The Procurement Act 2023 came into force on 24 February 2025 and is the biggest change to UK public procurement in a generation. It replaced the previous EU-derived regulations with a single regime designed to be simpler, more transparent and more open to SMEs. Here's what suppliers need to know.
A single central platform
In-scope notices are now published through a single central digital platform that integrates notice publishing, supplier registration and transparency data in one place, a major step up from the fragmented systems that came before.
New notice types, and earlier visibility
The Act introduced a richer set of notices across the procurement lifecycle. Several appear before a tender is even advertised, giving prepared suppliers a head start:
- Pipeline notice, published by big spenders, signalling upcoming contracts over £2m
- Preliminary market engagement notice, invites suppliers to help shape a procurement
- Planned procurement notice, advance notice of an upcoming tender
- Tender notice, the formal opportunity to bid
- Contract award and contract details notices, transparency after award
What it means for you
The emphasis on transparency and early notices means there is more signal available than ever, if you can process it. Tracking pipeline, market-engagement and planned-procurement notices lets you engage buyers early, influence specifications and prepare stronger bids. FastTender surfaces these early-signal notices automatically and flags them against your company profile.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Procurement Act 2023 take effect?+
It came into force on 24 February 2025, replacing the previous EU-derived procurement regulations.
Does the Act make it easier for SMEs to win work?+
Yes, it was explicitly designed to be simpler and more open to small and medium-sized enterprises, with greater transparency across the lifecycle.