Tendering Guides | Liaison Systems Insights

29 Jun 2026

Tender Prices Could Rise Over 20% by 2029 - What It Means for Your Supply Chain

Construction tender prices could climb by more than a fifth between now and 2029, and crucially much of that cost risk is expected to be retained by the supply chain rather than passed up the chain. That's the headline from analysis by consultancy Arcadis, reported by Construction News. With steel tariffs, geopolitical instability and a new carbon border measure all adding pressure and the cost of tendering itself rising, margins are getting squeezed from both directions. This article breaks down what the forecasts say, why suppliers are most exposed, and the practical steps, including supply chain management technology, that reduce the operational and risk costs inflation brings.

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25 May 2026

PPN 03/24 Explained: What It Means for Construction Pre-Qualification

Procurement Policy Note PPN 03/24 is UK Government guidance, issued in March 2024, that directs public sector contracting authorities to use the Common Assessment Standard (CAS) when pre-qualifying suppliers for construction works. For public sector projects above the £5.337 million threshold, CAS is now the preferred pre-qualification method, replacing PAS 91. PPN 03/24 is guidance to buyers rather than a law imposed on contractors - but in practice it means CAS compliance is increasingly a gate to public sector construction work. This guide explains what PPN 03/24 says, who it affects and what suppliers and buyers should do about it.

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25 May 2026

How to Get Common Assessment Standard Certified: A Step-by-Step Guide for Suppliers

To get Common Assessment Standard (CAS) certified, you apply to one of the seven Build UK Recognised Assessment Bodies - such as Constructionline, CHAS or Compliance Chain - complete the industry-agreed question set, submit supporting evidence and pass either a desktop or site-based audit. Certification lasts one year. Because of CAS data sharing, you only need to be certified once and can then share the result with other bodies and clients. This guide walks through the process step by step, explains the two audit levels, and shows how to prepare so you pass first time.

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27 Feb 2026

Public Procurement Threshold Changes in 2026: What Buyers & Suppliers Need to Know

From 1 January 2026, updated public procurement threshold values will apply across the UK. These changes will affect which contracts fall within the full regulatory scope of the Procurement Act 2023, altering compliance obligations for both contracting authorities and suppliers. While threshold adjustments happen periodically, their practical impact is often underestimated. Changes in threshold values can shift contracts into (or out of) full regulatory coverage affecting advertising requirements, evaluation processes, transparency obligations and audit risk. Understanding what these changes mean and how to prepare is essential for procurement teams and bidders alike.

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25 Feb 2026

Carbon Reduction Plans (CRPs) Explained for Tendering

Environmental sustainability is no longer optional in public procurement. Across the UK, contracting authorities are embedding carbon reduction requirements into tender processes, making environmental transparency a formal condition of doing business with government. One of the most significant developments in this area is the requirement for suppliers to publish and submit a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP). But what exactly does a CRP involve, when is it mandatory and how does it influence tender evaluation? Understanding these requirements is now essential for any organisation bidding for public sector contracts.

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19 Feb 2026

Decision Support Systems (DSS) in Tendering: A Complete Guide

In procurement and tendering, decisions are rarely simple. Buyers must balance cost, quality, compliance, risk and commercial outcomes often under tight deadlines and with incomplete information. This complexity has driven increasing reliance on digital tools, but not all tools are created equal. One of the most powerful categories of technology in modern procurement is the Decision Support System (DSS). Simply put, a DSS is software designed to help decision-makers assess options, leverage data and choose the best course of action, not by replacing human judgment, but by enhancing it with structured analysis and evidence.

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05 Feb 2026

Aligning ISO Certifications with Tender Requirements to Win More Tenders

ISO certifications are frequently requested in public and private sector tenders. However, many suppliers make a critical mistake: they list their ISO accreditations without demonstrating how they meet the specific requirements. Buyers are not simply checking whether you hold a certificate they want evidence that your certified management systems actively support contract delivery. This guide explains how to strategically align your ISO certifications with tender requirements to maximise your evaluation score and strengthen your compliance position.

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02 Feb 2026

Using Data to Drive Better Tender Selection in UK Construction

Tender selection in UK construction is evolving beyond price and compliance forms to become a strategic, data-driven decision process. By leveraging supplier compliance history, performance indicators, capacity insights and commercial behaviour data, organisations can make more informed, objective and defensible decisions ultimately improving delivery outcomes and strengthening supply chain performance. This approach supports better governance, reduces risk and aligns procurement outcomes with commercial and operational goals providing a competitive advantage for organisations serious about supply chain excellence.

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