UK Government Procurement Guide for Suppliers

The UK government spends over £300 billion annually on goods and services — covering IT, construction, healthcare, professional services, facilities management and more. Much of it is accessible to SMEs. This guide explains exactly how to find, track, and win public sector contracts.

The UK procurement landscape

UK public sector procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023. All contracting authorities — central government departments, NHS Trusts, local councils, universities, and more — are required to publish tender notices above certain financial thresholds on official procurement portals.

The five UK procurement portals

Tender data is spread across five official portals. You need visibility of all five to see the full picture.

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Find a Tender Service

find-tender.service.gov.uk

The primary UK-wide portal for contracts above the procurement threshold (approximately £139,688). Replaced the old OJEU TED portal after Brexit. All major government contracts above threshold appear here.

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Contracts Finder

contractsfinder.service.gov.uk

The English portal for contracts of any value — including below-threshold contracts that do not appear on Find a Tender. Particularly useful for smaller contracts with councils and NHS bodies.

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Public Contracts Scotland

publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

The portal for all Scottish public sector procurement. Key for any IT supplier targeting Scottish public sector work.

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Sell2Wales

sell2wales.gov.wales

The Welsh government procurement portal. Often overlooked by English-based suppliers — representing a genuine opportunity.

Understanding CPV codes

CPV codes are 8-digit classification codes that categorise every procurement notice. Understanding them is essential for finding relevant contracts efficiently.

72000000

IT Services

48000000

Software

30000000

Hardware

64200000

Telecoms

73000000

Consultancy

72310000

Cloud / Hosting

Framework agreements

Framework agreements allow suppliers to be pre-approved for a category of services. Buyers then purchase from approved suppliers without running a full tender. The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) operates the most important IT frameworks including G-Cloud, Digital Outcomes and Specialists, and Cyber Security Services.

Using contract expiry data

One of the most powerful techniques is identifying expiring contracts before the re-tender is published. Award notices include start and end dates — PSIP's Contract Expiry Tracker surfaces contracts expiring in the next 12 months, giving you time to research the buyer and build a relationship before the tender goes live.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main UK government procurement portals?

There are five main UK government procurement portals: Find a Tender Service for UK-wide contracts above £139,688; Contracts Finder for England contracts of all values; Public Contracts Scotland; and Sell2Wales.

What is the difference between Find a Tender and Contracts Finder?

Find a Tender covers UK-wide contracts above the procurement threshold (approximately £139,688). Contracts Finder covers England contracts of any value, including below-threshold contracts that do not appear on Find a Tender.

What is a CPV code in procurement?

A CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) code is a standardised 8-digit classification code used across UK and EU procurement. Key IT codes include 72000000 (IT Services), 48000000 (Software), 30000000 (Hardware), and 72310000 (Cloud and hosting services).

How do framework agreements work in UK government procurement?

A framework agreement is a pre-qualification process where suppliers apply to be approved for a category of services. Once on a framework, buyers can purchase directly from approved suppliers without running a full tender. CCS operates many IT frameworks including G-Cloud and Digital Outcomes.

Can small businesses (SMEs) win UK government contracts?

Yes. The UK government has a target to award 33% of procurement spend to SMEs. Many contracts are below the OJEU threshold specifically to be accessible to smaller suppliers. Contracts Finder publishes all England contracts above £12,000 including VAT, many of which are suitable for SMEs.