What is an open tender?
An open tender is a public procurement process where any qualified supplier can submit a bid for a contract. Unlike closed or restricted tenders, there's no invite list. The opportunity is advertised publicly, and competition is open to all.
This guide covers how open tendering works step by step, how it compares to other tender types, and where to find open tenders in the UK.
What is an open tender
An open tender is a public procurement process where any qualified supplier can submit a bid for a project. Governments and public sector bodies use open tenders to promote transparency, equal opportunity, and maximum competition. You might also hear this called open bidding, public tendering, or competitive bidding.
The defining feature is simple: anyone can participate. The buyer advertises the opportunity publicly, and any supplier who meets the eligibility criteria can respond. There's no invite list, no pre-selection, and no advantage for suppliers with existing relationships.
- Public advertisement: The opportunity is posted on procurement portals and buyer websites for anyone to find
- Open to all: Any eligible supplier can submit a bid, regardless of whether they've worked with the buyer before
- Competitive: Multiple bidders compete, which typically drives better value for the buyer
- Transparent: Evaluation criteria are published upfront, and the process is auditable
In the UK public sector, open tendering is the default approach for contracts above certain value thresholds. It's a legal requirement designed to ensure fair competition and prevent favouritism.
How does the open tendering process work
The open tendering process follows a predictable sequence, though timelines vary depending on contract value and complexity. Understanding each stage helps you plan your resources and respond effectively.
Step 1: Preparation and planning
The buyer defines what they want to procure and prepares the tender documents. This includes the specification, evaluation criteria, and contract terms. As a supplier, this is your window to monitor for upcoming opportunities before they go live.
Step 2: Public advertisement of the tender
Once ready, the buyer publishes the tender on procurement portals like Contracts Finder or Find a Tender Service. This public advertisement is what makes it an open tender. The notice includes key details: what's being procured, submission deadlines, and how to access the full documents.
Step 3: Supplier registration
After finding a relevant tender, you register your interest with the buyer. This typically involves creating an account on their procurement portal and confirming you meet basic eligibility requirements.
Step 4: Tender submission
You prepare and submit your bid before the deadline. Your tender application includes everything the buyer has asked for: technical proposals explaining how you'll deliver, pricing schedules, and evidence of compliance with their requirements.
Tip: Late submissions are almost always rejected, regardless of quality. Build in buffer time for technical issues with portal uploads.
Step 5: Bid evaluation
The buyer reviews all submissions against their published criteria. Technical evaluation usually happens first, assessing whether you can actually deliver what's required. Financial evaluation follows for bidders who pass the technical stage.
Step 6: Contract award
The buyer selects a winner and notifies all bidders of the outcome. For public sector contracts, a standstill period of around ten days applies before the contract is signed. This gives unsuccessful bidders time to request feedback or raise concerns.
Step 7: Contract execution
The winning supplier signs the contract and begins delivery according to the agreed terms.
Open tender vs closed tender
The core difference between open and closed tenders is who can participate.
With an open tender, you compete on merit even if you've never worked with the buyer before. With a closed tender, you're only in the running if the buyer already knows you and chooses to invite you.
For suppliers building their public sector presence, open tenders represent the clearest route to market. You're competing on the same terms as established players.
Other types of tenders you should know
Open tendering sits within a broader landscape of procurement approaches. Here's a quick overview of the alternatives you'll encounter.
Restricted tender
Only pre-qualified or invited suppliers can participate. Buyers use restricted tenders when they want to limit the number of bids to evaluate, often for complex or high-value contracts. There's typically a pre-qualification stage before the main tender.
Negotiated tender
The buyer negotiates directly with one or more suppliers rather than running a competitive process. This approach is reserved for specific circumstances, such as when only one supplier can meet the requirement or when previous tender processes have failed.
Single-stage tender
All criteria, both technical and financial, are evaluated together in one submission. This is common for straightforward requirements where the buyer doesn't expect significant variation in approach between bidders.
Two-stage tender
Technical proposals are evaluated first. Only shortlisted suppliers are then invited to submit pricing. Buyers use this approach for complex projects where they want to assess capability before discussing cost.
Request for proposal
A request for proposal (RFP) is a formal document requesting detailed proposals, including methodology, approach, and pricing. RFPs are common for complex requirements where the buyer wants to understand how you'll deliver, not just what you'll charge.
Request for quotation
A request for quotation (RFQ) is used for straightforward purchases where price is the primary factor. RFQs are less detailed than RFPs and are typically used for commodity goods or simple services.
Benefits of open tenders for suppliers
Open tenders offer genuine advantages, particularly if you're building your public sector presence.
