Every financial year, central government authorities publish eighteenth-month commercial pipelines, detailing upcoming contracts anticipated to exceed the value of £2m. In October 2023, Stotles analysed the commercial pipelines of sixteen Central Government authorities.

Since releasing that analysis, eleven of these authorities have updated their pipelines, revealing 320 digital contracts suppliers can target across 2024/25.

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This report will help you navigate these commercial pipelines to easily identify relevant digital opportunities. Read ahead to:

• Identify upcoming digital contracts: Filter central government pipelines by keyword to quickly spot relevant opportunities. [GATE]
• Explore top buyers: Dive deeper into digital spending plans, investment priorities and framework preferences for top central authorities.
• Build and qualify your pipeline: Identify contracts under the £2m threshold and qualify opportunities with historical procurement data.

We have created an interactive search tool below, containing all 320 digital opportunities mentioned within these eleven Central Government pipeline plans, with procurement dates set for 2024/25.

Search by keyword to quickly identify and qualify the most relevant opportunities for your company.

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Begin your sales planning by searching for relevant contracts above. Then, sign up to the Stotles platform to save time and track activity related to the contracts and the attached buyers for free.

All upcoming digital contracts mentioned across these commercial pipelines are revealed in this table. Use this tool as your starting point to find future contracts from these buyers.

• For SMEs: Focus on opportunities in the £2-20m range to maximise your chances of success. These opportunities are less likely to be pursued by enterprise suppliers.
• For mid-market and enterprise suppliers: Contracts valued over £20m may be more lucrative, but they come with higher competition. To get ahead of the competition use Stotles' curated strategy documents tool to gain a deeper context of buyer activity.

Focusing on individual contracts is one way to find and qualify opportunities for your upcoming sales pipeline. Another way to approach it is by focusing on top buyer activity.

For suppliers wanting to work with specific central government organisations, or for those who have existing clients, understanding their unique pipeline will set you apart from the competition.

To help you understand which of the eleven central government authorities provide the greatest opportunities in 2024/25, we ranked each buyer by the value of the digital contracts within their commercial pipeline in the bar chart below.

In the section below, we highlight key trends for the top eight buyer's procurement plans to provide you with more specific insights. We exclude the SLC, the DHSC and the DCMS because they have provided limited data.

For each of these eight authorities, we highlight:

• Digital spending plans
• Top framework agreements
• Departmental investment priorities

These buyers are listed below by the value of their digital pipeline. You can use the content bar to navigate to the most relevant buyer of interest.

The HO is the ministerial department that is responsible for immigration, security and law & order in the UK.

Digital spending plans:

• Published on 19th January 2024, the HO's total commercial pipeline for 2024/25 includes 63 contracts with a total value of £2.9b.
• Of this total, 56% of these contracts worth a combined £1.6b are headed towards digital suppliers.
• The average contract value of upcoming digital opportunities is £60.3m

Top framework agreements:

The HO’s commercial pipeline reveals indicators of their favoured routes to market for future digital contracts.

• 9 contracts are planned to be awarded through frameworks.
• 11 contracts are not yet decided on their route to market.

• CCS frameworks are commonly used, being listed 5 times.

In the table below, we've displayed the HO's favoured routes to market, based on data available in their commercial pipeline.

Departmental investment priorities:

Within the commercial pipeline, the HO reveals the department set to benefit from each contract. By understanding the departments the digital service is intended for, you can closely align your bid with the buyer's intent.

• Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) is responsible for procuring 12 digital contracts in the HO's digital pipeline for 2024/25.
• The Emergency Services Mobile Connections Programme (ESMCP) follows with 10 digital contracts coming to market in 2024/25.
• If you are a digital or telophony supplier, we recommend tracking these departments' activity with Stotles to be the first to know when an opportunity hits the market and stay ahead of your competition.

In the chart below, we provide a visualised breakdown of the HO's investment priorities by ranking how many contracts will be procured for each department in 2024/25.

HMRC is responsible for the UK's tax, payments and customs, collecting money that pays for the country's public services.

Digital spending plans:

• Published on 26th October 2023, HMRC's commercial pipeline includes 53 contracts worth a total of £2b expected to come to market in 2024/25.
• 58% of these contracts, worth £1b, are headed towards digital suppliers with an average contract value of £34m.

