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All About the £480m NHS IT Deal

The US analytics and AI firm Palantir, partnering with Accenture, could be awarded as the £480m Federated Data Platform (FDP) procurement winner. The announcement is expected after ministers signed off on the decision. Palantir, the current supplier for FDP, was widely seen as the favourite throughout the procurement process. Its main rivals were Oracle and IBM. Background on ...

Maximising Export ROI: Government Procurement Insights

In the ever-evolving landscape of international trade, pursuing a higher Return on Investment (ROI) is a paramount goal for businesses engaged in export activities. While traditional strategies focus on market analysis and customer preferences, a transformative approach is emerging – one that harnesses the power of government procurement insights to unravel new opportunities. Here are some ...

Changing Landscape of UK Defence Contracting

Government procurement always involves navigating complex regulations, but few areas are more intricate than defence acquisitions. In our previous article, "EU's First Joint Defence Procurement Deal", we describe details about the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Agreement (EDIRPA). EDIRPA seeks to address the longstanding fragmentation of demand among EU member states and aims to ...

Blockchain falls out of favour

Not long ago, blockchain technology was touted as the go-to technical solution to a raft of government problems. From social security to smart contracts, blockchain was going to be the product that could revolutionise public services. In the past, we explored the question of whether procurement needs blockchain technology in an article "Does Procurement Need Blockchain?". In ...

8 Reasons Why Procurement Doesn’t Need Blockchain

Blockchain is fundamentally a database, but rather than a database where one item is allowed to replace another, each change to the data is added as new record that is then chained to other records using a complex algorithm. These records are then distributed across multiple instances, so the records aren't held in a central database but ...

Assessing the Procurement Act 2023: What’s in Store for UK SMEs?

The Procurement Bill recently received Royal Assent on 26 October, becoming the Procurement Act 2023. This legislation represents one of the most substantial overhauls of the UK's public procurement system in decades. While now law, the Act's provisions still need to be fully in force. Full implementation is expected in October 2024 after a transition period. We have ...

Is AI Chatbots the future of Government Procurement data accessibility?

Government procurement data encompasses valuable information - supplier details, contract values, and spending patterns. However, navigating this complex data landscape has traditionally been arduous for citizens, businesses, and even procurement professionals. Artificial intelligence (AI) integration is transforming accessibility with the emergence of AI-powered chatbots that deliver instantaneous, personalised data retrieval. A New Frontier of Accessibility Navigating the wealth ...

Rebuilding Ukraine: How Businesses Can Leverage the DREAM Platform for Impact and Opportunity

Businesses looking to enter and grow in the promising Ukrainian market should consider leveraging the new Digital Reconstruction Ecosystem for Accountable Management (DREAM) system. This digital platform offers a transparent, efficient way for businesses to participate in Ukraine's massive reconstruction efforts as the country rebuilds from the destruction of war. Transparency and Accountability Through DREAM With damage estimates ...

From Raw Data to Strategic Insights: Government Procurement Potential

Data-driven decision-making in the realm of government procurement has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The mountains of raw data generated through procurement processes holds untapped potential to drive efficiency, transparency, and optimal resource allocation. This article explores the journey from raw data to strategic insights, showcasing how governments can maximise their procurement potential. The Data ...

EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation Go Live: Impact on Public Procurement Bidding

Adopted in December 2022, the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) addresses the European Union (EU) internal market distortion caused by foreign subsidies. This regulation closes the regulatory gap concerning subsidies from foreign states, which was not covered by EU State aid rules applicable to EU countries. The notification obligations under the updated FSR came into force ...

Export Strategy: Harnessing Government Procurement Data

In the dynamic global trade landscape, successful exporting requires a strategic approach that leverages valuable insights and data-driven decision-making. One often untapped source of actionable information is government procurement data. Integrating this data into your export strategy can provide a powerful blueprint for success, offering valuable insights into market trends, demand patterns, and growth opportunities. This ...

What the New UK Procurement Bill Means for Suppliers

The UK's upcoming Procurement Bill, designed to reshape the post-Brexit public procurement system, is entering its final legislative phase. The House of Lords is reviewing amendments proposed by the Commons, with the next session scheduled for October 24, 2023. This stage is the last hurdle before the bill becomes law. The anticipated launch date for the new ...

Transparency in Global Public Procurement

Transparency is a cornerstone of accountable and responsible governance, particularly in public procurement. Ensuring procurement transparency is a matter of ethical governance and a catalyst for efficiency, fair competition, and economic growth. But the role of transparency in public procurement extends beyond ethical governance; it contributes to the creation of equitable and competitive markets. Here are five ...

EU’s First Joint Defence Procurement Deal

The European Parliament has taken a significant step in enhancing the defence industry and international relations with its first-ever joint procurement agreement for defence. Named the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Agreement (EDIRPA), this project was initiated in response to the war in Ukraine. Combating Fragmentation of Demand EDIRPA seeks to address the long-standing fragmentation ...

Using Data To Transform Government Procurement

Data-driven transformation is reshaping government procurement by enabling a shift from reactive to proactive decision-making. Here are some of the ways data is supporting that shift. Transparency and Accountability Data strengthens transparency and accountability through real-time monitoring and reporting. Governments can monitor procurement processes in real-time using data analytics. This transparency ensures compliance with regulations, reduces fraud, and ...

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