The Procurement Bill has reached its Report Stage in the House of Lords. The Government has tabled further amendments. These include : –
- A new duty on the face of the Bill to require contracting authorities to have regard to the participation of SMEs.
- Making it clear that CAs may not generally require audited accounts to test the financial standing of bidders as part of the conditions of participation, or insurance relating to the performance of the contract to be in place before the award of the contract.
- A new statutory duty on the Government to provide a central digital platform, free of charge.
- Raising contract thresholds for publication of information.
- Changing the test for conflicts of interest.
- Implementing Recommendations of the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee Report on 14 June 2022.