The session covered practical procurement areas including assessment summaries, TUPE and transparency obligations.
The Hub held our first legal training webinar of the year on 21 January, delivered in partnership with experts from Mills and Reeve, which covered a range of practical topics.
Assessment summaries
One of the key areas discussed was assessment summaries, in particular, when they should be published instead of a contract details notice. Under the Procurement Act, assessment summaries do not start at standstill. The contract award notice signifies the beginning of the eight working days, while the summaries need to be published before the notice – there is no timeframe given as to how long before.
It is clear there are some differing opinions as to whether giving some time for suppliers to digest the information provided or posting straight away would be most beneficial. However, it was noted that generally the best choice would be the latter, which is the stance that the Hub is taking. This gives suppliers eight days to review the information, ask questions or formally challenge as opposed to longer if you introduced a further review period prior to the standstill.
Transparency obligations
Another topic we discussed was transparency obligations in terms of below threshold contracts details notices. As noted in the call, this is likely to be a big burden on procurement teams, especially when looking at catalogue spend such as that under NHS Supply Chain. We will shortly be sharing some written advice on the publishing and grouping of below threshold contract details notices with our members to support the information shared in the session.
Pipeline notices
We’re coming up to one year since the first pipeline notices were issues. While you still have a few months, it may be worth starting now to ensure that your pipeline is being created and you’re clear what notices will need to be published. If you have any specific questions on what to include, please do get in touch.
Further training sessions
We have opened up registration for our East of England and Ambulance NHS procurement communities to attend our in-person Procurement Act training session on 25 February, hosted alongside Mills and Reeve. The session will look at the possibilities when using the competitive flexible procedure, horizontal and vertical arrangements, as well as instances when direct awards may be possible.
You can register to attend via the events page on our website.
Written by Ruth McColl, Assistant Director of Procurement – Corporate, Clinical and Regulation