Book a callGet started free

Contracts Finder: UK public sector contract notices and awards

Contracts Finder is the UK government's transparency portal for public procurement opportunities and awards, run by the Cabinet Office under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015).

From 24 February 2025, above-threshold notices for new UK procurements outside Scotland moved to Find a Tender under the Procurement Act 2023. Contracts Finder now carries below-threshold notices for England, alongside historic above-threshold English notices and awards. Scotland uses Public Contracts Scotland, Wales uses Sell2Wales, and Northern Ireland uses eSourcing NI or eTendersNI.

Under PPN 01/23, publication on Contracts Finder is required for central government contracts of £12,000 or more including VAT, and for sub-central authorities, NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts at £30,000 or more including VAT. Exemptions apply for wholly Scottish, Welsh or Northern Ireland devolved functions, NHS healthcare services covered by the 2013 Regulations, and maintained schools, academies and sixth form college corporations.

Recent notices from Contracts Finder

Browse open tenders, awarded contracts, and pre-procurement documents from Contracts Finder.

Trend over time

Notice volume for Contracts Finder over the last 24 months.

Buyer ranking

The buyers publishing the most notices on Contracts Finder.

View all buyers
BuyerCountValue
  1. Ministry of Defence
    11,124
    £163.7bn
  2. UK Research & Innovation
    10,390
    £3.7bn
  3. UK Shared Business Services - UKSBS
    9,656
    £4.3bn
  4. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
    8,284
    £14.7bn
  5. National Highways Limited
    7,382
    £46.5bn
  6. Suffolk County Council
    7,177
    £4.1bn
  7. NHS England
    5,427
    £150.3bn
  8. Ministry of Justice
    5,167
    £52.9bn
  9. Department of Health and Social Care
    4,712
    £51.4bn
  10. Department for Education
    4,618
    £40.2bn

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about Contracts Finder and how its notices reach Stotles.

  • What is Contracts Finder?

    It is the UK government's transparency portal for public sector contract opportunities and awards, run by the Cabinet Office. Publication requirements sit under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and PPN 01/23.

  • What is published on Contracts Finder now that Find a Tender exists?

    Since 24 February 2025, above-threshold notices for new UK procurements outside Scotland are published on Find a Tender under the Procurement Act 2023. Contracts Finder carries below-threshold notices for England and remains searchable for historic above-threshold English notices and awards.

  • Who has to publish on Contracts Finder?

    All contracting authorities across the UK public sector, except those exempt under section 6 of Part 1 of the PPN 01/23 guidance. Below-threshold publication applies only to central government authorities and to sub-central authorities, NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts above the relevant value limits.

  • Who is exempt?

    Contracting authorities whose functions are wholly or mainly Scottish, Northern Ireland or Welsh devolved. NHS healthcare services within the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No. 2) Regulations 2013. Maintained schools, academies and sixth form college corporations.

  • What are the below-threshold value limits?

    £12,000 including VAT for central government authorities. £30,000 including VAT for sub-central authorities, NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts. Contract value is calculated inclusive of VAT.

  • What must be published when a contract is awarded?

    The full company name of the winning supplier, the date the contract was entered into, the total value in pounds sterling, and an indication of whether the winner is an SME or a VCSE. Central government authorities in scope of Part 2 must also publish the tender and contract documents with the notice.

  • When must an award be published?

    Within 30 calendar days of the contract award date, defined as the date the contract is signed by the last contracting party. If the deadline falls on a non-working day, publication may be made by the end of the next working day.

  • Does Contracts Finder cover Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

    No. Scotland uses Public Contracts Scotland, Wales uses Sell2Wales, and Northern Ireland uses eSourcing NI or eTendersNI. Contracts Finder covers England.

  • Do NHS Foundation Trusts have to publish?

    Yes, at the £30,000 including VAT threshold, aligned with NHS Trusts and sub-central authorities since the Public Contracts (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

  • Where can I read the underlying rules?

    PPN 01/23 sets out the current transparency requirements. It sits alongside the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, in particular regulations 106, 108, 110 and 112, which govern publication on Contracts Finder.

Manual tender search is costing you deals.

Every day you're scrolling portals, a relevant tender slips past. Stotles AI reads all of them and puts the ones that fit in a single feed tailored to your business.

Sign up freeBook a call