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Public Sector Procurement Surges: £454M in Digital Access Projects
Key trends and strategies to win public sector contracts, from digital inclusion to sustainability.
Hey there👋
How are public services bridging the digital gap? New data from "Digital Infrastructure to Digital Inclusion" shows public institutions now lead 53.6% of digital access projects. This shift is visible in today's procurement data, where £454.16M in public spending went to projects that connect services with citizens.
💡 Good to Know
📍 Location: Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester
⏰ Time: Friday, January 24, 2025, 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM GMT
👥 For: A fully-funded workshop for Greater Manchester businesses on mastering public sector tenders, with focus on construction opportunities.
Here’s an overview of recent developments:
£454.16M awarded: Procurement surges—are you in the game?
£15M apprenticeship contract: Cumberland Council seeks talent—will you bid?
85% contracts with social value: Sustainability is key—how will you respond?
£69B funding boost: Opportunities in care & infrastructure—ready to compete?
Let’s dive into the details👇
DAILY SPEND WATCH
📊 Public Sector Spending Analysis: Contracts Finder Report December 18th, 2024
December 18th's procurement activity reached £454.16M across 333 contracts, with framework agreements leading at 45% of value. The market shows clear movement toward outcome-based specifications, particularly in healthcare and IT transformation initiatives.
Sustainability & Social Value
Sustainable development stands prominent, with 40% of contracts requiring local supplier integration and environmental standards. Social value requirements feature in 85% of awards, while open procedures remain dominant at 60%.
Market Trends & Distribution
A 35% monthly increase in collaborative procurement signals market consolidation. The balanced 65-35% urban-rural distribution, coupled with rising cross-authority partnerships, demonstrates strategic focus on regional equity. Innovation partnerships emerge strongly in healthcare technology and digital infrastructure.
OPPORTUNITY PICKS
Client: Cumberland Council
Industry: Vocational training services
Contract Value: £15,000,000
Duration: 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2029 (with a 2-year extension option)
Closing Date: 22 January 2025, 12pm
💡 One Strategy That Could Set You Apart
Focus on mentorship and career development. Highlight how your apprenticeship program goes beyond just training to foster long-term career growth. Develop a strategy for consistent career coaching, retention plans, and ongoing support for apprentices after they complete their training. This commitment to the future success of apprentices will resonate with Cumberland Council’s values and demonstrate a true partnership approach.
NEWS
Big changes ahead: Councils receive a 3.5% funding boost for 2025-26. Highlights:
£600M Recovery Grant for struggling areas.
£3.7B for social care, fueling local projects.
Reforms create new business opportunities.
💡 Pro Tip: Focus on council tenders in care, infrastructure, and innovation to boost your business! More info can be found here.
A groundbreaking partnership between UKAEA, STFC Hartree Centre, and IBM aims to transform fusion energy research and design.
Highlights:
UKAEA shares fusion expertise and data.
IBM & STFC leverage AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and Quantum tech.
Driving innovation for clean, low-carbon energy.
💡 Success Tip: Collaborate early on transformative tech to future-proof your business.
Key Actions:
£140M boost for counter-terror police; £499M for UK Intelligence.
Introducing Youth Diversion Orders for early intervention.
Strengthening the Prevent Programme with tailored support.
Focus Areas:
The government is focusing on preventing youth radicalisation through early interventions, including cyber skills training, family support, and mentoring, to tackle risks before they escalate.
💡 Takeaway: Act early—collaborate with agencies to prevent radicalisation.
TECHNOLOGY
🔍Otterly.AI: Brand visibility tracker for AI search engines
💬Interruptible: Turn videos into AI conversations with voice cloning
📝Obsibrain: All-in-one Obsidian productivity template system
TIP OF THE DAY
🌟Want to create social impact through procurement?
Integrate Social Value into Contracts: Make social value a key criterion in all contracts—it's not just about cost!
Engage Stakeholders Early On: Involve community members and stakeholders in the planning stages of procurement projects!
Report on Social Outcomes: Regularly publish reports detailing social impacts achieved through your procurement efforts—transparency matters!
Quick Question!
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Until next time!
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