APMP UK’s Procurement Focus Group – The First 18 Months
Our Intent
The APMP UK Procurement Focus Group was formed in the Spring of 2024, partly in response to the introduction of the UK Procurement Act (PA23). The group is made up of APMP member volunteers, drawn from a range of different industries and business sizes, all primarily delivering publicly funded contracts. The group’s aim is to raise member awareness around procurement reform, as well as to give APMP UK a louder voice in influencing procurement policy making and best practice.
PA23 is geared to making public procurement more efficient and more accessible to suppliers of all sizes and backgrounds. It has introduced more simplified and flexible procurement mechanisms, including the new Central Digital Platform. It’s facilitated an evaluation emphasis away from the Most Economically Advantage Tender (MEAT) and towards the Most Advantages Tender (MAT); or in other words, emphasising being the best supplier, not necessarily the cheapest. Other PA23 reforms include increased emphasis on KPIs, and a Debarment List for suppliers with a record of misconduct or serious underperformance.
Achievements to date
The APMP UK Procurement Focus Group has achieved a lot over its first 18 months. It undertook an initial members survey to ascertain how members were readying for PA23 ahead of its mobilisation in February 2025. Alongside the findings of that research, the group has also produced a PA23 FAQ Fact Sheet and a White Paper on Progressing Procurement Best Practice in the UK – with all these resources available on the APMP UK website. The group has presented at TBO, APMP UK’s flagship event, as well as hosting webinars, panel forums, and roadshow events in London, Reading and Nottingham.
Most recently the group has secured a seat on the Cabinet Office’s MSS Industry Forum and has formally responded to the 2025 further consultation on procurement reform. It continues to assess emergent practices, both good and bad, and challenge these where appropriate, as PA23 beds in. It also aims to look further at B2B procurement, sat outside of legislation, to equally champion best practice. If you are interested in getting involved with the Procurement Focus Group, or just have a general question, please get in touch.