UK procurement questions, answered.

How do I find UK public sector tenders?

UK public sector tenders are primarily found on Find a Tender (the official post-Brexit portal), Contracts Finder for lower-value opportunities, and individual public body websites for direct procurement notices.

Where are UK government contracts advertised?

UK government contracts are primarily advertised on Contracts Finder (contracts over £10,000) and Find a Tender (contracts over EU thresholds), with some departments also using their own procurement portals.

How do I find NHS tenders?

NHS tenders are published on Find a Tender (the UK's official procurement portal), Contracts Finder, and individual NHS trust websites. Most opportunities above £12,319 must be advertised on Find a Tender under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

How do I find local council tenders in the UK?

Local council tenders are primarily found on Contracts Finder (contractsfinder.service.gov.uk), Find a Tender (find-tender.service.gov.uk), and individual council websites, with most opportunities over £25,000 legally required to be published.

How do I find tenders in Scotland?

Find Scottish public sector tenders through Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) at gov.scot/publiccontractsscotland, Contracts Finder, and Find a Tender service, with PCS being Scotland's primary procurement portal.

How do I find tenders in Wales?

Find Welsh public sector tenders through Sell2Wales (the national portal), Find a Tender service for high-value contracts, and individual organisation websites like NHS Wales and Welsh councils.

How do I find tenders in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland tenders are published on eTendersNI, the region's official procurement portal, alongside UK-wide opportunities on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder.

What is a tender alert and how do I set one up?

A tender alert is an automated notification system that emails you when new public sector contracts matching your criteria are published. Set them up through government portals like Contracts Finder or Find a Tender.

How often are new UK tenders published?

New UK public-sector tenders are published continuously throughout the year, with thousands appearing weekly on Find a Tender (the official platform) and other procurement portals.

How do I search tenders by CPV code?

Search tenders by CPV code using the CPV filter on Find a Tender Service, Contracts Finder, or supplier platforms like BiP Solutions, entering the 8-digit code or browsing the hierarchical categories.

What is the best alternative to Find a Tender Service?

Contracts Finder is the primary alternative to Find a Tender Service for UK public procurement, hosting opportunities below EU thresholds, alongside specialist platforms like BiP Solutions and Crown Commercial Service frameworks.

What is the best alternative to Contracts Finder?

Find a Tender (FTS) is the primary alternative to Contracts Finder, serving as the UK's official OJEU replacement post-Brexit. For smaller opportunities, consider ProContract, Sell2Wales, or supplier databases like Achilles.

Contracts Finder vs Find a Tender Service — which should I use?

Use Find a Tender Service for procurements above UK thresholds (£214,904 for goods/services, £5,372,609 for works). Use Contracts Finder for below-threshold opportunities and voluntary transparency publishing.

MyTenders vs WinAContract — which is better?

WinAContract offers comprehensive procurement support including bid writing services, whilst MyTenders focuses primarily on tender alerts and basic guidance, making WinAContract better suited for organisations needing full procurement assistance.

Tenders Direct vs WinAContract — which is better?

WinAContract offers superior functionality with detailed tender breakdowns, advanced filtering, and compliance guidance, whilst Tenders Direct provides basic contract listings with less analytical depth.

What is the Procurement Act 2023?

The Procurement Act 2023 is the new UK legislation that will replace the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, introducing a single, unified procurement regime for all public sector bodies across the UK when it comes into force.

What are the current UK procurement thresholds?

Current UK procurement thresholds are £12,368 for central government goods/services, £138,760 for utilities, £213,477 for works contracts, and £663,540 for concessions, effective from 1 January 2024.

What is the difference between MEAT and MAT?

MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender) is the EU procurement term for best value evaluation, whilst MAT (Most Advantageous Tender) is the UK's post-Brexit equivalent under the Procurement Act 2023.

What is a framework agreement?

A framework agreement is a general agreement with suppliers that establishes terms for future contracts without creating immediate obligations to purchase, allowing public bodies to call off specific requirements efficiently.

What is a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS)?

A Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) is a flexible procurement framework allowing public bodies to add new suppliers throughout its duration, combining competitive tendering with the ability to expand the supplier pool as needed.

What is the standstill period in UK procurement?

The standstill period in UK procurement is a mandatory 10 calendar day waiting period after contract award notification, during which unsuccessful bidders can challenge the decision before the contract is signed.

What is a Selection Questionnaire?

A Selection Questionnaire (SQ) is a standardised document used in UK public procurement to assess suppliers' suitability before inviting them to tender, covering financial standing, technical capacity, and exclusion grounds.

What is the difference between open and restricted procedure?

Open procedure allows any supplier to submit a tender, whilst restricted procedure involves a two-stage process where suppliers first apply to participate and only pre-selected suppliers are invited to tender.

What is social value in UK public sector procurement?

Social value in UK public sector procurement refers to the additional economic, environmental and social benefits that organisations must consider when buying goods and services, as required by the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012.

What is PPN 06/20?

PPN 06/20 is the Cabinet Office procurement policy note titled 'Taking Account of Social Value in the Award of Central Government Contracts', issued in September 2020 to strengthen social value requirements.

Can small businesses bid for UK government contracts?

Yes, small businesses can bid for UK government contracts. The government actively encourages SME participation through procurement policies, with 33% of central government spend going to SMEs in 2022-23.

Do I need Cyber Essentials to bid for government tenders?

Cyber Essentials is mandatory for many UK government ICT contracts, particularly those involving personal data handling or IT services, though requirements vary by department and contract value.

What insurance do I need to bid for UK public sector contracts?

