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A formal notice published when a contracting authority awards a public contract, providing transparency about the procurement outcome and contract details.
A Contract Award Notice (CAN) is a mandatory publication that contracting authorities must issue following the award of a public contract above certain threshold values. The notice serves as formal confirmation that a procurement process has concluded and identifies the successful bidder.
Under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, contracting authorities must publish a CAN within 30 days of contract award for procurements above EU thresholds (£189,330 for central government, £663,540 for other public bodies as of 2023). The notice must be published on Find a Tender (the UK's official procurement portal) and may also appear in the Official Journal of the European Union for certain high-value contracts.
The CAN must contain specific details including: - Contract title and description - Name and contact details of the contracting authority - Successful tenderer's name and address - Contract value or price range - Award criteria used - Number of tenders received - Procurement procedure followed - Contract start date and duration
Contract Award Notices provide essential transparency in public spending, allowing unsuccessful bidders to understand procurement outcomes and enabling market oversight. They also trigger the standstill period during which unsuccessful bidders can challenge the award decision before contract signature. This transparency mechanism helps maintain public trust and supports a competitive marketplace by providing market intelligence for future opportunities.