Prior Information Notice

A voluntary notice published by contracting authorities to inform the market about planned procurement opportunities, helping suppliers prepare for upcoming tenders.

How it works

A Prior Information Notice (PIN) is an advance notice that contracting authorities can publish to alert potential suppliers about procurement opportunities they plan to launch within the next 12 months. The notice provides early market intelligence about the authority's procurement intentions, including the nature of goods, services or works required, estimated values, and indicative timescales.

PINs must be published on Find a Tender (formerly OJEU) and can also be published on Contracts Finder. The notice should include sufficient detail to allow suppliers to assess whether the opportunity aligns with their capabilities and business interests.

Why it matters

PINs serve multiple strategic purposes in public procurement. For suppliers, they provide valuable advance warning that enables better resource planning, partnership development, and bid preparation. This early intelligence is particularly beneficial for SMEs and new market entrants who may need additional time to prepare competitive responses.

For contracting authorities, PINs can improve market engagement and competition levels. They help authorities gauge market interest, receive early feedback on their approach, and potentially identify innovative solutions before formal procurement begins.

Under certain circumstances, a PIN can also be used to reduce statutory procurement timescales. When a PIN is published between 35 days and 12 months before the contract notice, authorities may apply accelerated procedures that shorten minimum tender periods.

Legal framework

While PINs are generally voluntary under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, they become mandatory for certain framework agreements and dynamic purchasing systems. The notice must comply with standard procurement notice requirements and transparency principles.