Where do you find information about tendering opportunities?

Public bodies' tenders are advertised on a number of different websites and also in some trade journals and local newspapers. Many will advertise them on a section of their own website as well.

The websites listed below provide a useful idea of what the public sector is buying both locally and farther afield, and how they advertise tenders. However, be aware that turnaround time can be tight and that your competition may have been aware of the timescales and the commissioner's requirements a long time in advance.

Building relationships with possible customers of your services and making them aware of your work will put you in the best position to be aware of future upcoming opportunities, timescales and potential input into the whole commissioning process.

General

• sell2wales
  Despite the name this website provides details of tender opportunities across the UK including lower value ones. Searches can be made without the need to register.
• supply2.gov.uk
  Government run website giving access to lower value contract opportunities from public sector bodies. This includes contracts under the EU procurement threshold. Access is free for local searches with an upgrade fee applicable for searching nationally. The site requires registration.
• Tenders Electronic Daily
  European wide tenders above the EU procurement threshold.

• NAVCA
  Where to find tenders

• NAVCA Local Commissioning Procurement Unit
  European wide tenders above the EU procurement threshold.

• Free NCVO-Navca procurement guide - Pathways through the Maze - a Guide to Procurement Law, written by Anthony Collins Solicitors, aims to help voluntary groups understand the legal and practical issues of public sector contracting. It is free to download from the NCVO and Navca websites.You can download from one of two sites by clicking on the following links. http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/pathways  http://www.navca.org.uk/localvs/lcp/news/maze

Local Councils

• Hull City Council 
• East Riding of Yorkshire Council 

• Procurement Alliance North & North East Lincolnshire Councils

Subject Specific

• NHS supply2health
  An online resource that advertises opportunities to provide Part B clinical services to the NHS and details of awarded contracts
• Bluelight Emergency Services eTendering Site
  Tenders across the country from the emergency services. Requires registration.
• Children's Workforce Development Council
  Current tenders.
• Department of Work and Pensions
  Information on supplying DWP.
• Housing
  The news and events section of the Supporting People website publishes housing related support tender opportunities.

• National Offender Management Service (NOMS)
  NOMS provide a National Provider Network where organisations can register to express an interest in delivering intervention based, offender management related services.

KnowHow NonProfit

KnowHow NonProfit provide further help and guidance to the tendering process including:

• Approved provider lists
• Pre-qualification questionnaire

They also provide a forum on which you can share your tips and experiences

• Public service income forum

Opportunities to tender for HLC projects

Any new projects offered to our registered providers will be listed on this page, as they become available.

HLC also offer a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section for those involved in, or planning to become involved in, tendering.

Doing Business with the VCS

A tender support project delivered by CERT

Successful Commissioning: How to secure value for money through better financial relationships with third sector organisations

The National Audit Office has launched a new version of the Decision Support Tool, 'Successful Commissioning: How to secure value for money through better financial relationships with third sector organisations'. This is a vital resource for all NAVCA members. It is aimed at local commissioners, rather than central government, making it extremely useful for members. Crucially, it supports a continued role for grant funding.

The Successful Commissioning guide is available via the NAO website.

The NAO are also inviting people to email them if they want to be notified of subsequent updates to the guide, or want to make any comments on the guide or submit any practical examples.