The UK's official portal for high-value public procurement notices, launched post-Brexit in January 2021. Publishes above-threshold contracts.
Visit Find a Tender ServiceWhat is Find a Tender Service?
Find a Tender Service (FTS) is the UK's official portal for high-value public procurement notices. Launched on 1 January 2021, it replaced TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as the publication channel for UK above-threshold contracts following Brexit.
Run by the Cabinet Office, FTS is where UK contracting authorities must publish procurement notices that exceed regulatory thresholds. If you're chasing substantial UK government contracts, this is the primary source.
Who runs it?
The Cabinet Office operates Find a Tender as part of the UK's post-Brexit procurement infrastructure. The service is free to use for both buyers and suppliers.
FTS works alongside Contracts Finder, which handles lower-value opportunities. Together, they form the core of UK central government procurement publication. Devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland operate additional regional portals.
What contracts are published?
FTS publishes notices for contracts exceeding these thresholds (as of 2024):
| Contract Type | Central Government | Other Authorities |
|---|---|---|
| Goods & Services | £139,688 | £214,904 |
| Works | £5,372,609 | £5,372,609 |
| Light Touch Regime (social services) | £663,540 | £663,540 |
Notice types include:
- Prior Information Notices (PINs)
- Contract Notices
- Contract Award Notices
- Dynamic Purchasing System notices
- Concession notices
FTS vs Contracts Finder
This confuses many suppliers. Here's the distinction:
- Find a Tender: Above-threshold contracts (higher value, more regulated)
- Contracts Finder: Below-threshold contracts plus all above-threshold for transparency
In practice, above-threshold opportunities often appear on both. We monitor both to ensure complete coverage.
Strengths
- Official source: The authoritative channel for UK above-threshold procurement
- Clean interface: More modern and usable than many government portals
- Free registration: No cost to search or set up alerts
- API available: Supports automated data access
- Award notices: Good visibility into who's winning contracts
Limitations
- Above-threshold only: Misses lower-value opportunities (use Contracts Finder)
- England-centric: Devolved nations have additional portals
- No bid submission: Publication only; bidding happens elsewhere
- Search alerts basic: Native email alerts lack sophisticated filtering
Post-Brexit context
Before Brexit, UK above-threshold contracts were published on TED alongside other EU member states. Since 1 January 2021, FTS has been the UK publication channel. UK contracts no longer appear on TED.
For suppliers targeting both UK and EU markets, this means monitoring both FTS and TED separately. We handle this automatically.
Our coverage
We monitor Find a Tender daily alongside Contracts Finder and the devolved portals. Whether you're targeting central government frameworks or local authority contracts, our UK coverage is comprehensive.
Start your free trial to receive UK tender alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Find a Tender launch?
Find a Tender Service launched on 1 January 2021, coinciding with the end of the Brexit transition period. It replaced TED as the UK's above-threshold publication channel.
Is Find a Tender free?
Yes, completely free to search and use. You can also register for email alerts at no cost.
Do Scottish contracts appear on Find a Tender?
Above-threshold Scottish contracts should appear on FTS, but Public Contracts Scotland is the primary portal for Scottish opportunities. We monitor both.
Can I submit bids through Find a Tender?
No. FTS is a publication portal only. Each notice links to the relevant e-procurement system where you submit your bid.
Get Find a Tender Service Tender Alerts
Never miss a tender from Find a Tender Service. Open Opportunities monitors this source daily and delivers relevant opportunities directly to your inbox.
Start Free Trial