Central Digital Platform Explained

Find a Tender: The UK's Central Digital Platform Explained

The UK public procurement landscape underwent a significant transformation on 24 February 2025. The enhanced Find a Tender service, developed as part of the Procurement Act 2023, now serves as the central digital platform for all public sector procurement activities.

This free-to-use platform represents more than just a technical upgrade - it's a fundamental shift in how government contracts are advertised, managed and awarded. For suppliers, especially SMEs, it promises to remove longstanding barriers to public sector opportunities. For contracting authorities, it offers streamlined processes and better compliance with the new regulatory framework.

Whether you're bidding for contracts or managing procurement, understanding this platform is now essential for navigating the public sector marketplace effectively.

What Is the Central Digital Platform?

Find a Tender is both a new system and an evolution of the existing service. At its core, it maintains the same web address (www.find-tender.service.gov.uk) but introduces substantial improvements to the user experience. While retaining the core notice publication functionality, it adds powerful new features around sign-in, registration, and supplier information management.

For those familiar with the previous Find a Tender Service, you'll still have access to historical PCR notices and can continue working with procurements that started before February 2025. If you register with your existing email address, your notices will carry across to your new profile automatically.

Contract Finder, however, has been retired, with its functionality incorporated into the enhanced platform.

The central digital platform facilitates every stage of the procurement lifecycle through 17 different notice types. Not all notices are used in every procurement, as some relate to special activities, but they collectively provide unprecedented transparency into public sector buying.

Notice Types and Their Importance

One of the platform's most valuable features is its structured notice system. The Cabinet Office videos highlight three particularly important notice types that suppliers should watch for:

Pipeline Notices (UK1) give early visibility of upcoming opportunities. Any contracting authority spending over £100 million in a financial year must publish these notices for requirements exceeding £2 million, allowing suppliers to prepare well in advance.

Tender Notices (UK4) announce active opportunities open for bidding. These detail the specific requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission process - essential information for any supplier looking to compete for public contracts.

Contract Award Notices (UK6) reveal procurement outcomes, including the successful supplier and contract value. These provide valuable intelligence about market activity and competitor success.

The detailed content requirements for each notice type are set out in the Procurement Regulations 2024, available at www.legislation.gov.uk.

Benefits for Public Sector Buyers

Contracting authorities will find their procurement activities significantly streamlined through several key improvements to the platform.

Streamlined Notice Publication and Management

Perhaps the most celebrated feature among procurement professionals is the new direct editing capability. The regulations no longer require the publication of corrigenda, which has been enthusiastically welcomed by contracting authorities across the UK.

This seemingly small change represents a massive efficiency gain. Previously, any correction to a published notice required a separate corrigendum, creating confusion and administrative burden. Now, contracting authorities can simply:

• Access their published notice
• Click 'edit' to make necessary changes
• Add a summary box describing the modifications
• Update the notice directly

The system automatically indicates it's an updated version, maintains previous versions for reference, and alerts suppliers monitoring the notice—maintaining transparency while reducing paperwork.

Single Login for Multiple Organisations

For procurement professionals working across different contracting authorities, the platform offers a welcome simplification.

The new signin service uses GOV.UK One Login as the foundation. Users enter through this as individuals, but once authenticated and inside Find a Tender, they can create or be associated with multiple organisations.

This eliminates the frustration of managing separate login credentials for each contracting authority, allowing seamless movement between different procurement roles through a single account.

Data Visibility and Strategic Insight

The platform captures comprehensive procurement data in the Open Contracting Data Standard format, available for re-use under the Open Government Licence 3.0.

In future updates, this data will support analytical dashboards, allowing contracting authorities to:

• Track spending patterns across departments
• Identify strategic sourcing opportunities
• Benchmark performance against similar organisations
• Support evidence-based procurement strategies

The Cabinet Office team has indicated that these analytical features will be enhanced after the initial launch, with further developments planned to help contracting authorities embed the changes required by the Procurement Act.

Benefits for Suppliers

The platform introduces game-changing improvements for businesses seeking public sector contracts, addressing many longstanding pain points in the tender process.

Finding Opportunities More Easily

The enhanced search functionality makes discovering relevant opportunities significantly more straightforward. Suppliers can filter notices by multiple criteria simultaneously, including:

• Notice type (e.g., showing only Tender Notices)
• Suitability for specific business types (e.g., SMEs)
• Geographic location (e.g., East of England)
• Sector or category

"To help in locating specific notices, we have created some tools to help you find what you are looking for," explains the official guidance. This advanced filtering capability helps businesses quickly identify the most relevant opportunities from potentially thousands of published notices.

Perhaps even more valuable is the saved search functionality. After setting up your preferred search criteria, you can:

1. Select 'save search' at the bottom of your filtered results
2. Name your search for easy reference
3. Choose how frequently you want to receive email alerts
4. Receive automatic notifications when matching opportunities arise

This proactive notification system ensures you never miss relevant opportunities, even when you're not actively browsing the platform.

The End of Multiple Portal Logins

One of the most frustrating aspects of the current procurement landscape has been maintaining countless login details across different portals, each with unique supplier registration forms that need constant updating, along with varying functionalities, upload restrictions, and formats.