Increased competition and fair access
You can compete on merit regardless of existing relationships with the buyer. New suppliers have the same access as incumbents, which levels the playing field for businesses entering the market.
Greater transparency in procurement
Evaluation criteria are published upfront. You know exactly what the buyer is looking for and how they'll score your response. This clarity helps you decide whether to bid and how to structure your proposal.
Level playing field for small businesses
SMEs and new market entrants can compete alongside established suppliers. No pre-existing relationship is required to get your foot in the door, and many public sector buyers actively encourage bids from smaller suppliers.
Public accountability
The auditable process builds trust. Buyers justify their decisions against published criteria, and unsuccessful bidders can request feedback on their submissions.
Challenges when responding to open tenders
Open tenders come with real difficulties. Here's what you're likely to encounter.
High volume of competing bids
More suppliers bidding means lower win rates. You can't pursue every opportunity, so being selective about which tenders you respond to becomes critical. Chasing everything often means winning nothing.
Time and resource requirements
Preparing a compliant, competitive bid takes significant effort. A typical tender response might require input from technical, commercial, legal, and delivery teams. Without a clear bid/no-bid decision process, you risk spreading resources too thin.
Qualification complexity
Meeting all eligibility requirements can be challenging, especially if you're new to public sector tendering. Common requirements include:
- Specific certifications (ISO standards, Cyber Essentials)
- Minimum insurance levels
- Financial thresholds (turnover, credit ratings)
- Track record evidence (case studies, references)
The key is qualifying opportunities early. Understanding the buyer's history, incumbent suppliers, and your competitive position helps you invest time where it counts.
Where to find open tenders in the UK
Several portals publish open tenders in the UK. Here are the main ones:
- Contracts Finder: UK government opportunities above £12,000 for central government or £30,000 for other public bodies
- Find a Tender Service: Higher-value public contracts that meet procurement thresholds
- Public Contracts Scotland: Scottish public sector opportunities
- Sell2Wales: Welsh public sector opportunities
- eTendersNI: Northern Ireland public sector opportunities
- Buyer websites: Individual authority procurement pages
- Framework portals: Call-offs from established agreements like G-Cloud or Crown Commercial Service frameworks
The challenge is that opportunities are scattered across all of these sources. Checking each portal daily is tedious, and missing a deadline means missing the opportunity entirely.
Track open tenders from 1,000+ portals in one feed with Stotles
How to qualify an open tender before bidding
Not every open tender deserves your time. A structured qualification process helps you focus on winnable opportunities rather than chasing everything that appears.
Consider these factors before committing to a bid:
- Eligibility fit: Do you meet mandatory requirements like certifications, insurance levels, and financial thresholds?
- Technical capability: Can you deliver what the buyer wants with your current resources and expertise?
- Competitive position: What's your track record with this buyer or similar contracts? Is there an entrenched incumbent?
- Resource availability: Do you have capacity to prepare a strong bid and deliver the contract if you win?
- Commercial viability: Does the opportunity align with your pricing expectations and margin requirements?
Accessing buyer history, competitor insights, and contract award data helps you make these decisions faster. The goal is to spend your time on bids you're genuinely positioned to win.
Track open tenders from a single platform
Searching multiple portals manually takes hours every week. Every hour spent trawling Contracts Finder, Find a Tender, and buyer websites is an hour not spent on strategy or bid writing.
Stotles aggregates open tenders from over 1,000 portals into one tailored feed. You set your criteria once, and relevant opportunities come to you with daily alerts. No more missed deadlines or irrelevant results cluttering your inbox.
Access is free, with no limits on the tenders you can view.
FAQs about open tenders
What is a tender application?
A tender application is your formal response to an invitation to tender. It includes your proposed solution, pricing, and all required documentation, submitted before the deadline. Think of it as your pitch for the contract.
What is the difference between open tender and limited tender?
An open tender allows any qualified supplier to bid on a publicly advertised opportunity. A limited tender restricts participation to a shortlist of pre-approved or invited suppliers, reducing competition but also reducing the buyer's evaluation workload.
How long does an open tender procurement process typically take?
Timelines vary by contract value and complexity. Suppliers typically have two to six weeks to prepare submissions, followed by evaluation and award periods that can stretch from weeks to months for larger contracts.
Can small businesses respond to open tenders?
Yes. Open tendering is designed to give all qualified suppliers equal access to opportunities, including SMEs and businesses new to the public sector. Many buyers actively encourage bids from smaller suppliers.
What documents are typically required for an open tender submission?
Common requirements include company registration details, technical proposals, pricing schedules, relevant certifications, insurance certificates, financial statements, and compliance declarations. The tender documents will specify exactly what's needed for each opportunity.
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