Commissioning and Procurement

Public bodies' tenders are advertised on a number of different websites and also in some trade journals and local newspapers. Many will advertise them on a section of their own website as well.

The websites listed below provide a useful idea of what the public sector is buying both locally and farther afield, and how they advertise tenders. However, be aware that turnaround time can be tight and that your competition may have been aware of the timescales and the commissioner's requirements a long time in advance.

Building relationships with possible customers of your services and making them aware of your work will put you in the best position to be aware of future upcoming opportunities, timescales and potential input into the whole commissioning process.

General

• sell2wales
  Despite the name this website provides details of tender opportunities across the UK including lower value ones. Searches can be made without the need to register.
• supply2.gov.uk
  Government run website giving access to lower value contract opportunities from public sector bodies. This includes contracts under the EU procurement threshold. Access is free for local searches with an upgrade fee applicable for searching nationally. The site requires registration.
• Tenders Electronic Daily
  European wide tenders above the EU procurement threshold.

Local

• Local Government Websites
  Your local council's website should list their current tenders on their website. This may be under a 'business' heading or 'your council' heading or found by searching the website. Local government websites can be found here.

Subject Specific

• NHS supply2health
  An online resource that advertises opportunities to provide Part B clinical services to the NHS and details of awarded contracts
• Bluelight Emergency Services eTendering Site
  Tenders across the country from the emergency services. Requires registration.
• Children's Workforce Development Council
  Current tenders.
• Department of Work and Pensions
  Information on supplying DWP.
• Housing
  The news and events section of the Supporting People website publishes housing related support tender opportunities.
• Learning and Skills Council
  Information on the LSC's tendering processes including how to register for Qualified Provider Framework status. This pre-qualification stage is required to be eligible to receive invitations to tender.
• National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
  NOMS provide a National Provider Network where organisations can register to express an interest in delivering intervention based, offender management related services.