The UK’s recent decision to leave the EU will not only have profound implications for it & EU but also for the wider world in terms of global trade.
To address this, the Centre of European Law King’s College London is hosting a series of evening seminars @ £20 each, examining these issues and the likely options resulting from the outcome of whatever legal settlement is negotiated between the UK the EU at some unspecified point in the future. These will include The Swiss Model*, WTO, State Aid and Public Procurement amongst others, over the next six months.
To quote the Centre for European Law ‘an outstanding array’ of King’s College’ expertise will conduct these seminars over this academic year ‘covering twelve different areas of law on which Brexit is likely to have an impact’.
The full details of these and registration links are available at: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/law/research/centres/european/Brexit-Seminar-Series-Schedule.pdf
Topics already covered by recent open lectures were ‘Opening Transatlantic Markets’ and ‘After Brexit: is the EEA an option for the UK?’ Details of some conference materials are available to download at: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/law/research/centres/european/index.aspx
Whether a legal professional or not, if you are interested in gaining a better insight on the implications these huge legal and constitutional changes will have on you and your company, inside or outside the single market, these seminars are to be recommended.
*Already presented.
The Public Contracts Regulations
Supplies & Services (except subsidised services contracts)
Subsidised services contracts
Works (including subsidised works contracts)
Light Touch Regime for Services
Small lots
The Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016
Supplies and Services
Works
Small lots
The Concession Contracts Regulations 2016
The Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011
Supplies and Services
Works
Small lots
The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 set out a number of rules for publication of public procurement notices on the Contracts Finder portal. For SME's and voluntary or charitable organisations (VCSEs) Contracts Finder offers easier access to public contract opportunities under the WTO GPA procurement thresholds necessitating publication on Find A Tender (FTS).
The notice types found on contract finder are:
1. Early engagement
Inviting feedback from industry on early procurement ideas (also known as ‘pre-procurement dialogue’).
2. Future opportunities
Information on procurements that are likely to be published in the future. The notice can be used to indicate when existing frameworks, or approved supplier lists or contracts are going to be available to be bid on.
3. Opportunities
Live invitations to tender. Used to seek to seek supply chain partners to bid for open public sector opportunities, or to tender for
subcontracts in support of delivering a public sector contract, or for lower value contracts.
4. Awarded contracts
Procurement opportunities that have been awarded to a supplier/suppliers.
NHSX is a new joint organisation that will be responsible for digital, data and technological initiatives across the NHS. It aims to take forward digital transformation initiatives within the NHS and introduce the latest digital services and technology in the healthcare system.
A statement from the Department of Health and Social Care states that, among its responsibilities, NHSX will reform procurement by:
“helping the NHS buy the right technology through the application of technology standards, streamlined spend controls and new procurement frameworks that support our standards”
NHSX will work closely with the NHS and the wider digital economy, to ensure that patients and staff have access to world-class digital services. Training will be part of this to ensure that staff are “digital ready”.
The new threshold values have been increased by 6% and apply from January 1, 2018
For contracting authorities such as central government departments/agencies and local authorities:
For contracting authorities in the utilities sector: