Public procurement is a devolved matter, which means the rules — and the portals you search — are not the same across the UK. If you sell to the public sector in more than one nation, this guide explains where to look and which regime applies.
At a glance
- England & UK-wide: the Procurement Act 2023; notices on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder.
- Scotland: its own procurement rules; notices on Public Contracts Scotland.
- Wales: the Procurement Act 2023 (with some differences); notices on Sell2Wales.
- Northern Ireland: the Procurement Act 2023 (with some differences); notices on eTendersNI.
Why the UK isn't one single system
Because procurement is devolved, the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive each have powers over how certain contracts are procured. The Procurement Act 2023 (in force since 24 February 2025) does not cover the whole UK in the same way:
- It applies to England and reserved/UK-wide procurement.
- It applies to Wales (devolved Welsh authorities), but with some differences — for example, the National Procurement Policy Statement does not apply to devolved Welsh procurements.
- It applies to Northern Ireland (transferred NI authorities), again with some differences.
- It does not apply to devolved Scottish authorities, which keep Scotland's own procurement legislation.
(For the England/UK picture, see the Procurement Act 2023 explained.)
Find a Tender (UK-wide)
Find a Tender is the UK's central e-notification service. Higher-value contracts across the UK are advertised here. Since 24 February 2025, both above- and below-threshold notices for new UK procurements are published on Find a Tender — except below-threshold contracts in Scotland, which stay on the Scottish portal.
Scotland — Public Contracts Scotland
Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) is the Scottish Government's portal, and it is Scottish Government policy for all contracting authorities in Scotland to use it — including Scottish local authorities, NHS Scotland, the Scottish Government and its family of bodies, colleges and universities, and the emergency services. Scotland runs its own procurement rules rather than the Procurement Act 2023.
Wales — Sell2Wales
Sell2Wales is the Welsh Government's portal for advertising public-sector contract and tender opportunities in Wales. Public bodies use it to publish contract notices, quick quotes and buyer information; suppliers use it to search opportunities and set up alerts. Devolved Welsh authorities follow the Procurement Act 2023 with some Wales-specific differences.
Northern Ireland — eTendersNI
In Northern Ireland, eTendersNI is the primary portal for finding public-sector contracts. It is operated by the Department of Finance and lets suppliers search for and bid on contracts worth over £30,000. Transferred NI authorities follow the Procurement Act 2023 with some NI-specific differences.
The practical problem
If your business can deliver across borders, you face an obvious chore: checking Find a Tender, Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and eTendersNI separately, each with its own search, its own registration and its own alert settings.
Worse, the rules differ too. A bid that satisfies the Procurement Act 2023 is not automatically shaped correctly for a Scottish procurement, and the selection-stage questions are not the same. Bidding UK-wide means learning more than one system.
This is where working with a prime changes the maths. Lentora monitors all of these portals as a matter of course and knows which regime a given notice falls under — so a supplier who can deliver across borders can bid across borders without absorbing four sets of rules.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Procurement Act 2023 apply across the whole UK?
It applies to England and UK-wide procurement, and to Wales and Northern Ireland with some differences. It does not apply to devolved Scottish authorities, which keep Scotland's own rules.
Where are Scottish public contracts advertised?
On Public Contracts Scotland, the Scottish Government's portal, which all Scottish contracting authorities are expected to use.
Where are Welsh and Northern Irish contracts advertised?
Welsh opportunities are on Sell2Wales; Northern Irish opportunities are on eTendersNI (for contracts over £30,000).
Do I need to register separately in each nation?
Generally yes. Registration on the central digital platform covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland for above-threshold work, but Public Contracts Scotland is a separate registration, and individual buyer portals often require their own.
Sources
- legislation.gov.uk — Procurement Act 2023, explanatory notes: territorial extent
- GOV.UK — Guidance: Devolved Contracting Authorities
- GOV.UK — Guidance: Below-Threshold Contracts
- Public Contracts Scotland — official portal
- Sell2Wales — official portal
- eTendersNI — official portal