TMT & Outsourcing

The public sector is increasingly reliant on digital technology and IT systems, both to function and to deliver public services. The Procurement Act substantially changes the way technology and IT are procured by the public sector, and outsourcing practices more generally. The changes include the use of more flexible award procedures, “open” and “closed” frameworks and “dynamic markets”. Used well, these should help drive efficiencies and innovation.

The Act also gives authorities more discretion to exclude suppliers, raising risks around debarment, and has a greater focus on contract management over the lifetime of the contracts procured, including the use of KPIs and monitoring and reporting requirements.

The UK Government has published an updated version of the Sourcing Playbook and a Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) Playbook, with the intention of reflecting the sector-specific aspects of the new Act (and in the accompanying secondary legislation and guidance) in these playbooks; the playbooks acting as best practice for authorities when conducting technology and IT procurements, and outsourcing more generally. 

Our sector-specific insights help you understand and navigate these new rules and their specific application in the sector.