Procurement guides and insights
Practical advice on winning UK public sector contracts, from finding opportunities to writing winning bids.
IR35 and Public Sector Contracts: What UK Contractors Need to Know
IR35 has applied to all public sector engagements since April 2017. Understanding how it affects your commercial structure, how to identify the right types of public sector contracts, and how to respond to DSP and G-Cloud framework tenders is essential for IT contractors and consultants working in government.
12 August 2026 · 1 min readSocial Value in Public Sector Tenders: What UK Suppliers Need to Know
Social value has moved from a nice-to-have to a scored requirement across most UK public sector procurement. Understanding the five PPN 06/20 themes and how to translate your genuine local advantages into specific, measurable commitments is how SMEs win on social value against larger competitors.
12 August 2026 · 1 min readMinimum Turnover Requirements in Public Sector Tenders: What SMEs Need to Know
Minimum turnover requirements are one of the most common barriers SMEs face in public sector bidding. Understanding when they are legally justified under the Procurement Act 2023, and how to respond when you are close to the threshold, can open up contracts that competitors dismiss as out of reach.
12 August 2026 · 1 min readTUPE in Public Sector Contracts: A Practical Guide for Suppliers
TUPE applies to a wide range of public sector contracts. Getting the cost model wrong at bid stage is one of the most damaging mistakes a supplier can make. Knowing what information buyers must disclose and how to ask the right clarification questions gives you a significant advantage.
12 August 2026 · 1 min readDynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS) in UK Procurement: A Supplier Guide
Dynamic purchasing systems are an increasingly common procurement route in UK public sector, particularly for social care, cleaning, and IT. This guide explains how DPS works, how it differs from traditional frameworks, and how to find and join relevant schemes.
12 August 2026 · 1 min readHow to Win a Public Sector Contract: A Practical Guide for UK SMEs
Winning public sector contracts is a learnable discipline. This guide covers bid selection, writing to evaluation criteria, social value, evidence libraries, and getting maximum value from a debrief.
12 August 2026 · 1 min readHow to Get on a Crown Commercial Service Framework (Step-by-Step Guide)
A Crown Commercial Service framework agreement gives you access to thousands of UK public sector buyers without competing for each contract individually. This guide explains how to find relevant frameworks, what the application involves, and how to maximise call-off volumes once you are listed.
12 August 2026 · 1 min readHow to Set Up Contracts Finder Alerts (And Why You Might Need More)
Contracts Finder alerts are free and easy to set up, but they only cover part of the UK procurement market. This guide walks you through the setup process and explains how to fill the gaps.
12 August 2026 · 1 min readBest Tender Alert Services for UK SMEs (2025 Comparison)
Comparing the best tender alert services for UK SMEs in 2025. We cover free government portals, TenderSignal, Tracker Intelligence, Proactis, and BiP Solutions -- with an honest assessment of who each suits.
11 August 2026 · 1 min readUK Procurement Thresholds 2025: The Complete Guide for Suppliers
The Procurement Act 2023 set new procurement thresholds effective 24 February 2025. Here is a complete reference guide to the current figures and what they mean for suppliers.
11 August 2026 · 1 min readThe Procurement Act 2023: What UK Suppliers Need to Know
The Procurement Act 2023 replaced the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and came into force on 24 February 2025. Here is what the changes mean in practice for UK suppliers.
11 August 2026 · 1 min readHow to Find Public Sector Tenders for Your Business (UK Guide)
Finding UK public sector tenders means monitoring multiple portals, devolved registers, and buyer-specific systems. This step-by-step guide covers every source.
11 August 2026 · 1 min read
How NHS Procurement Works: A Supplier's Guide to £30bn of Annual Contracts
NHS England spends £30bn-plus a year on goods and services. Here is how its procurement actually works, who buys what, and how to position your business to win NHS contracts.
9 June 2026 · 1 min read
Procurement Act 2023: One Year In, What Actually Changed for Suppliers
It has been a year since the Procurement Act 2023 went live. Here is what changed in practice, what did not, and the moves UK suppliers should make now.
9 June 2026 · 1 min read
How to Find UK Council Contracts: A Supplier's Guide to Local Authority Tendering
UK councils spend £80bn-plus a year buying from suppliers. Here is where they publish their contracts, how to find them, and which councils have the most opportunities for SMEs.
9 June 2026 · 1 min read
What is a Mini-Competition? Framework Agreement Bidding Explained
A mini-competition is a second tender within a framework agreement. Here is how mini-competitions work, why they exist, and how to win them.
9 June 2026 · 1 min read
How Much Do Bid Writers Charge in the UK? (2026 Pricing Guide)
A professional bid writer costs £500 to £15,000 or more per bid in the UK. Here is how to decide if you actually need one, what to ask before hiring, and what to do instead.
9 June 2026 · 1 min read
Best Tender Alert Services UK (2026)
We compare the top UK tender alert services in 2026 — free and paid — so you can pick the right one for your business.
5 May 2026 · 1 min read
Procurement Act 2023: Supplier Guide
The Procurement Act 2023 took effect 24 Feb 2025. Learn what changed for suppliers and what you need to do now.
5 May 2026 · 1 min read
5 Mistakes Bidding for Government Contracts
Avoid these frequent pitfalls that cost SMEs time and money when tendering for public sector work.
19 April 2026 · 1 min read
Contracts Finder vs Find a Tender
Both are UK government procurement portals, but they serve different purposes. Here's when to use each one.
19 April 2026 · 1 min read
What Is a CPV Code? Supplier Guide
CPV codes are the classification system used across UK and EU public procurement. Here's what you need to know.
19 April 2026 · 1 min read
How to Find Public Sector Contracts in the UK
A practical guide to finding UK government contracts, from Contracts Finder to Find a Tender and beyond.
19 April 2026 · 1 min readPublic Procurement in Singapore Found 'Prone to Lapses'
Singapore's Public Accounts Committee has criticised widespread procurement irregularities across government ministries, warning that public sector bodies are not sufficiently diligent in following procurement rules.
15 April 2014 · 1 min read