UK Procurement Glossary
Contracts Finder
The UK government's free portal for English public-sector contract opportunities below the formal procurement thresholds.
Definition
Contracts Finder is the UK government's free portal for below-threshold public sector contract opportunities and awards in England. Buyers are required to publish contracts above £12,000 (central government) or £30,000 (other public bodies) on Contracts Finder, alongside any opportunities they choose to publicise more widely.
For above-threshold contracts, the parallel portal is Find a Tender Service. Many tenders end up on both — and many sub-threshold tenders are the natural entry point for SMEs.
How this affects your bid
Below-threshold contracts are the easiest place to start bidding for UK public sector work. Fewer competitors, simpler procurement, faster decisions. Use Contracts Finder alerts to identify opportunities in your sector and region.
Common questions about contracts finder
What's the minimum contract value on Contracts Finder?
Buyers must publish contracts above £12k (central government) or £30k (other public bodies). Many publish smaller contracts voluntarily.
Is Contracts Finder different from Find a Tender Service?
Yes — Contracts Finder covers below-threshold; FTS covers above-threshold. Many notices appear on both for visibility.
Related terms
Find a Tender Service (FTS)
The UK government's official portal for public-sector contract opportunities above the …
Below-Threshold
A UK public sector contract whose estimated value is below the financial threshold for …
Above-Threshold
A UK public sector contract whose estimated value is above the financial threshold for …
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