The OGC has published the long awaited detailed guidance on the operation of the new transparency obligations relating to contract publication announced by the government in May. The obligations come into force for the majority of contracts with central government and NHS organisations from 1 January 2011.
The guidance clarifies what needs to be published and what exemptions and redactions will be permitted. It also advises Departments to publicise the transparency obligations and include reference to them in contracts so that suppliers are fully aware that their contracts will be published. The new guidance supersedes previous OGC guidance relating to the publication of IT contracts.
The guidance refers to a new portal named 'Contracts Finder' which is to be operational by the end of the year. An interim portal is available in the meantime.
More information on the current position on the new transparency obligations is available on the OGC transparency page.
Meanwhile for local government the Local Government group has updated its guidance on the new transparency obligations as they apply to local authorities.