Transforming Procurement Updates
The Procurement Act 2023: a short guide for suppliers
The Cabinet Office have released a great guide for suppliers covering the Procurement Act 2023. The guide covers the benefits of the Procurement Act from a supplier perspective, as well as information to help suppliers prepare for implementation. You can download the guide to share with your suppliers from the HEPA website here.
Central Digital Platform factsheet
The Cabinet Office have also shared a factsheet covering the Central Digital Platform. The resource takes colleagues through what the Central Digital Platform is, what it means for buyers as well as suppliers, timelines, registration, information required and support available. You can download the factsheet from the HEPA website here.
Procurement Pathway tool
The Procurement Pathway tool has been launched and is available to access here. The tool brings together procurement policy, procurement legislation, commercial best-practice Playbooks, and a suite of standard procurement templates aligned to the commercial lifecycle. An updated briefing pack to support any internal discussions is available on HEPA here (whilst this is aimed at central government departments, the content, specifically the FAQs, may be helpful to colleagues).
National Procurement Policy Statement survey
Whilst the NPPS survey was open until midday yesterday, in parallel to this the Cabinet Office team have been starting to pull together a draft statement including ideas for the Minister. HEPA are involved in this process. If you have any particular feedback that you would like to see addressed at a sector level then please do reach out to me direct so I can ensure that this is taken into account.
Eight ways you can help make research labs more sustainable
As part of their aim to reach net zero for their estates by 2040, Imperial are exploring ways to improve sustainability in research labs through a Sustainability Symposium. A recent workshop with members of Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and HEPA’s Responsible Procurement group highlighted ways to improve lab sustainability and gathered useful insights that will be taken forward by a lab supply chain working group under the responsible procurement initiative, chaired by Harriet Wallace, Imperial’s Sustainability Director.
Navigating financial challenges: a call to suppliers to support the sustainability of further and higher education
Jisc have published an open statement asking software and other suppliers to work with the sector to provide cost-effective solutions. You can read the letter and supporting notes on the Jisc website here.
Round-up
- A big thank you to all the HEPA members who joined us for the time to talk on Navigating the Future: Higher Education Procurement Recruitment Trends and Strategies, with Hannah Quinn Hill, Business Director, Michael Page Procurement & Supply Chain. Members can download a copy of the slides here, and you can catch-up on the session by watching the recording which is available here.
- You can read the latest Cabinet Office Transforming Public Procurement update here, including new guidance, learning & development and an update on the Central Digital Platform.