How to Apply for Public Tenders

1. Register on the right portals

Before you can bid for public contracts, you need to be registered on the relevant procurement portals:

• Find a Tender (FTS) - The official UK government procurement portal for high-value contracts
• Contracts Finder - For lower-value contracts and local authority procurement
• Contracts Finder (Scotland) - Public Contracts Scotland for Scottish opportunities
• Sell2Wales - For Welsh public sector contracts
• eTenders NI - For Northern Ireland opportunities

Registration is free and typically takes 15-30 minutes. You'll need your company details, UTR number, and bank account information.

2. Understand the tender process

Public procurement follows a structured process:

1. Pre-market engagement - Buyers may publish prior information notices (PINs) to gauge supplier interest
2. Tender publication - The official invitation to tender is published
3. Clarification period - Suppliers can ask questions about the tender
4. Submission deadline - Bids must be submitted by the stated deadline
5. Evaluation - Buyers assess bids against published criteria
6. Award decision - The contract is awarded to the successful bidder

3. Find relevant opportunities

Use TenderStead to find tenders that match your business:

• Search by sector using CPV codes (see our CPV guide)
• Filter by region to find local opportunities
• Set value ranges to match your capacity
• Sign up for daily email alerts to never miss a deadline

4. Prepare your bid

A strong bid typically includes:

• Executive summary - Clear overview of your solution and why you're the best choice
• Methodology - How you'll deliver the contract requirements
• Experience and case studies - Evidence of similar work you've completed
• Pricing - Competitive and transparent pricing structure
• Policies and certifications - Health & safety, quality standards, insurance

5. Submit on time

Deadlines are strict in public procurement. Late submissions are automatically rejected. Tips:

• Start your bid early - don't leave it to the last minute
• Use the clarification period to ask questions
• Submit at least 24 hours before the deadline
• Double-check all required documents are included

6. Learn from feedback

Whether you win or lose, request feedback from the buyer. This helps you:

• Understand what worked well in your bid
• Identify areas for improvement
• Build relationships with buyers for future opportunities