Atamis: Powering Procurement as Reform Approaches

With the UK set to introduce the Procurement Act, Atamis is supporting public sector organisations in the build-up to the new legislation coming into force. 

Atamis is a leading UK procurement software provider focused on increasing efficiencies throughout the strategic sourcing cycle. The Atamis system has been deployed to more than 300 organisations, including many public sector organisations. Its three core apps can operate standalone but also integrate together to deliver an end-to-end software solution. Atamis’ catalogue of enhancers and integrations, coupled with unique configurability, empowers clients to build a platform tailored to their specific procurement needs and processes. 

With the new legislation fast approaching, Atamis is relying on the agility and adaptability of both its team and product offering to prioritise client needs with a focus on compliance and efficiency. 

Supporting public sector clients

The new legislation has been looming for several years following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016. 

However, the Parliamentary Bill finally received Royal Assent in October 2023, a moment which served as something of a starting pistol for Atamis. Its team quickly set to work on supporting clients and the wider industry amid these changes.

“We recognised the complexity and multifaceted nature of the project, so we implemented a clear communication and client engagement strategy,” says Gareth Burch, Product Director at Atamis.

“A cross-departmental team was assembled, led by our Product Manager, Kate Stavrides, to deliver subject-specific webinars and written communications for our public sector clients.

“We also established a dedicated central web-based resource page where our public sector clients can find all key information and resources pertaining to the updates on TPP as and when they are available.”

Atamis developed a dedicated web resource where clients could access key Cabinet Office updates, recordings of delivered webinars, video guidance on new notices and written updates detailing available template specifications, helping public sector organisations in their efforts to work toward the new legislation.

What’s more, to support these numerous public sector clients, Atamis created a dedicated project team. With the Act having gained Royal Assent, dedicated client support and communication plans were activated and included the following:

• Early confirmation of Atamis delivery plans and timeframes to enable clients to plan their own activities and preparations

• A dedicated client resource page

• Webinars

• Video guides.

• Subject-specific presentations.

So, why has the Atamis team implemented such measures? 

“Two of our core values are that we, as a procurement software partner, are motivated and supportive,” adds Kate. 

“This commitment is evident in our approach to client services and product development. We remain committed to delivering compliant, future-focused solutions that meet the needs of all our clients.”

Adjusting to the Procurement Act

The Procurement Act 2023 will reshape the current regulations, replacing and consolidating existing laws into a single, unified legal framework. This will simplify and give businesses a greater sense of the procurement process, meaning regulations are simpler to negotiate.

It is also a result of the fallout from Brexit, as it will introduce new procedures for government departments and the wider public sector and dismiss current EU regulations

Rules including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 and the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 will all be changed.

Social changes are also in the offing, as the new law will require contracting authorities to consider the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of local neighbourhoods while making procurement decisions – representing a move from MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) to MAT (Most Advantageous Tender).

Atamis believes that, for public sector organisations, ensuring they have in place a procurement software provider that is engaged and ready to offer support is key to successful implementation.

Tips for businesses supplying the public sector include:

• Register with SIS to be ready for new opportunities

• Sign up for alerts for new opportunities on FTS and individual organisations’ supplier portals

• Use new information from pipeline notices in 2025 to drive longer-term business strategy, identifying opportunities and expanding offerings to meet future public sector needs.

The impact on the future of procurement

Post-Royal Assent, Atamis saw it as essential to establish a procurement landscape primed to cope in a rapidly-evolving world.  As digitalisation and technological innovations, such as AI, continue to redefine the world, and the spectre of the climate crisis looms ever larger, the industry must adapt.

But procurement also stands uniquely positioned to address these pressing challenges, offering a clear national vision and substantial investment to lead changes throughout the economy.

As with the focus on social value, the Bill will impose more rigorous demands for reporting and set ambitious targets for achieving net-zero sustainability. As for the potential legislative response to technological innovation and AI, this remains a work in progress.

The Cabinet Office will be tasked with providing a centralised, modern digital platform for contracting bodies to use in their procurement endeavours. This signifies a keen awareness of the digitisation challenges that lie ahead.

Kate concludes: “The provisions in the new legislation to support increased opportunities for a wider range of suppliers, particularly SMEs and VCSEs, coupled with the long-term transparency that pipeline notices will bring, will open up the market to businesses that may not have had the confidence or resource to expand their services into the public sector previously.

“By being able to see the pipeline of contracts (18 months), bidding will become less resource-intensive through centrally stored data that can be reused and shared.

“October 2024 is just the beginning. Atamis plans to continue supporting clients with the phased introduction of the legislation over the coming years. We will continue to actively work with the Cabinet Office to ensure we support our clients and deliver a compliant, effective solution as the later phases are finalised and delivered.”

To read the full story in the magazine click HERE

Visit atamis' website to get an indepth look at how they're supporting clients through TPP https://atamis.co.uk/public-procurement-reform/

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