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Manned guarding, CCTV, access control, fire safety, alarm systems, and security equipment tenders from the public sector.

Security services tenders in the UK public sector

Public sector organisations spend significantly on security services to protect people, property, and assets. Manned guarding, CCTV monitoring, access control, fire safety, and alarm systems are regularly tendered by councils, NHS trusts, government departments, and public agencies. These contracts range from small single-site guarding to large multi-site security frameworks.

Types of security tenders

• Manned guarding - static and mobile security officers for public buildings, courts, hospitals, and government offices.
• CCTV and surveillance - installation, monitoring, and maintenance of CCTV systems across public spaces and buildings.
• Access control - door entry systems, ID badge management, and visitor management for secure sites.
• Fire safety - fire alarm installation and maintenance, fire risk assessments, and fire safety training.
• Intruder alarms - alarm system installation, monitoring, and emergency response services.
• Key holding and response - out-of-hours key holding and alarm response services for public sector premises.

Key buyers

The Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Justice are among the largest buyers of security services. NHS trusts commission security for hospitals and clinics. Local authorities buy CCTV monitoring, town centre security, and building security. Courts, prisons, and immigration centres require specialist security providers with appropriate clearances.

Security frameworks

The Crown Commercial Service Security Services framework is the main national route for security procurement. Many local authorities and NHS trusts also run their own security frameworks or include security within wider facilities management contracts.

Finding security tenders

Security contracts are published across Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, and individual buyer portals. Fire safety tenders are sometimes categorised under facilities management rather than security. TenderSignal's matching catches all security-related opportunities regardless of categorisation.

Without TenderSignal

• Security contracts are published across hundreds of individual public sector portals
• Multi-site contracts make it hard to assess whether you can deliver regionally
• Fire safety and alarm system tenders are often bundled into wider FM contracts
• Security clearance requirements vary between buyers and are not always clear upfront

With TenderSignal

• All UK security services tenders from councils, NHS, MOD, and government
• Filter by service type - guarding, CCTV, fire safety, access control
• Get early warning on security framework renewals
• Track opportunities across your operational regions
• Pipeline Intelligence predicts when security contracts will re-tender

Frameworks and buying routes for Security Services contracts

• Crown Commercial Service Facilities Management Marketplace (RM6089)
• NHS Shared Business Services Estates & Facilities
• ESPO and YPO facilities frameworks

CPV codes for Security Services tenders

• 90910000 — Cleaning services
• 90919200 — Office cleaning services
• 79993000 — Facilities management services

Qualifications buyers ask for

• SSIP (CHAS / SafeContractor)
• BICSc (cleaning)
• SIA licensing (security)
• Real Living Wage employer

Security Services tenders: frequently asked questions

What is a security services tender?

A security services tender is a formal invitation from a UK public sector buyer, such as a council, NHS trust, housing association or government department, to bid for a security services contract. Buyers publish security services tenders when the work goes out to competitive procurement, usually with a specification, deadline and evaluation criteria.

Where are security services tenders published in the UK?

Public sector security services tenders are published across Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and eTendersNI, plus dozens of individual council and buyer portals. TenderSignal aggregates all of these into one feed so you never have to check them separately.

What contract value triggers a published security services tender?

Buyers must advertise most contracts above £12,000 on Contracts Finder, and higher-value contracts (around £139,688 and above) on Find a Tender. Many lower-value security services contracts are also published voluntarily or through framework mini-competitions.

Which frameworks cover security services contracts?

Commonly used routes to security services work include Crown Commercial Service Facilities Management Marketplace (RM6089), NHS Shared Business Services Estates & Facilities, ESPO and YPO facilities frameworks. Getting onto the right framework or dynamic purchasing system (DPS) early gives you access to call-off contracts without bidding from scratch each time.

How do I find security services contracts before they are tendered?

Watch for prior information notices (PINs) and track contracts approaching their renewal date. TenderSignal's pipeline intelligence flags security services contracts coming up for re-tender months in advance, so you can engage the buyer during the early-engagement phase before the formal process opens.

What qualifications do I need to win security services tenders?

Most buyers use the standard Selection Questionnaire (SQ) under PPN 03/23 to check financial standing, insurance and relevant experience. For security services work, buyers frequently ask for SSIP (CHAS / SafeContractor), BICSc (cleaning), SIA licensing (security), Real Living Wage employer.

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