UK-wide

Win public sector contracts

How to find and bid for government and public sector contracts as an SME.

Guide summary

Find and bid for government contracts on official portals like Contracts Finder and Find a Tender. Prepare bids with social value evidence and ensure you can meet 30-day payment terms. Contact the Public Procurement Review Service if you face problems.

  • Register on Contracts Finder for contracts under £12,000 (central) or £30,000 (other)
  • Use Find a Tender for contracts above £135,018 (central) or £207,720 (local)
  • Check thresholds before bidding – full rules apply above them
  • Prepare bids with at least 10% social value for central contracts from Oct 2025
  • Set up alerts for relevant sectors on the right portal for your nation
  • Invoice within 30 days – government aims to pay 90% of SME bills in 5 days
  • Contact the Public Procurement Review Service for late payment or unfair process
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Public sector procurement is worth around £300 billion per year in the UK. The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, makes it easier for SMEs to compete for government contracts.

This guide covers how to find opportunities, prepare competitive bids, and use the procurement protections available to small businesses.

Understanding procurement thresholds

Different rules apply depending on the contract value. Above-threshold contracts must be advertised on Find a Tender and follow full Procurement Act procedures.

Finding contract opportunities

All public sector contract opportunities are published on official portals. You should monitor these regularly and set up alerts for relevant sectors.

Preparing a competitive bid

Public sector tenders are evaluated against published criteria. Understanding how bids are scored helps you prepare a competitive response.

Social value in tenders

Central government contracts must include social value in their evaluation. This can be an advantage for SMEs who can demonstrate local employment, training opportunities, or environmental benefits.

Getting paid on time

Late payment is a major concern for SMEs working with the public sector. The Procurement Act 2023 includes strong protections for prompt payment.

Your rights as an SME

The Procurement Act includes specific provisions to reduce barriers for small businesses.

Official procurement services