Essential changes for suppliers
Contents
Overview
Due to new government laws and a new eProcurement system, there are two important changes for our suppliers.
To keep doing business with the Council, please read and act on the following:
- Procurement Act 2023 (national law)
- New Open Portal (North East regional initiative)
Procurement Act 2023
The new Procurement Act 2023 will start on 24 February 2025.
Please make sure you stay up to date with any new training or updates about the new procurement rules.
South Tyneside Council is working with the Government Commercial Function, Transforming Public Procurement, and the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) to follow the new law.
For more information on the Procurement Act 2023 and what you need to do, see GOV.UK: Central Digital Platform - factsheet (HTML)
Central Digital platform for suppliers
As part of the new Procurement Act 2023, you must register on the new Central Digital Platform on 24 February 2025.
This is to access opportunities, submit tender information, and manage contracts with public sector organisations.
Video guides and user manuals are available to help you register and use the platform, see GOV.UK: Information and guidance for suppliers.
Please read or watch all the guidance on GOV.UK: Information and guidance for suppliers before registering.
New Open platform
You must register on the new procurement platform to do business with South Tyneside Council, including accessing and bidding for public sector opportunities issued by South Tyneside Council.
Open replaces the NEPO Portal and is used by all North East local authorities to advertise and tender public sector opportunities.
Visit www.open-uk.org to create an account. It is free to register.
Visit the Open Hub for FAQs and how-to guides to help you use the system, see Open Hub.
Please note, you must register on the new Central Digital platform before you can do anything on the NEPO Open portal.