Businesses Secretary, Alok Sharma MP, has outlined the new rules for public procurement in a message to UK businesses ahead of the end of the Brexit Transition Period on 31st December.
As a result of Brexit, the way opportunities to supply the UK public sector are advertised will change. From 11pm on 31st December, public sector contract opportunities in the UK will be published on a new Find a Tender Service (FTS)
FTS is free to use and replaces the role of Tenders Electronic Daily, the Official Journal of the EU (OJEU/TED) for procurements in the UK. Businesses can continue to access the EU portal for public contracts on the continent. Information about procurements launched by UK public contracting authorities before 23:00 on 31 December 2020 will be available on both portals.
FTS will work alongside existing procurement portals such as Contracts Finder, MOD Defence Contracts Online, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and eTendersNI which can be used to access a wide range of opportunities to supply the public sector.
Existing Contracts Finder account holders will be able to use the same login credentials for Find a Tender. Businesses can register now in preparation for its launch on 31 December.
Alok Sharma concluded:
During these turbulent times, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for everything you are doing to prepare for our new trading relationship with the EU. Making changes now will ensure you are ready to take advantage of the new legal and economic freedoms that being an independent trading nation will bring.”