Key fact: Public sector cleaning is one of the most reliably tendered categories in UK procurement. Councils, NHS trusts, schools, universities and government departments all run cleaning tenders on regular 1-3 year cycles. Contracts are published across seven procurement portals — Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales, eTendersNI, ProContract and YORtender. PSIP aggregates all seven so you never miss a relevant contract.
Where cleaning tenders are published
Find a Tender
Above-threshold cleaning contracts UK-wide. Required for contracts above approximately £139,688. NHS trust cleaning, large council estates, and central government office cleaning appear here.
Contracts Finder
English cleaning contracts above £12,000 (central government) or £25,000 (local authorities). Many school and small council cleaning contracts appear here but not on Find a Tender.
Public Contracts Scotland
All Scottish public sector cleaning contracts — NHS Scotland, local councils, and public bodies. Essential if you are targeting Scottish cleaning work.
Sell2Wales
Welsh public sector cleaning contracts. Often overlooked by English cleaning companies, representing genuine opportunity with lower competition.
eTendersNI
Northern Ireland public sector cleaning contracts from NI departments, councils and health trusts.
ProContract & YORtender
Regional portals used by many councils and public bodies, particularly in Yorkshire and the North of England.
CPV codes for cleaning contracts
CPV codes classify every public sector contract. Using the right codes in your PSIP alerts ensures you capture all relevant cleaning opportunities:
Key public sector cleaning buyers
NHS Trusts
Hospital and healthcare cleaning is one of the largest single categories. NHS trusts procure cleaning directly and through NHS frameworks.
Local Authorities
Council offices, libraries, leisure centres, and depots. Many councils use collaborative frameworks; others run their own tenders.
Schools and Academies
Schools cleaning through county council frameworks; academy trusts through DfE frameworks or their own procurement.
Ministry of Defence
Defence estate cleaning across UK military bases, offices and training facilities. Often procured through national frameworks.
Central Government Departments
HMRC, DWP, Home Office and other departments cleaning government offices — often through CCS RM6378.
Universities and Colleges
HE purchasing consortia (NEUPC, LUPC, SUPC) manage cleaning frameworks for multiple institutions.
Key cleaning frameworks
CCS RM6378 — Soft FM (Lot 3)
Crown Commercial ServiceThe primary route into central government cleaning. Lot 3 covers soft FM services including cleaning, catering and grounds for central government and wider public sector buyers.
NHS SBS Soft FM Frameworks
NHS Shared Business ServicesCleaning frameworks specifically for NHS trusts and healthcare settings across England. Covers general cleaning, specialist clinical cleaning and washroom services.
YPO Cleaning Frameworks
YPOCleaning and janitorial services frameworks widely used by local authorities, schools and other public bodies, particularly in the North of England.
Scotland Excel Cleaning Frameworks
Scotland ExcelCollaborative cleaning frameworks for Scottish councils and public bodies. Covers office cleaning, grounds and janitorial services.
ESPO Cleaning Frameworks
ESPOEastern Shires Purchasing Organisation cleaning frameworks for councils, schools and public bodies across the East and East Midlands.
How to use contract expiry data to win cleaning work early
Most cleaning companies only become aware of an opportunity when the tender is published. The most competitive cleaning suppliers engage buyers 6-12 months earlier by tracking expiring contracts. Here is how:
Find expiring cleaning contracts in your area
PSIP's Contract Expiry Tracker shows cleaning contracts due for renewal in the next 30, 90, 180 and 365 days across all public sector buyers. Filter by CPV code 90910000 and your target geography.
Research the incumbent supplier
For each expiring contract, check who currently holds it, what they are paid, and how long they have been the incumbent. This tells you whether the buyer is likely to re-tender or extend.
Contact the buyer before the re-tender
Many public sector buyers welcome supplier engagement before a procurement begins. Request a pre-market engagement meeting to introduce your company and understand their requirements.
Set alerts for the re-tender
When the tender is eventually published, PSIP alerts you within hours across all seven UK portals — so you are never late to respond.
Frequently asked questions
Where are cleaning tenders published in the UK?
UK public sector cleaning contracts are published across seven procurement portals: Find a Tender (above £139,688), Contracts Finder (England above £12,000), Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales, eTendersNI, ProContract and YORtender. PSIP aggregates all seven so you see every relevant opportunity without checking each portal separately.
What CPV codes should cleaning companies use?
Key CPV codes for cleaning contracts include 90910000 (Cleaning services), 90911000 (Accommodation, building and window cleaning services), 90911200 (Building-cleaning services), 90911300 (Window-cleaning services), 90919200 (Office cleaning services), and 90921000 (Disinfecting and exterminating services). Use multiple codes to capture all relevant opportunities.
What value are government cleaning contracts?
Government cleaning contracts range from small school or office cleaning contracts worth £15,000-£50,000 annually to large NHS estate contracts worth several million pounds. Local authority maintained schools typically procure through council frameworks. NHS trusts procure directly or through NHS frameworks.
Do I need specific accreditations for public sector cleaning contracts?
Common requirements include ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), CHAS or SafeContractor (health and safety), Cyber Essentials (for contracts with digital elements), and DBS checks for staff working in schools or healthcare settings. Requirements vary by contract — always check individual tender documents.
What cleaning frameworks cover the public sector?
Key cleaning frameworks include the Crown Commercial Service Facilities Management and Security Services framework (RM6378, Lot 3 Soft FM), NHS Shared Business Services soft FM frameworks, YPO Cleaning frameworks, Scotland Excel cleaning frameworks, and various regional council frameworks. Getting on a framework gives access to multiple buyers without individual tender competitions.
How long do government cleaning contracts last?
Most public sector cleaning contracts run for 1-3 years with optional extension periods, often up to 5 years in total. Using PSIP's Contract Expiry Tracker, you can identify cleaning contracts due for renewal in the next 6-12 months and approach buyers before the re-tender is published.
Find cleaning tenders across all seven UK portals
Set up CPV code alerts for cleaning contracts. Get every matching tender delivered every morning from Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, PCS Scotland, Sell2Wales and more. 7-day free trial, no credit card required.
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