Procurement Programme Number (UKPPN), replacing the DUNS number previously used. Registering creates a reusable supplier profile that flows through to procurement competitions, reducing duplication.
Transparency requirements
Planned Procurement Notices must be published 40 days before a tender notice for most above-threshold contracts. Contract Details Notices must be published within 30 days of award, giving suppliers rapid visibility of who won and on what terms. Contracting authorities must publish pipeline notices covering anticipated above-threshold contracts above £2 million, providing an 18-month forward look at major buyers' procurement pipelines.
What changes in practice for most SMEs
For most SMEs, the day-to-day experience of tendering has not changed dramatically. The most significant practical changes are earlier pipeline notices (more advance intelligence on upcoming tenders), stricter transparency around contract awards (easier competitor analysis), and the updated exclusion grounds.
How TenderSignal helps under the new Act
PA23's expanded pipeline notice requirements mean more advance intelligence is available. TenderSignal captures planned procurement notices and pipeline notices published on Find a Tender alongside tender notices, so you see opportunities at the earliest published stage. Pipeline intelligence in TenderSignal uses this data, alongside contract end dates, to identify contracts likely to be re-tendered in the coming months.