Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Accepted
Single supplier database will primarily benefit suppliers, particularly SMEs, through cost savings.
Conclusion
We wanted to know whether the move to a single database will save money. The GCF told us that government will not save much money, but suppliers will save money. The GCF highlighted that it is annoying for suppliers, particularly SMEs, to have to fill in different registration systems.23
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and commits to implementing a central digital platform by Spring 2025, which will require contracting authorities to upload procurement information under the new Procurement Act, addressing the issue of multiple registration systems for suppliers.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2025 1.2 Much of the requested data will now be required as standard as part of the Procurement Act. Contracting authorities will have clear legal requirements to upload information on procurements to the central digital platform within certain timescales, this includes publishing contract award notices for above threshold contracts (those generally above £213,000), contract details for contracts over £5 million, Key Performance Indicators for contracts over £5 million. This list is not exhaustive and will be achieved via the submission of notices within the system - simply put, if a contract authority does not upload a particular notice, it will be in breach of statutory requirements in a way that is not the case now. The requirements for notices will be set out via secondary legislation, expected to be laid in Spring 2024. The Cabinet Office will publish a range of guidance notes and provide learning and development materials setting out these requirements.