- Search with keywords and CPV codes together: buyers describe the same work in different ways.
- Filter by location, but remember some notices only say “United Kingdom”.
- Tender notices are open for bids; pipeline and planned notices show what’s coming.
- Save your search with a GOV.UK One Login to get email alerts, and repeat it on Contracts Finder.
How to search Find a Tender: step by step
- 01Open the Find a Tender searchGo to Find a Tender and choose the notice search. You don’t need to sign in to search.
- 02Start with the words buyers useTry the plain words that appear in titles, plus their variations: cleaning, cleaners, janitorial.
- 03Add CPV codes for your tradeCPV codes are the official codes buyers use to describe what they’re buying. Searching by code catches tenders that use different words.
- 04Filter by locationPick the region you can serve. Some notices only say “United Kingdom”, so check those too or you’ll miss them.
- 05Look at live opportunities firstTender notices are the ones open for bids. Planned procurement and pipeline notices tell you what’s coming.
- 06Save the search and turn on alertsSign in with a GOV.UK One Login to save your search and get new matches by email.
- 07Repeat on Contracts FinderOlder-rules notices are still published there. Save the same search so you see both.
CPV codes for common trades
CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) codes are the official codes buyers attach to every notice. Searching by the right code finds tenders whose titles use words you wouldn’t think to search. Here are starting points for some common trades:
| Trade | CPV codes to try |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | 90910000 Cleaning services; 90919200 Office cleaning services |
| Security guarding | 79710000 Security services |
| Grounds maintenance | 77314000 Grounds maintenance services |
| Facilities management | 79993000 Building and facilities management services |
| Construction | 45000000 Construction work |
| Domiciliary care | 85312000 Social work services without accommodation |
Codes are chosen by each buyer, and they aren’t always precise. A cleaning contract might be coded as facilities management, for example. That’s why combining codes with keywords works best.
Searching by region
Location filters use the place where the work will be delivered. Two things catch people out:
- “United Kingdom” only. Some notices give the whole UK instead of a region, often for national frameworks. Filter too tightly and you won’t see them.
- Frameworks. A national framework can lead to call-off work in your area later, even if the notice doesn’t name your region.
If you can travel, search a little wider than your home region. Many small contracts are won by suppliers just over the border.
Which notices to watch
| Notice | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Tender notice | The opportunity is live and the documents are available | Check you qualify, then bid |
| Planned procurement notice | A tender is coming soon | Get your documents ready |
| Pipeline notice | Contracts a large buyer plans to procure in the next 18 months | Plan ahead and build the relationship |
| Preliminary market engagement notice | The buyer wants to talk to suppliers first | Take part: it shapes the tender |
| Contract award notice | The buyer has chosen a winner | Research prices and rivals |
Our Procurement Act 2023 guide covers every notice type.
The shortcut: both portals by trade and region
Setting up and checking searches on two sites takes time, and it’s easy to miss a tender with an unusual title or code.
tenderITT does that work for you. We read Find a Tender and Contracts Finder every hour and sort each notice into one of 61 trades, using CPV codes and the words in the title. You can see every live tender for your trade and region on one page, with what buyers ask for: turnover, insurance and accreditations.
See live tenders from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder.
Pick your trade to see every live tender from both portals, sorted by region and updated hourly.
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Searching Find a Tender: FAQs
What is a CPV code?
CPV stands for Common Procurement Vocabulary. It’s the set of official codes public buyers use to describe what they’re buying, such as 90910000 for cleaning services. Searching by CPV code finds tenders that use different words in their titles.
Can I search Find a Tender without an account?
Yes. Searching is free and doesn’t need an account. Sign in with a GOV.UK One Login to save searches and get email alerts.
Why do I see tenders outside my region?
Some notices give the whole United Kingdom as the location, often for national frameworks, and location is based on where the work is delivered. Check the notice for where the work actually happens.
How often are new tenders published?
Every working day. Some bid windows are short, so check daily or use alerts.
Do I also need to search Contracts Finder?
It’s worth it for now. New tenders under the Procurement Act go on Find a Tender, but Contracts Finder still carries notices for procurements that started under the old rules.
Last reviewed 16 October 2026. tenderITT is independent and not part of, or endorsed by, the UK government. This guide is general information, not legal advice; always follow the instructions in each tender pack.