Guide
How to find council tenders
Council tenders are published on the government's official notice service, on regional procurement portals and on each council's own procurement page. Search by the words buyers use for your service, register on the portals your target councils use, set up alerts, and check each notice's deadline and requirements before spending time on it.
Last updated 22 October 2026
Where are council tenders published?
- The official government notice service, where larger opportunities and award notices appear.
- Regional and shared procurement portals, which many councils use to run their tenders.
- Each council's own procurement or business page, which often lists smaller quotations.
- Frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems, where buyers call off from a pre-approved list of suppliers.
How do you search well?
Buyers rarely use your marketing words. A web designer may need to search for digital services or website development, and a cleaner for janitorial services or facilities support. Make a list of the different names for what you sell and search each of them.
Filter by location and by contract value, and read the description rather than the title alone.
What about smaller contracts?
Smaller opportunities often sit on a council's own site or quotation system. The Procurement Act 2023 has also changed how notices are published, and some below-threshold opportunities now appear on the main notice service. Read more in our Procurement Act guide for small businesses.
Why are councils worth targeting?
Local government is the biggest buyer from small and mid-sized firms. It accounted for £29.1bn, or 34%, of public spend with small and mid-sized suppliers in 2025, according to the SME procurement tracker 2026. That makes it a sensible first target for a growing supplier.
How do you stay on top of new opportunities?
- Set up alerts on the portals your target councils use.
- Note contract end dates in award notices, so you know when a re-tender is likely. See contracts about to expire.
- Get to know the council's procurement team and attend supplier events.
- Review each opportunity for fit before you invest time. A bid or no bid checklist helps.
How Opptix helps
Opptix watches public tenders, early notices and contracts about to end, then screens each against your profile. You get a short list of council opportunities that fit, with the reasons, delivered to Microsoft Teams if you wish.
See tender alerts or what Opptix looks at.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find council tenders for free?
The official government notice service is free to search, and most councils publish their opportunities on a portal that is free to register on.
Do I need to register to bid for council contracts?
Usually you register on the portal a council uses to submit a bid, and under the Procurement Act there is a central place to hold your supplier details. Check the notice for exact requirements.
Can a small business win council contracts?
Yes. Public bodies must now consider barriers to small suppliers, and many contracts are split into lots that suit smaller firms.
How do I find out when a council contract is due to be re-tendered?
Look at the end date and any extension options in the award notice. Opptix highlights contracts approaching their end.
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