The central digital platform addresses this directly with its "Tell Us Once" approach. Suppliers need only register and maintain their information in one place, significantly reducing administrative overhead.

The platform makes life much easier for bid managers and procurement professionals alike. There's no need to search through multiple platforms or pay subscriptions to service providers to access essential tender information.

While some contracting authorities may continue using their own eSender systems, the platform provides APIs and profile sharing options that maintain the single-entry benefit for suppliers.

Building a Strategic Pipeline

The improved visibility of upcoming contracts enables more strategic business planning. Through Pipeline Notices, suppliers gain advance knowledge of major procurement activities, allowing them to:

• Allocate resources more effectively
• Develop targeted capabilities
• Build relationships with potential delivery partners
• Prepare higher-quality proposals

This forward visibility is particularly valuable for businesses with limited bid resources, as it allows for better planning and reduces the chance of missing valuable opportunities to bid.

Focus on Quality Rather Than Admin

The platform's streamlined processes free up valuable time previously spent on administrative tasks. Automated notifications and standardised templates reduce administrative burden, minimising time spent uploading into portals and updating information every time insurance expires or ISOs are renewed.

This shift gives organisations more time to focus on creating stronger, more compelling proposals for prospective clients—the real value-adding activity in the bid process.

Registration and Setup Process

Getting started with the platform requires some preparation, but the process has been designed to be as straightforward as possible. We also have a specific article on Find a Tender & Central Digital Platform Registration.

Creating Your GOV.UK One Login

The first step is establishing your GOV.UK One Login account with two-factor authentication:

1. Download an authenticator app first. While you can use SMS verification, an authenticator app is recommended as it can be transferred between devices. Microsoft Authenticator works well and can be installed on both mobile devices and laptops.
2. Visit the GOV.UK One Login portal at signin.account.gov.uk.
3. Register with your preferred email and verify it using the code sent to your inbox.
4. Set a secure password following the guidance provided.
5. Configure two-factor authentication. When prompted to choose between phone or app verification, select app. The system will display a QR code which you can scan with your authenticator app. This adds your GOV.UK account automatically.
6. Enter the 6-digit code displayed by your authenticator app to confirm the setup. Note that this code refreshes every 30 seconds.
7. Accept the privacy notice when prompted.
8. Enter your name to complete the basic account setup.

Remember that the QR code for authentication is only displayed once during setup, so ensure you complete this step without interruption. You'll need your authenticator app each time you log in, so keep it installed and accessible.

Connecting to Your Organisation

Once your personal GOV.UK One Login is established:

1. Check for an invitation email from Find a Tender. This might be in your junk/spam folder, so check there if you don't see it in your inbox.
2. Click the invitation link to connect your GOV.UK One account to your company profile.
3. Verify your organisation appears under "My organisations" on your main account page.
4. Access your tender account by clicking "View". This gives you access to company information management and notice viewing options.

If you're setting up a new organisation rather than joining an existing one, you'll need to provide additional information during the registration process.

Preparing Your Company Information

Before starting the registration process, gather these essential details:

Basic Information:

• Organisation name and registered address
• Companies House number (or equivalent for charities, etc.)
• VAT registration number (if applicable)
• Relevant qualifications or trade assurances
• Organisation classification (SME, VCSE or public mutual)

Financial Details:

• Copies of accounts from your most recent financial years
• Information about your economic and financial standing

Connected Persons:

• Names, addresses and details of individuals with significant control
• Information about parent companies or other controlling entities

Exclusion Information:

• Details of any discretionary or mandatory exclusions
• Information related to schedules 6 & 7 of the Procurement Act 2023

Practical Usage Tips

Beyond the basic setup, certain strategies can help you maximise the platform's benefits.

Effective Search Techniques

To find the most relevant opportunities:

Start with broad criteria and gradually narrow down. Beginning with too many specific filters might eliminate potentially relevant opportunities.

Combine geographical and sectoral filters. For example, you might look for construction opportunities specifically in Scotland, or digital services in the healthcare sector.

Don't overlook below-threshold notices. While publication of supplier identifiers is optional for below-threshold procurement, these smaller contracts can provide valuable entry points to public sector work.

Experiment with different search terms and combinations. The platform's search algorithm can identify opportunities even when they don't use your exact terminology.

Setting Up Notification Strategies

Rather than creating a single saved search, consider setting up multiple alerts with different criteria:

• A broad search covering your entire sector with weekly notifications
• More specific searches for your specialised services with daily alerts
• Geographical searches covering your primary operating areas
• Searches for particular contracting authorities you're targeting

This layered approach ensures you catch all relevant opportunities while prioritising the most promising ones.

Understanding What Happens Next

Remember that Find a Tender is primarily for opportunity discovery and information sharing. As the Cabinet Office guidance notes: "Suppliers will always need to complete their bids in the form and manner required by the contracting authority."

After finding an opportunity and registering your interest, you'll typically:

1. Generate a share code or download a file containing your supplier information
2. Submit this code or file as specified in the tender notice
3. Complete the full bid through the channel indicated by the contracting authority

This might involve pasting the share code into an eSender system or emailing the downloaded file directly to the buyer.

