Registering with the Central Digital Platform – Find a Tender Service

The Central Digital Platform & Find a Tender Service

Public procurement in the UK is set to undergo a significant transformation on 24 February 2025. These changes will reshape how public sector organisations procure goods and services, requiring suppliers to adapt and remain compliant. A key aspect of this transition is the use of the Find a Tender service, which serves as the central platform for publishing public procurement notices.

In this guide, we provide step-by-step instructions to help suppliers navigate the platform, manage users, and ensure their information is ready for public sector buyers.

The Rationale Behind the Central Digital Platform

The transition to the central digital platform aligns with the objectives of the Procurement Act 2023, which aims to:

• Streamline procurement processes and minimise duplication for suppliers.
• Enable suppliers to store core business details for reuse across multiple bids, reducing time spent on Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (PQQs) or Selection Questionnaires (SQs).
• Foster transparency and accessibility for businesses of all sizes, particularly SMEs.
• Enhance data capture for improved analysis and decision-making in public procurement.

The platform provides free and public visibility of procurement opportunities, simplifying the process for suppliers while ensuring compliance with updated regulations. It offers several key benefits, such as:

• Simple registration for suppliers and buyers.
• Easy updates and sharing of supplier information with buyers.
• Public visibility of procurement opportunities at no cost, with tender alerts available.
• A reduction in the administrative burden for suppliers by centralising core information.

Understanding Find a Tender

Find a Tender is the UK government's online platform where all public sector procurement notices are published, including:

• Information on opportunities for suppliers.
• Details on what public sector organisations intend to purchase and when.
• Bid submission requirements.
• Notifications of winning bidders and contract management details.

The platform enables suppliers to search for relevant opportunities, sign up for alerts, and stay informed about tenders in their industry. It also provides a single location for suppliers to register their business credentials and reuse this information across multiple bids, reducing administrative burdens.

Thornton & Lowe Support - Bid and Procurement Specialists

Thornton & Lowe are experts in bid writing and procurement support. We can manage and complete the registration process for you, ensuring your organisation is ready to use the Find a Tender platform efficiently.

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation and a quote, or to discuss broader bid writing support or training needs for your team.

SME Implications

The Procurement Act 2023 introduces several measures aimed at reducing barriers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in public procurement. Here are the key considerations for SMEs:

Definition of an SME

To qualify as an SME, an enterprise must have fewer than 250 staff and meet financial thresholds:

• Annual turnover: Less than or equal to £44 million.
• Balance sheet total: Less than or equal to £38 million.

SMEs can self-declare their status when registering on the Central Digital Platform.

Removing Barriers

Contracting authorities must:

• Avoid requiring insurance policies before the award of contracts.
• Ensure 30-day payment terms throughout the supply chain.
• Publish payment performance data to promote transparency.

SMEs can save time by storing core business details on the platform and reusing them for multiple bids.

Ownership Considerations

SMEs must assess their independence:

• Independent enterprises are assessed on their own metrics.
• Linked or substantially connected enterprises must account for relationships that influence their SME status.

Practical Benefits of the Central Digital Platform

• Greater visibility of upcoming opportunities.
• Improved access to market engagement activities to prepare for bids.
• A more competitive and inclusive procurement environment.

Government Procurement Spend

Government procurement represents a significant portion of public expenditure, with billions spent annually across various sectors. In the 2021/22 financial year alone:

• Total procurement spend was £79.2 billion.
• Direct spend with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) accounted for 12.3% of the total (£9.8 billion).
• Indirect spend with SMEs through supply chains contributed an additional 14.1% (£11.2 billion).

These figures demonstrate the government's commitment to supporting SMEs by making procurement processes more inclusive and accessible. By centralising procurement through the Find a Tender platform, SMEs can benefit from reduced barriers to entry and increased opportunities to participate in public sector tenders.

Registering Your Organisation

Before suppliers can bid, the organisation must be registered on the platform. Here's a step-by-step guide to setting up your organisation:

Setting Up a GOV.UK One Login Account

1. Enter your individual work email address.
2. Agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.
3. Create a secure password.
4. Choose a two-factor authentication method (text message or authentication app) and enter the verification code sent to you.

Providing Organisation Details

1. Provide your Companies House number (or equivalent such as a charity registration number).
2. Enter or confirm your organisation's registered address. This is automatically populated if linked to Companies House.

Adding Multiple Organisations (if applicable)

• If the administrator represents multiple businesses, they can register each one separately.

Setting Up Additional Users

• Assign roles to additional administrators, editors, or viewers as needed to manage your organisation's account effectively.

Adding Users to Your Account

Managing users is straightforward on Find a Tender. Follow these steps:

Logging in to Find a Tender

• Access your account using your registered email and password.

Navigating to 'Manage Users'

• In the 'My Account' section, select 'Manage Users'.

Adding User Details

1. Enter the name and email address of the user you wish to add.
2. Assign them a role based on their responsibilities (Administrator, Editor, or Viewer).

Saving Changes

• Confirm the details and save. The user will receive an invitation to join your organisation's account.

Understanding User Roles

Find a Tender provides three types of user roles:

Administrator:

• Full access to all functionalities, including user management, updating supplier information, and managing organisational details.

