Event Round Up: Fire Innovation Forum – Procurement
In October 2024 we hosted our third Fire Innovation Forum meeting focusing on procurement, and we were delighted to be joined by representatives from 10 fire and rescue services, including representatives from the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC) and Blue Light Commercial (BLC).
NFCC representatives Steve Beakhust, Steve Taylor and Gillian Fyfe gave an initial overview of the fire and rescue procurement landscape, alongside the NFCC’s priority to help improve it across digital, data and technology (DDaT) through an outcome driven approach. In support of this, the NFCC are conducting a landscape review survey to understand what systems services are using and when their contracts are up for renewal to coordinate and plan a pipeline of support.
Following this Ellie Wilkinson, Head of Commercial Government and Compliance, and Linzi Davis, Commercial Lead, both from Blue Light Commercial (BLC), presented their role in facilitating fire and rescue procurement and what the Procurement Act 2023 means for the sector.
You can watch the presentation back in full here:
Blue Light Commercial
BLC is a non-profit, limited company that was established in 2020 by the Home Office, and works with blue light organisations to help transform their commercial procurement services, delivering cost and efficiency savings back to the front line. They work with members to transform their commercial lifecycle and procurement activity, resulting in bottom-line improvements, delivering cost and time savings and a more sustainable future.
The Procurement Act 2023
Following the UK’s exit from the EU, there was a need to replace the EU Procurement Regime. Extending from this, the Procurement Act 2023 also aims to be more flexible and provide more opportunities for innovation.
The Act was initially supposed to go live in November 2024 but has been delayed until February 2025 to allow time for the inclusion of the Government’s mandate on social value in procurement.
To actualise the improved procurement processes and outcomes, Fire and Rescue services are advised to take advantage through three key areas:
1. Pre-market engagement
Through investigating the market and consulting with other organisations in the sector, it will allow service understand the art of the possible. It will allow procurers to ‘future- proof’ new technology solutions, through gathering supplier feedback on problem statements, understanding their aims more and scoping out a broader supplier base.
2. Improving supplier access, engagement and performance
This provision will help reduce the barriers for SMEs to participate in the market, and in doing so increases innovative competition. The transparency of Frameworks will allow them to be more agile and support rapidly changing technologies and markets, and provides opportunity for companies to engage at the early stages.
3. Competitive flexible procedure
This fit-for-purpose structure allows procurement leads to design their procedure, allowing the optional inclusion of multiple stages through the supplementary assessment process. The procedure allows procurers to assess their needs, objectives and markets, and adapt their procurement process accordingly. This is particularly useful when the pre-market engagement stage reveals that there is potential to drive additional value or if the system is complex, as this enables procurers to collaborate with suppliers to confirm a design proof of concept.
Keep an eye on our website to sign up for our next Fire Innovation Forum meeting, which will focus on Data. Make sure you are signed up to our fire and rescue distribution list below to receive an update when registration goes live.
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Justice and Emergency Services Programme activities
The techUK Justice and Emergency Services Programme represents tech firms operating in the public safety, criminal justice, and blue light markets. We create strong relationships between members and public sector customers, encouraging industry engagement, and unlocking innovation. Visit the programme page here.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Georgie joined techUK as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager in March 2020, progressing to Head of Programme in January 2022.
In her current role, Georgie leads techUK’s engagement and initiatives across the blue light and criminal justice sectors. She works closely with industry and stakeholders to drive innovation, address challenges, and anticipate future needs, while showcasing the critical role technology plays in delivering essential public safety and justice services. Through the JES programme, she provides a platform for suppliers, helping them navigate and establish themselves in the blue light and criminal justice markets.
Before joining techUK, Georgie spent four and a half years managing a Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) in Westminster. Collaborating with the Metropolitan Police and local councils, she focused on mitigating the impact of crime on the business community. Her efforts spanned addressing low-level street crime and anti-social behavior to managing critical incidents and violent crime.
Cinzia joined techUK in August 2023 as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager.
The JES programme represents suppliers, championing their interests in the blue light and criminal justice markets, whether they are established entities or newcomers seeking to establish their presence.
Prior to joining techUK, Cinzia worked in the third and public sectors, managing projects related to international trade and social inclusion.
Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.
Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022. Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.
In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.
