Framework abuse leads first Contract Shortening Order
Three Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have each been fined and the UK’s first Contract Shortening Order issued after a High Court judge found that they jointly manipulated a framework call-off process to ensure that a major NHS contract was awarded to their pre-selected preferred bidder.
KPMG still winning government contracts despite withdrawing from tendering
The accounting and consulting giant KPMG has been awarded millions of pounds of UK government contracts, despite pledging to stop bidding temporarily for public sector work after a series of corporate accountancy scandals.
Cabinet Office Model Contracts Updated
The Cabinet Office have published updated versions of the Model Services Contract (v2.0) and Mid-Tier Contract (v1.1), replacing the old standard form versions for central government procurement.
Boeing wins £460m British military logistics contract
The Ministry of Defence have announced that a logistics system critical to British military operations around the world will be supported under a new five-year, £460 million contract with Boeing.
Construction Professional Services DPS goes live
The Crown Commercial Service has announced that its Construction Professional Services Dynamic Purchasing System (RM6242) has opened for suppliers to register, ahead of its ‘go live’ date on 1 November 2021.
Updated list of Central Government Authorities enters into force
New procurement Amendment regulations enter into force today, 16 August 2021, mandating lower financial thresholds for the procurement of services and supplies as the Schedule 1 definitions of central government bodies undergoes a long overdue update.
High Court orders expedited trial over procurement challenge against London Fire Brigade
In a departure from previous cases, the Technology and Construction Court of the High Court has declined a request by a contracting authority to lift the automatic suspension of contract award proceedings following a procurement challenge.
Foundation Trusts and NHS England will need to apply a lower procurement threshold from 16 August 2021
NHS England and NHS Foundation Trusts will need to apply lower financial thresholds to the procurement of services and supplies from 16 August 2021 as new public procurement Amendment Regulations enter into force.
Northern Ireland publishes new social value driven public procurement policy
Northern Ireland’s Finance Minister has announced a new government procurement policy that will mandate a minimum allocation of 10% of total award criteria to social value from June 2022, potentially rising to 20% from 2023.
HS2 and Talgo settle procurement dispute on eve of court hearing
HS2 Ltd and the Spanish train manufacturer, Talgo, have reached an out of court settlement on the eve of a High Court hearing in relation to HS2’s conduct of its rolling stock train procurement process.
Isle of Wight Highways PPP managing consultants appointed
The Isle of Wight Council has awarded a contract worth over £300,000 to the multinational engineering consultancy Jacobs to provide the island authority with commercial and programme management support for its Island Roads PPP contract with Meridiam and Vinci Concessions.
New microbiology framework established to ensure speedy access to crucial medical supplies
A new Public Health England microbiology framework has established to ensure speedy and resilient access to medical supplies as part of the UK’s preparedness to respond to future pandemics.
NGO logistics officer jailed for bribery of procurement officials
A former logistical officer at an Irish international development charity has been jailed for over three and-a-half years in the United States for bribery of NGO procurement officials in order to receive sensitive procurement information to facilitate bid-rigging in tenders.
Central Scotland local authority launches a £6bn ‘roads and place’ strategic partnership tender
North Lanarkshire Council has launched a £5.7bn commercial place-shaping partnership contract opportunity of up to 25 years length to “re-invent North Lanarkshire as the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit”
Network Rail overhauls procurement procedures after legal challenge
Network Rail has overhauled its internal procurement process following a legal challenge by one of its long term infrastructure suppliers in relation to a £500M switches and crossings contract.
Hochtief, JT Mackley and Jones Bros JV and Balfour Beatty shortlisted for £140M Havant reservoir
Balfour Beatty, Hochtief and a JT Mackley/Jones Bros JV have been shortlisted for the main works of Portsmouth Water’s £140m Havant reservoir.
One-fifth of UK pandemic PPE contracts red flagged for ‘corruption’ risks
A review of nearly 1,000 PPE contracts by Transparency International has found that nearly one-fifth, worth some £3.7bn, which “merit further investigation” due to their award to politically connected companies or persons, many without a competitive tendering process.
Isle of Anglesey Council seeks Net Zero implementation partner
Isle of Anglesey Council goes out to market to seek a Net Zero by 2030 implementation partner for the Island's public sector.
