The UK Procurement Act 2025 is set to significantly change government contracting, impacting how bid, tender, and proposal managers navigate the procurement process. In a recent VisibleThread webinar, leading industry experts Mel Bunston (Senior Capture Manager, QinetiQ), Graham Ablett (Director, Strategic Proposals), and Richard Haldenby (CEO, Salentis International) shared their insights on how bidders can adapt, prepare, and gain a competitive edge.
In this blog, we explore the webinar’s top insights, key challenges, and what these changes mean for the future of procurement. If you missed the webinar, the full discussion is available on demand here.
Are Bidders Prepared for the Procurement Act?
A poll was conducted during the webinar to gauge how prepared attendees feel about the new Procurement Act. The results showed:
- Few organizations feel fully prepared for the changes.
- Most attendees have made progress in understanding the new regulations but still have work to do.
- Some admitted they have not yet begun preparations, highlighting the need for urgent action.
While the majority of bidders are aware of the Procurement Act, many have not fully grasped how it will impact their bid strategies.
As Graham Ablett pointed out:
“Most people know about it and understand it’s coming, but how well prepared they are varies. Some have invested in training, while others have just picked up bits on social media.”
Top 5 Key Insights from the Webinar
1. The Procurement Act: A Shift, But No Immediate Overhaul.
The Procurement Act officially went live on February 24, 2025, but existing procurement processes will not change overnight. Contracts already in progress will continue under previous rules, and it will take time for the industry to fully transition.
Early market engagement will be key. The first procurements under the new Act will likely experience delays and confusion, so bidders should closely monitor updates and be ready to adapt their strategies.
"The Procurement Act did go live, but existing procurements continue under the old rules. The real impact will be felt in the coming months as new contracts are awarded under the new system."
2. Social Value is More Important Than Ever.
The social value criteria have been updated to align more closely with the UK government’s broader political and economic goals. While some areas will benefit, others may struggle to demonstrate alignment.
Bidders must align their proposals with the revised social value model by tailoring their responses to the missions that best match their sector and service offerings.
"Some missions lend themselves better to certain bids than others. If I'm bidding on a Royal Naval warship contract, it’s tough to talk about ‘taking back our streets’ as a social value mission."
3. Market Engagement is Now a Competitive Advantage.
The new rules encourage early engagement with buyers, giving bidders the opportunity to shape requirements before the official bid process begins.
Don’t wait until the formal RFP release—start engaging with government buyers now to influence procurement criteria and position your company ahead of competitors.
"The new approach to market engagement is great news for bidders who engage early. The government wants dialogue before procurement decisions are made, and those who take advantage of this will gain an edge."
4. Increased Transparency in KPI Reporting.
Authorities will now publicly report on supplier performance, making it easier to track whether contract winners deliver on their commitments.
Expect greater accountability in contract performance. Use this new transparency to evaluate competitors and ensure your own contract performance meets or exceeds expectations.
"For the first time, KPI performance will be publicly available. This is an opportunity to gather competitor intelligence and also a risk if your own delivery falls short."
5. AI in Public Sector Procurement: The Unanswered Questions.
The UK government is cautiously embracing AI, but procurement teams are still uncertain about its full implications. While AI can improve efficiency, its role in bid writing, compliance checks, and evaluation remains unclear.
Bidders should start integrating AI responsibly while staying informed on policy developments to ensure compliance with future procurement requirements.
"The Procurement Policy Note on AI feels about six months behind the curve. It mostly focuses on protecting against AI ‘hallucinations’ and data breaches, but the bigger issue is ensuring bidders know how to use these tools effectively."
Q&A Session: Key Takeaways
The Q&A segment covered several pressing concerns from the audience. Here are some of the standout discussions:
Q: How can SMEs position themselves to take advantage of the Procurement Act?
A: SMEs can leverage the new transparency rules to find more opportunities and partner strategically with larger firms. They should also review PPN 001, which outlines government targets for SME participation.
Q: Will there be a standard procurement timeline under the new rules?
A: No fixed timeline has been established. The competitive flexible process allows buyers to adapt procurement timeframes based on contract complexity.
Q: How will AI impact the bidding process?
A: The use of AI in proposal writing will likely increase, but bidders must fact-check AI-generated content to avoid errors and non-compliance.
Closing Thoughts
The UK Procurement Act 2025 represents a major shift in public sector bidding. With changes to market engagement, social value, KPI reporting, and AI adoption, bidders must be proactive in adapting their strategies.
As Richard Haldenby summed it up:
“The best-prepared bidders will be those who start engaging early, align with the right social value missions, and track performance metrics closely.”
This insightful discussion is available on-demand. Watch the full webinar now .
