The UK’s Procurement Act 2023, scheduled to take effect on 24 February 2025, marks a major overhaul in public procurement legislation and will impact how businesses engage with public sector contracts.

With the new Act, the UK government aims to create a more streamlined, flexible, and transparent public procurement system, replacing legacy EU-based regulations. For businesses operating in sectors like construction, utilities, and facilities management, these changes present new opportunities to work with government entities while fostering a more competitive, inclusive procurement environment.

Okappy’s innovative platform aligns with the goals of the Procurement Act, making it easier for businesses to manage their public sector contracts effectively, streamline operations, and build stronger relationships with subcontractors. Here, we’ll break down key elements of the Act, its benefits, and how Okappy can help your business leverage this new procurement landscape.

Key Objectives of the Procurement Act 2023

The Procurement Act 2023 is designed to simplify public procurement, encourage competition, and foster transparency. Here are some key objectives the new legislation aims to achieve:

1. Simplification and Flexibility: The Act replaces complex EU-based rules with a single set of procurement guidelines, making the process easier to navigate for businesses of all sizes.

2. Increased Transparency: With a focus on open access to public procurement data, the Act aims to increase transparency and accountability in public spending, allowing businesses to make informed decisions about potential contracts.

3. Enhanced Accessibility for SMEs: The Act creates a more accessible and competitive market by opening up public procurement opportunities to a wider range of suppliers, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social enterprises.

4. Incentives for Value-Driven Contracts: Beyond lowest-price criteria, the Act encourages contracting authorities to consider factors such as quality, social value, and environmental impact.

By understanding these goals, businesses can position themselves to take advantage of the new procurement landscape and align their operations with the Act’s principles.

How the Procurement Act 2023 Impacts Businesses in Field Service

Businesses in field service management, construction, and utilities may find changes in the way public sector contracts are awarded and managed. Here’s a breakdown of how the Act affects different aspects of the procurement process:

1. Centralised Digital Platform

Under the new Act, the UK government will introduce a centralised digital platform, allowing suppliers to register once and manage their information in a single location. This platform is intended to make it easier for businesses to submit bids, reduce administrative overheads, and provide greater visibility into upcoming contract opportunities.

How Okappy Can Help: Okappy’s platform allows you to centralise and streamline operations, making it easier to maintain consistent records and job updates across your teams. By keeping all contract-related information in one place, you can access the data needed for tenders and contracts in the central government platform, saving time and reducing errors.

2. Real-Time Reporting and Transparency

Transparency is at the heart of the Procurement Act. Public authorities will need to provide regular updates and make procurement data available for public scrutiny. This push for transparency benefits suppliers by making project progress and contract performance more visible.

How Okappy Can Help: Okappy’s real-time job management and reporting tools provide visibility into every stage of a project, from assignment to completion. With a centralised view of your operations, you can easily track progress, produce clear records, and ensure all stakeholders have access to accurate, up-to-date information – a feature that supports the transparency goals of the new Act.

3. Focus on Quality and Social Value

The Procurement Act 2023 emphasises awarding contracts based on quality, social impact, and long-term value rather than just cost. This shift aims to promote better project outcomes and align procurement decisions with government priorities such as sustainability, social impact, and economic growth.

How Okappy Can Help: With Okappy’s platform, you can build a robust network of subcontractors, suppliers, and service providers who share your commitment to quality and sustainability. Our platform’s document management features allow you to maintain all necessary compliance and environmental documentation, ensuring that your bids reflect the high standards that public contracts now prioritise.

The Benefits of Using Okappy for Public Procurement

Okappy’s collaborative platform is uniquely suited to help businesses navigate the new procurement environment, enhancing your ability to secure and manage public contracts effectively.

1. Streamlined Compliance and Documentation

Public sector contracts often come with rigorous compliance standards and strict reporting requirements. With Okappy, you can centralise all project documentation, ensuring that compliance records, certificates, and necessary documentation are readily accessible. This streamlined approach makes it easy to adhere to procurement guidelines, reducing the risk of penalties or delays.

2. Enhanced Collaboration with Subcontractors and Stakeholders

One of the main goals of the Procurement Act is to create an inclusive environment for all suppliers. Okappy’s network allows you to connect and collaborate with subcontractors, clients, and public sector partners. This connectivity fosters transparency and makes it easier to share information, track project updates, and ensure all parties are on the same page. A networked approach can improve overall project performance and strengthen your business’s standing in public procurement.

3. Efficient Management of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Act requires public contracts worth over £5 million to set and publish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track supplier performance. Okappy’s analytics tools make it simple to monitor and report on your KPIs, allowing you to demonstrate value and performance to contracting authorities. By showcasing reliable data and on-time delivery, you position your business as a dependable partner for future contracts.

4. Improved Cash Flow Through Integrated Invoicing

Timely invoicing is a challenge in public sector procurement, where delays in payment can affect cash flow. Okappy’s integrated invoicing feature helps streamline billing, so you can invoice clients as soon as milestones are met. This process not only reduces the time between project completion and payment but also aligns with the Act’s provisions for prompt payments, ensuring you maintain a healthy cash flow throughout the project lifecycle.

Why Okappy is an Ideal Partner in the New Procurement Landscape

At Okappy, we understand the unique needs of field service management, particularly for companies looking to grow within the public sector. Our platform is designed to make your business operations more efficient, your communication channels clearer, and your reporting more transparent, aligning with the principles of the Procurement Act.

1. Alignment with Public Sector Priorities

Okappy’s market network encourages collaboration, transparency, and accountability – core values of the new procurement legislation. By adopting Okappy, you can ensure that your business meets the standards that public authorities now look for when awarding contracts.

2. Readiness for Future Opportunities

The new procurement environment emphasises value-driven outcomes, which means that contracting authorities are looking for innovative, reliable suppliers.

With Okappy, you can establish a strong foundation, ensuring your operations are smooth, compliant, and ready to meet the needs of public contracts.

This readiness not only boosts your credibility but also positions you to win new business as the procurement landscape evolves.

3. Support for Sustainable Growth

For companies looking to expand in the public sector, Okappy provides a scalable platform to grow your operations and manage a diverse range of projects. Our tools support sustainable growth by optimising job management, simplifying communication, and offering insights into key business metrics.

This scalability makes it easy to expand your capabilities without losing efficiency or quality.

Embrace the Future of Public Procurement with Okappy

The Procurement Act 2023 is a game-changer, opening doors for businesses of all sizes to access public sector opportunities while promoting high standards of transparency, quality, and accountability. By leveraging Okappy’s platform, your business can navigate the complexities of public procurement, enhance operational efficiency, and secure contracts that drive sustainable growth.

If you’re ready to embrace the future of field service management in public procurement, Okappy is here to support you every step of the way. Our platform is designed to help you meet the demands of the new procurement landscape while maximising the value you deliver to clients and stakeholders.

Join the growing number of companies choosing Okappy to transform their field service operations and stay competitive in a changing world. To learn more about how Okappy can help your business, contact us today or schedule a demo to see our platform in action.