Supplying to the public sector is fundamentally different from working with private businesses. It’s governed by strict regulations that promote transparency, fairness, and accountability around the use of public funds.
These rules influence how contracts are advertised, awarded, and managed, often requiring more formal procedures and greater scrutiny. Recent changes to legislation have reshaped how we work with our suppliers.
Changes in public procurement
Three new pieces of legislation impact the way we buy works, goods and services.
- Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2024
- Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023
Procurement Act 2023
This legislation aims to simplify and modernise the way public sector bodies buy works, goods and services. The key goals are to increase transparency, improve value for money, promote innovation and support social and environmental outcomes. The Act came into force on 24 February 2025.
Procurement (Wales) Regulations 2024
These come under the Procurement Act 2023. They provide detailed rules and procedures for how the Act is implemented in Wales. The regulations ensure that procurement by Devolved Welsh Authorities (DWAs) reflects Welsh priorities and legal frameworks. They include specific provisions such as the requirement to follow the Wales Procurement Policy Statement (WPPS) instead of the UK-wide National Procurement Policy Statement, and exemptions from certain publication requirements for high-value contracts.
The Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act 2023
This legislation aims to improve public services in Wales through collaborative decision-making and socially responsible procurement. It establishes the Social Partnership Council to include various stakeholders and promotes fair work practices across the region. The Act encourages public bodies to consider social, economic, and environmental impacts in their procurement decisions.
What does this mean for my business
- Simplified and flexible procedures and bidding process
- Stronger support for SMEs and VCSEs
- Greater transparency and access to tender opportunities
- Consistent supplier feedback and accountability
- Greater focus on social value
What does my business need to do?
To be eligible to supply TfW, you’ll need to register your company details on the UK Government’s Find a Tender Service, as required by the legislation above. You’ll receive a Unique Identifier to use when submitting tenders to public sector bodies such as TfW.
You'll need your Unique Identifier (UI) to register on Sell2Wales. We advertise all our open opportunities here, including those below the procurement threshold. Registration is free and takes around 20 minutes. Once registered, please complete your public profile to showcase your business and set up alerts to get notifications for opportunities that could be right for you.
We understand navigating public sector procurement can be difficult. The following links can help you learn more about what’s required.
Useful links
Sell2Wales: Welcome to Sell2Wales - Sell2Wales
Public sector procurement | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES
The Procurement Act 2023: A short guide for suppliers (HTML) - GOV.UK
Procurement reform in Wales [HTML] | GOV.WALES
Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act | GOV.WALES
Guidance: Central Digital Platform and Publication of Information (HTML) - GOV.UK
etenderwales: e-tendering portal for Value Wales - eTenderWales