Editor:

• Can update supplier and organisation information but cannot manage other users.
• Able to complete declarations and generate share codes.

Viewer:

• Can view and download organisational information and share codes for tender submissions.

Completing Supplier Information

To complete your organisation's profile log in and click on the 'Complete Supplier Information' link.

Providing Information Under Key Headings

• Basic Information: Specify whether your organisation is an individual or a company. Update details such as VAT numbers, addresses, websites, and email contacts.
• Organisation Type: Identify your organisation as an SME, NGO, supported employment provider, public service mutual, or 'none of the above'.
• Legal Form: Indicate if your organisation is registered with Companies House and specify its corporate structure.
• Connected Persons: Declare if your organisation is influenced or controlled by others. Provide details such as names, dates of birth, and nationalities where required.
• Qualifications: Specify qualifications relevant to procurement. You can add multiple qualifications if necessary.
• Trade Assurances: Detail trade assurances held by your organisation. Provide details for each assurance entered.
• Exclusions: Confirm whether your organisation is subject to any mandatory or discretionary exclusions. Answer guided questions about the nature and location of exclusions.
• Financial Information: Upload audited financial documents, specifying the year-end date. Multiple documents can be uploaded as needed.

Practical Tips for Registration

• Prepare Documents: Have necessary documents like financial records and trade assurances ready before starting the registration process.
• Use Hint Text: Follow the on-screen instructions and hints to simplify data entry.
• Keep Information Updated: Regularly review and update your supplier information to avoid delays when bidding.

Declaring and Sharing Supplier Information

Once your supplier information is complete:

• Review all entered information and ensure it is accurate and up-to-date.

• Read and accept the terms of the declaration. Enter your details to confirm agreement.
• Generate a unique share code to be used when submitting tenders.
• Download the share code file for sharing with buyers.
• Share the code through the contracting authority's tendering portal or email/upload the supplier information as required.

Bid and Tendering Wider Context

Registering on the central digital platform as part of the Find a Tender Service is, of course, only the start! This is the beginning of the wider bid and tendering process. To succeed in this process, suppliers must understand and prepare for each key step.

Identifying and Reviewing Opportunities

Identifying opportunities is the first key stage. Find a Tender is a great place to start to search for relevant tenders in your industry and sign up for alerts to stay informed about new opportunities. You may also benefit from Tender Pipeline, which is our free software to find even more tenders and frameworks.

Once you've found a suitable tender, carefully review all provided tender documents, including specifications, terms, and evaluation criteria. Highlight critical deadlines and submission requirements to ensure you don't miss any important details.

Preparing and Submitting

Your Bid When preparing your response, address each question comprehensively while adhering to word or character limits. Use evidence and case studies to demonstrate your capability and track record. Double-check all documents for completeness and accuracy before submitting your bid using the specified method, such as an online portal or email.

After submission, your bid will be evaluated based on the published criteria. Be prepared to answer clarification questions if asked. If successful, you will receive an award notification and begin contract discussions. If unsuccessful, request feedback to improve future submissions.

For those businesses new to tendering, being Tender-Ready is the key! Maintain a library of frequently required documents, such as policies and case studies, that can be tailored to each bid. Keep your financial and insurance information up-to-date and ensure you understand the market, expectations and your competition.

Understanding specific buyer requirements is also a must. Attend market engagement events to gain insights into buyer priorities and build relationships where possible.

Invest in bid writing training for your team to ensure they can produce high-quality responses.

Continuous Improvement Finally, monitor your performance by reviewing past bid outcomes to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Implement a feedback loop to continuously refine your approach.

By understanding the tendering process and taking steps to be tender-ready, suppliers can increase their chances of winning contracts and growing their business through the Find a Tender Service.

FAQ Section

Q: What is the purpose of the Procurement Act 2023? A: The act aims to streamline public procurement processes, reduce duplication, and enhance accessibility for SMEs.

Q: How does the Central Digital Platform reduce time spent on PQQs or SQs? A: By allowing suppliers to store and reuse their core business details across multiple tenders, reducing repetitive data entry.

Q: Can I register multiple organisations under one account? A: Yes, administrators can add and manage multiple organisations under their account.

Q: What type of financial information is required? A: Audited financial documents, including year-end accounts, can be uploaded in multiple file formats.

Q: Is there a cost to register or use the platform? A: No, registration and access to procurement opportunities on the platform are free of charge.

Q: What documents are typically needed for tender submissions? A: Policies (e.g., health and safety, equality), financial information, case studies, and evidence of past performance.

Q: Can SMEs compete with larger organisations in public procurement? A: Yes, the Procurement Act promotes fair competition by simplifying processes and ensuring transparency.

Q: How can suppliers stay updated on tender opportunities? A: Register for alerts on platforms like Find a Tender and attend buyer engagement events to identify upcoming opportunities. Tender Pipeline is our free portal, which includes Find a Tender and many other opportunities - created in a 'bidder friendly' format.

Q: Are there templates available for tender responses? A: Yes, many organisations, including Thornton & Lowe, offer templates and tools to help suppliers streamline their bid writing process. We also offer Tender Library software.

Q: What support is available for suppliers new to public procurement? A: Thornton & Lowe provides bid-writing support, training, and consultation services to help suppliers navigate the tendering process.