Alongside our re-appointment to the Central Government Legal Panel (RM6360) for another 4 year term, the team has advised on shaping the future of AI contracts in the public sector, modernising Armed Forces recruitment, procuring many of the biggest outsourcing contracts in the UK and the most complex regeneration projects conducted by Local Authorities. Our Procurement Centre of Excellence has advised on in excess of £15 billion of works, services and supplies procured in the UK.
The scale of the Procurement Centre of Excellence’s (“PCE”) procurement activities in 2025 can be demonstrated by our advising on:
- Model Services Contract Updates: Working closely with the Cabinet Office and Government Legal Department, we contributed to the revision of the Model Services Contract suite to reflect the Procurement Act 2023. Following this update to a key government template, we have supported a number of central and local government bodies (and private utilities) to update their contract terms to reflect the Procurement Act 2023.
- Crown Commercial Services Procurements: Our team has advised on multiple CCS projects during 2025, including Technology Services 4 (“TS4”) and G-Cloud 15. Both frameworks offer the public sector significant value when buying technology services.
- Serco Armed Forces Recruitment Programme: A cross-sector team, led by our Procurement Centre of Excellence, supported Serco in finalising the landmark £1.5 billion Armed Forces Recruiting Service contract with the Ministry of Defence (“MoD”). The project will unify recruitment for the Royal Navy, British Army, and RAF under a single streamlined system. This initiative marks a change in military recruitment and demonstrates DWF’s capability in managing high-value, complex procurements.
- Department for Work and Pensions (“DWP”) Contact Centre Programme: Advising on its £265 million Contact Centre Modernisation Programme, we supported DWP on a procurement that will transform citizen services through cutting-edge digital platforms.
- The Royal Borough of Greenwich: Advising on all of their Housing and Regeneration projects which has involved the delivery of a new leisure centre, refurbishment of multiple public sector buildings, delivering of the Future High Street Fund and the setting up of a Dynamic Market to ensure consultants can be selected efficiently whilst dispensing with framework agreement fees.
- Contentious Procurement: Successfully defending and prosecuting multiple claims in the Technology and Construction Court, safeguarding client interests in high-value and complex disputes.
Large-scale regeneration and infrastructure
The PCE continues to play a pivotal role in some of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects. These have included Gateshead Borough Council (Baltic Quarter), West Northamptonshire Council (Greyfriars, St James Depot), Sheffield City Council (Arena, City Hall and leisure portfolio projects), Liverpool City Council (Festival Gardens, read more), Guildford Council (Weyside Urban Village), Wakefield Council (multiple strategic regeneration projects), Westmorland and Furness (Marina Village), Bradford Council (City Village and City of Culture 2025) and multiple Homes England-led regeneration projects.
Successful framework appointments in 2025
We are proud to have been re-appointed to a number of government Frameworks, including our reappointment to the CCS Legal Panel in October 2025 (press release). Additionally, we have secured positions on the DWP and Metropolitan Police panels, ensuring continued access to advise on major government projects and further grow our portfolio of annuity public sector clients.
Webinar programme
The Public Sector team has continued to provide extensive training to the sector on a range of key topics, with over 50 free webinars delivered in 2025 to over 4,500 attendees. The DWF Public Sector Webinar series for 2026 will be announced in early December.
Looking ahead to 2026
"2025 has been a defining year for public sector procurement. At DWF, we are proud to have partnered with government and strategic suppliers to Government to deliver projects that not only meet legal and commercial objectives, but also drive social value and innovation. Our work on initiatives such as the Armed Forces Recruitment Service and DWP’s Contact Centre Programme reflects our commitment to shaping a modern, efficient, and inclusive public sector. As the public sector continues to familiarise itself with the Procurement Act 2023, we look forward to continuing to support a wide range of projects across the public sector.”
Colin Murray, Partner
With a combined project value exceeding £15 billion, DWF’s 2025 procurement achievements reinforce our position as a market leader in delivering complex, high-value procurements.
As we look ahead to 2026, we remain focused on supporting clients through the evolving procurement landscape and using our expertise to deliver outcomes that matter.
Please get in touch with the team below if you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this article. Or you can also contact our Press Office with enquiries.
