UK Procurement Glossary
Prior Information Notice (PIN)
A pre-procurement notice published by a UK public sector buyer signalling intent to procure, often used to gauge supplier interest before a formal tender.
Definition
A Prior Information Notice (PIN) is published on Find a Tender Service to signal a UK public sector buyer's intent to procure something in the coming months. PINs let the supplier market prepare, run market engagement events and (sometimes) reduce the minimum tender timeline once the formal procurement begins.
PINs are not commitments — the buyer may change scope or cancel. Treat them as early intelligence: track relevant PINs, engage with the buyer's market events, and start preparing your bid materials before the formal tender drops.
How this affects your bid
Engaging with a PIN early often shapes the final spec in your favour. Suppliers who attend market engagement events frequently outscore those who only see the tender when it goes live.
Common questions about prior information notice (pin)
How far ahead are PINs published?
Typically 1-12 months ahead of the formal procurement, depending on contract complexity. Major programmes may publish PINs a year or more in advance.
Do all UK procurements have a PIN?
No. PINs are optional. Many smaller and routine procurements skip the PIN stage and go straight to a formal tender notice.
Related terms
Request for Information (RFI)
A pre-procurement document asking suppliers for general information about their capabil…
Find a Tender Service (FTS)
The UK government's official portal for public-sector contract opportunities above the …
Invitation to Tender (ITT)
The formal document a UK public sector buyer issues inviting suppliers to submit a tend…
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