Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Defra Network eTendering Portal
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Contact
Network Procurement
network.procurement@defra.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
Buyer's address
https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Employee Benefits and Wellbeing TPP Comms to market
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71317200 - Health and safety services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Employee Benefits and Wellbeing TPP Comms to market
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £1
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85147000 - Company health services
- 18530000 - Presents and rewards
- 75310000 - Benefit services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) relates to Employee Benefits and Wellbeing. The intention is to share some updates regarding the application of the new Procurement Act in this area. Other such notices may be published by other category teams within Defra, and if your business operates across multiple categories you should review all relevant notices for updates.
The Procurement Act 2023 is new legislation that will change the way the public sector buys goods and services. It aims to:
• create a simpler and more flexible commercial system
• open up public procurement to new entrants
• take tougher action on underperforming suppliers
• embed transparency throughout the commercial lifecycle
The changes are expected to start on 24 February 2025.
The existing legislation will apply until 24 February 2025. After 24 February 2025, it will only apply to procurements and contracts that started before this date, i.e. if the Invitation to Tender (ITT) was published, a voluntary transparency notice was published, or a pricing request was issued.
The new features for suppliers include:
• a central digital platform
• a simplified bidding process
• more flexible commercial frameworks
• a new duty on contracting authorities to consider barriers facing SMEs and VCSEs
• a stronger exclusions framework
What will stay the same
If you are an existing or potential supplier to Defra and have live contracts, are a member of an existing framework, or are planning to bid for a procurement that has or will start prior to the new regime commencing, that arrangement will continue to be subject to the existing Public Contracting Regulations until the contract ends. The same principle applies to any contracts that are subject to any other associated procurement regulations, such as The Utilities Contracts Regulations.
What you need to do
If you are a supplier, you should:
• read the government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/transforming-public-procurement
• sign up for regular TPP updates: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdMgwpZ1kwubGUpKMLwu0ZpHS8zdWmXKgaHUJKRl-SwqQT95w/viewform
• read the government TPP Knowledge Drops: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-official-transforming-public-procurement-knowledge-drops
We recommend that you familiarise yourself with the new Central Digital Platform using these guidance videos:
• An overview of the central digital platform, an enhanced Find a Tender service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSfxoZoV3yI
• How to register an organisation and the first administrator in 3 easy steps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnjCa4swtjA
• Detailed walkthrough: How an administrator completes and updates supplier info https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4ZdbMGRqeQ
• The central digital platform, an enhanced Find a Tender service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSfxoZoV3yI
If you have a question about the new procurement act, contact the Transforming Public Procurement helpdesk at: procurement.reform@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
19 February 2025
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No