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Central Digital Platform

Find out about the reforms to the public procurement process

Overview

  • For all contracts or individual purchased over £25,000 in value, we require suppliers to be registered on the Central Digital Platform (Find a Tender Service). 
  • Guidance on how to register can be found at the bottom of this page
  • All public contracting organisations are now using the same platform, which means that all public sector procurement opportunities are in one place
  • Suppliers now have improved visibility via Find a Tender, including advertised below threshold opportunities
  • There is greater transparency of who is bidding for and winning contracts above £5 million, copies of these contracts and their associated KPIs will also be published
  • The Find a Tender platform and standardised sections of procurement documentation provide a simplified bidding process
  • Use of the central platform and flexible frameworks, along with a change from Most Economically Advantageous Tender to Most Advantages Tender (MEAT to MAT) will help to level the playing field for SMEs and VCSEs

What has changed?

  • Central Digital Platform (Find a Tender Service) – for all contracts over £25,000 in value, Torbay Council requires suppliers to be registered on the Central Digital Platform. 
  • All public contracting organisations are now using the same platform, which means that all public sector procurement opportunities are in one place
  • Suppliers now have improved visibility via Find a Tender, including advertised below threshold opportunities
  • There is greater transparency of who is bidding for and winning contracts above £5 million, copies of these contracts and their associated KPIs will also be published
  • The Find a Tender platform and standardised sections of procurement documentation provide a simplified bidding process
  • The new regime offers the ability to award flexible Framework agreements meaning that they are not locked in with the same suppliers for their full duration and suppliers have an opportunity to join a framework at various points during its term
  • Use of the central platform and flexible frameworks, along with a change from Most Economically Advantageous Tender to Most Advantages Tender (MEAT to MAT) will help to level the playing field for SMEs and VCSEs

Information and guidance for suppliers

GOV.UK guidance

The Cabinet Office has created a dedicated supplier information page. It includes the recording of a webinar focussed on the key changes for suppliers and featured a live demonstration of the central digital platform.

Other guidance

Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) provide guidance for suppliers and buyers, including a step-by-step guide to supplier registration.