You typically need professional indemnity insurance (£250k-£6m), public liability insurance (£1m-£10m), and employer's liability insurance (£5m minimum) to bid for UK public sector contracts, with exact amounts specified in tender documents.

Do I need ISO 9001 for UK tenders?

ISO 9001 is not legally required for UK public sector tenders, but many contracting authorities specify it as a quality management requirement, particularly for complex services and construction projects.

What is DSPT and when do I need it?

DSPT (Data Security and Protection Toolkit) is an annual self-assessment NHS organisations and their suppliers must complete to demonstrate compliance with data protection and cyber security standards.

What is a Carbon Reduction Plan and who needs one?

A Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP) is a mandatory document showing how suppliers will reduce carbon emissions. Required for all suppliers bidding on central government contracts worth £5 million+ annually from September 2021.

How do I write a winning tender response?

A winning tender response directly addresses all evaluation criteria with specific evidence, follows the format precisely, and demonstrates clear value whilst staying within word limits and deadlines.

How do I write a good method statement?

A good method statement clearly outlines your step-by-step approach to delivering the contract requirements, demonstrating understanding, capability, and risk management whilst directly addressing all evaluation criteria.

How do I demonstrate social value in a bid?

Demonstrate social value by clearly mapping your proposed activities to the contracting authority's social value priorities, providing specific local commitments with measurable outcomes and KPIs.

How do I price a UK public sector tender?

Price UK public sector tenders by calculating true delivery costs, adding reasonable profit margins, and presenting pricing transparently using the buyer's specified format whilst ensuring compliance with procurement regulations.

How do I use case studies effectively in a bid?

Use case studies effectively by selecting highly relevant examples, structuring them with STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result), quantifying outcomes with specific metrics, and directly linking achievements to the buyer's requirements.

How long does it take to write a UK tender response?

A comprehensive UK tender response typically takes 4-8 weeks to write properly, depending on contract value, complexity, and internal resources available for the bid team.

What is a bid/no bid decision?

A bid/no bid decision is the strategic evaluation process where suppliers decide whether to submit a tender response based on their capacity, capability, and likelihood of success against specific procurement opportunities.

How do I get on the G-Cloud framework?

Join G-Cloud by applying during open application windows on the Digital Marketplace, meeting technical requirements, and completing Crown Commercial Service's assessment process for your chosen lot.

What is a Crown Commercial Service framework?

A Crown Commercial Service framework is a pre-negotiated commercial agreement that allows public sector organisations to purchase goods and services without running full procurement processes, saving time and costs.

How do I get on a CCS framework?

To join a CCS framework, you must respond to their open procurement notices when frameworks are being renewed or established, typically every 3-4 years, by submitting a compliant tender through the official procurement portal.

What is NHS Shared Business Services?

NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) is a joint venture between the Department of Health and Social Care and Sopra Steria, providing procurement, finance, and HR services to NHS organisations across England.

What is NHS Supply Chain?

NHS Supply Chain is the procurement and supply chain organisation for the NHS in England, providing sourcing, logistics and supply chain services to NHS trusts and foundation trusts through national frameworks and contracts.

Framework agreements vs open tenders — which should I prioritise?

Prioritise framework agreements for routine purchases under OJEU thresholds and repeat requirements, but use open tenders for high-value, complex, or innovative procurements where maximum competition is essential.

How do I sell to the NHS?

To sell to the NHS, register on NHS Supply Chain, obtain relevant frameworks like Crown Commercial Service agreements, ensure compliance with NHS standards, and engage directly with individual NHS trusts for local procurement opportunities.

What is an Integrated Care Board (ICB)?

An Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a statutory NHS organisation established in 2022 that plans and commissions healthcare services for a defined population, replacing Clinical Commissioning Groups under the Health and Care Act 2022.

How does NHS procurement differ from other public sector procurement?

NHS procurement operates under the same core regulations as other public bodies but with additional clinical governance requirements, specialised frameworks like NHSCFA, and unique patient safety considerations that don't apply elsewhere.

What is the NHS Net Zero target?

The NHS has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040 for direct emissions and 2045 for its wider carbon footprint, as set out in the NHS Net Zero Plan published in October 2020.

How long does a UK tender process take?

UK tender processes typically take 6-12 weeks for standard procurements, with complex high-value contracts taking 4-6 months or longer due to mandatory timescales and evaluation requirements.

What happens after I submit a tender?

After submitting your tender, it undergoes evaluation against pre-published criteria, followed by a standstill period if you're unsuccessful, then contract award and debriefing opportunities.

What is a tender debrief?

A tender debrief is a formal feedback session where contracting authorities explain to unsuccessful bidders why their tender was not successful, covering evaluation scores, weaknesses, and the winning bid's advantages.

Can I challenge a UK tender award decision?

Yes, you can challenge a UK tender award decision through the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, but you must act within strict time limits—typically 30 days from when you knew or should have known of the grounds for challenge.

What is a clarification question in a tender?

A clarification question is a formal query that either bidders submit to seek additional information about tender requirements, or that contracting authorities ask bidders to explain unclear aspects of their submissions.

What is the UK government SME spend target?

The UK government's SME spend target is 33% of total procurement spend by 2022, including direct contracts and subcontracting through the supply chain.

Are there contracts reserved for SMEs in the UK?

No, the UK does not have contracts specifically reserved for SMEs, but the Procurement Act 2023 introduces new measures to improve SME participation including simplified procedures and prompt payment requirements.

What support is there for small businesses bidding for UK tenders?

UK public sector provides extensive SME support including simplified processes, early payment terms, capacity building programmes, and dedicated SME procurement targets with government spending £1 in every £3 with SMEs by 2022.