Central Digital Platform Set to Transform Public Procurement

A new Central Digital Platform is set to transform public sector procurement, according to Cabinet Office Minister Georgia Gould, who confirmed its launch date while responding to a question from Alex Burghart MP.

She revealed that the Central Digital Platform (CDP) will go live on 24 February 2025, coinciding with the introduction of a new procurement regime under the Public Procurement Act: “The Central Digital Platform is currently being developed and will be operational and ready for use when the new procurement regime comes into force.”

The minister also highlighted collaboration between the Cabinet Office and e-procurement systems providers, ensuring both contracting authorities and the suppliers are prepared for the upcoming changes.

The CDP is designed to revolutionise the procurement process, enhancing efficiency and, crucially, transparency. As part of the government’s broader modernisation efforts, this platform is set to make navigating the public procurement landscape much smoother.​​​​​​​

Supporting smaller businesses

Plans for the CDP were initially unveiled earlier this year by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), with a special emphasis on helping smaller firms win more public sector contracts.

The platform is expected to level the playing field, making it simpler for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to understand buyer needs and participate in the bidding process.

CCS has been vocal about the platform’s features, which include a user-friendly common portal, contract-building functions, e-signatures and digital filtering. These functions aim to simplify the experience for both public sector buyers and potential suppliers, ensuring the right match for contracts.

The platform will guide public sector buyers to appropriate commercial agreements based on their requirements, streamlining what can often be a complex and time-consuming process.

Additionally, it offers a new, transparent way for suppliers to engage in public tenders without the need for heavy promotion or signposting, something that often disadvantages smaller businesses.​​​​​​​

Simplifying procurement for SMEs

The new digital platform forms part of the CCS’s broader SME Action Plan, which is focused on making the procurement process more accessible for smaller companies. As the largest public procurement organisation in the UK, CCS is committed to simplifying procurement and increasing the diversity of suppliers who can access public contracts.

One of the significant advantages for SMEs is the introduction of a standard catalogue and payment system for purchasing certain products, which will reduce the administrative burden of registration and promote fair competition

CCS’s system will allow public buyers to use a credit card linked to the system, which is expected to eliminate additional merchant fees - another potential barrier for smaller businesses.

By offering this streamlined approach, the platform will give SMEs a clearer path to secure public contracts without needing to compete with large corporations on administrative expenses. This is a crucial step in supporting smaller businesses, which often struggle with complex procurement systems.

Looking to the future

As part of the wider CCS plans, the procurement platform will also introduce a single sign-on system for its services, using data from Companies House and Dun & Bradstreet, among others. This central identification index will further reduce bureaucratic hurdles for businesses looking to engage with public sector opportunities.

Richard Denny, Director of CCS’s corporate pillar, explained that the digital transformation is aimed at ensuring equal opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

He said, “SMEs bring diversity and innovation to our supply chains and levelling the playing field for businesses of all sizes will bring economic and social benefits as well as supporting the UK to grow the economy.”

In addition to this, the action plan includes a commitment to creating an SME working group, simplifying procurement processes and improving overall market engagement. These efforts align with the government’s mission to foster a more dynamic and diverse supplier base in the public sector.

In a further bid to boost supplier diversity, CCS has also rolled out its voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector action plan. This initiative is designed to increase the participation of VCSEs in public procurement processes, breaking down barriers that have historically limited their involvement in public contracts.

With these wide-reaching reforms, the government’s procurement strategy is entering a new era, one that promises to be more inclusive, efficient and transparent, offering businesses of all sizes a fair chance to compete. The new digital platform, set to launch in February, marks a significant milestone in that journey.

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