What the Platform Doesn't Replace

Despite its comprehensive functionality, the central digital platform has important limitations suppliers should understand.

Prequalification Requirements Remain

The platform does not replace established prequalification requirements. As the Cabinet Office emphasises: "It is not a replacement for prequalification. Contracting authorities must still conduct their own due diligence to verify supplier eligibility."

Industry standards such as the Common Assessment Standard remain essential in the qualification process. In fact, the Crown Commercial Service recently confirmed that suppliers applying to its new Construction Works and Associated Services Framework (worth up to £80 billion) must be certified to the Common Assessment Standard.

No Automatic Data Verification

The platform doesn't verify the accuracy of supplier-provided information. The responsibility for data accuracy rests with suppliers, while contracting authorities must perform appropriate due diligence checks.

As the official guidance states: "It is the supplier's responsibility to ensure that the data they are sharing is accurate. Find a Tender doesn't undertake any assurance before the supplier shares it."

Varied Use for Below-Threshold Procurement

There is no requirement for contracting authorities to use the central digital platform for below-threshold procurement. Publication of supplier identifiers is optional in below-threshold notices, meaning some smaller opportunities may not appear on the platform.

However, contracting authorities are encouraged to use the platform for all procurement activities to maximise transparency and supplier engagement.

How Thornton & Lowe Can Help

The transition to this new procurement landscape presents both opportunities and challenges. With our specialist expertise, Thornton & Lowe can help you master the central digital platform and maximise your success in public sector bidding.

Platform Registration and Account Setup

Our bid writing services team provides hands-on support through every step of the registration process:

We'll help you gather and structure all required documentation before beginning the registration process, ensuring everything is complete and accurate.

Our technical specialists can guide you through the GOV.UK One Login setup, including authenticator app installation and configuration across your devices.

We'll ensure your company profile is optimally configured with compelling and comprehensive information that positions you effectively for tender opportunities.

For organisations with multiple users, we can establish and manage appropriate access permissions and workflows.

Thornton & Lowe's Tender Pipeline

Beyond the basic functionality of Find a Tender, our proprietary Tender Pipeline service offers enhanced opportunity intelligence:

Multi-Source Monitoring: We collate notices not just from the central digital platform but from numerous additional sources, creating a comprehensive view of the market that exceeds what's possible through Find a Tender alone.

AI-Enhanced Search: Our advanced algorithms identify relevant opportunities that might be missed by basic keyword searches, using semantic analysis to understand the context and requirements of each notice.

Buyer and Competitor Intelligence: We provide detailed reports on buyer behaviour, spending patterns, and competitor activities, giving you strategic insights for better bid/no-bid decisions.

Personalised Alerts: Our system delivers customised notifications based on your specific capabilities, target sectors, and growth objectives, ensuring you never miss relevant opportunities.

Forward Planning: We analyse Pipeline Notices and other early indicators to help you prepare for upcoming opportunities months in advance, allowing for strategic capability development.

Expert Bid Development

When you identify suitable opportunities, our bid writing team can:

• Interpret tender requirements accurately within the context of the new procurement framework.
• Develop compelling, evidence-based responses that directly address evaluation criteria.
• Ensure all technical aspects of submission via the platform are handled correctly, including share codes and information sharing.
• Provide quality assurance for internally developed bids, identifying opportunities for improvement before submission.

Capability Building and Training

For organisations looking to build internal expertise, we offer bespoke bid writing training programmes tailored to your specific sectors and your organisation. These workshops use example bids and put the theory in practice.

Our mentoring support can also help your team navigate the transition period while the marketplace adapts to the new systems.

For more information on how we can support your success on the central digital platform and bidding for government contracts and tenders, contact us at hello@thorntonandlowe.com.

Future Developments

The Cabinet Office has indicated that Find a Tender will continue to evolve after its initial launch. Additional benefits are being developed to help contracting authorities through their procurement lifecycle, with further enhancements planned for future updates.

Expected developments include:

• Better data analytics capabilities
• Improved integration with eSender systems
• Expanded support for complex procurement types
• Additional features to help embed the changes required by the Procurement Act

As the platform matures, it promises to deliver even greater benefits in terms of efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.

Central Digital Platform: Summary

The central digital platform represents a significant modernisation of UK public procurement, addressing many longstanding challenges in the tender process. By providing a unified hub for procurement information, it creates unprecedented transparency and accessibility in the public sector marketplace.

For suppliers, particularly SMEs, the platform removes many administrative barriers to public sector opportunities. The streamlined registration process, powerful search capabilities, and "Tell Us Once" approach to information management collectively make public procurement more accessible than ever before.

For contracting authorities, the enhanced notice management, multi-organisation login capability, and future analytical features promise to transform procurement from an administrative necessity to a strategic function.

Find a Tender is set to revolutionise how suppliers and buyers interact in the UK public sector, providing a more efficient, transparent and accessible procurement ecosystem for all.

Central Digital Platform - Key Government Resources:

• Find a Tender service
• Procurement Act 2023