Top framework agreements:

HMRC's commercial pipeline update reveals indicators of their favoured routes to market for future digital contracts.

• HMRC plans to procure 80% of all digital contracts in 2024/25 through framework agreements.
• Their pipeline does not reveal specific frameworks they will procure through. To learn more about what frameworks they are using, visit the frameworks module in your Stotles account.

In the table below we visualise HMRC's preferred routes to market.

Departmental investment priorities:

HMRC commercial pipeline does not reveal which departments each contract is intended for.

To learn more about this buyer's historical investment preferences, visit their buyer profile in the Stotles app.

The MoD is responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security.

Digital spending plans:

• Published on 30th April 2024, the MoD's commercial pipeline reveals 332 contracts worth a combined total £14.1b are expected to come to market in 2024/25.
• 24% of these contracts worth £860.5m are headed towards digital suppliers in 2024/25.
• The average value of the digital contracts coming to market in 2024/25 is £12.7m.

Top framework agreements:

The MoD commercial pipeline update reveals the most popular framework agreements it plans to procure through.

• The MoD plans to procure 60% of digital contracts expected to come to market in 2024/25 on framework.
• Technology Products and Associated Services 2 and Technology Services 3 indicate tech CCS Frameworks are favoured for the MoD’s future digital procurement.

In the table below we present the top-ranked routes to market stated in the MoD commercial pipeline.

Departmental investment priorities:

Within the commercial pipeline, the MoD reveal the authority department set to benefit from each contract. By understanding what contract is being sourced from where, you can closely align your bid with the buyer's intent.

• Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defence Digital (DD) lead the way in total spending with pipeline values of £311.7m and £309.6m.
• The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) plans to issue the most tenders with 31 contracts totalling £45.1m expected to come to market in 2024/25.

In the chart below, we provide a visualised breakdown of the MoD's investment priorities in terms of total contracts being issued.

The MoJ is a ministerial government department that is at the heart of the justice system. Supported by 35 agencies and public departments, the MoJ is responsible for delivering a world-class Justice system to the UK.

Digital spending plan:

• Published on 25th April 2024, the MoJ's commercial pipeline includes 125 contracts worth a combined £12.7b set to come to market in 2024/25.
• 31% of these contracts totalling up to £436.9m are headed towards digital suppliers.
• The average value of the digital contracts coming to market in 2024/25 is £11.2m.

Top framework agreements:

The MoJ’s commercial pipeline reveals the most popular commercial agreements they will use to procure future digital contracts.

• The data reveals that 89% of these upcoming digital contracts will be awarded through framework.
• Based on the data within the pipeline plan, call off contracts from CCS frameworks are the most popular intended route to market.

In the table below, we've ranked the top 6 frameworks referenced in the MoJ's digital pipeline plan.

Departmental investment priorities:

Within the commercial pipeline, the MoJ reveal the authority department set to benefit from each contract. By understanding the departments the digital service is intended for, you can closely align your bid with the buyer's intent.

• Unsurprisingly the central MoJ head department is listed as being the responsible department for 53% of all upcoming digital contracts.
• HMCTS and HMPPS departments combine to make up 43% of total upcoming digital procurement so suppliers include them in their analysis.

See below for a visualised breakdown of the MoJ's investment priorities.

The DfT is responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Digital spending plans:

• Published on 25th April 2024, the DfT's total commercial pipeline includes 55 contracts worth £5.1b set to be published within 2024/2025.
• 56% of these contracts, worth £395m, are headed towards digital contracts.
• The average value of the digital contracts coming to market in 2024/25 is £12.7m.

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Top framework agreements:

The DfT's commercial pipeline reveals the most popular commercial agreements they will use to procure future digital contracts.

• 70% of all digital contracts in 2024/25 through framework agreements.
• G-Cloud, Technology Services 2 and DoS6 are the DfT's most favoured frameworks for future contracts.

In the table below, we've ranked the top 6 frameworks referenced in the DfT's digital pipeline plan.

Departmental investment priorities:

Within the commercial pipeline, the DfT reveal the authority department set to benefit from each contract. By understanding the departments the digital service is intended for, you can closely align your bid with the buyer's intent.

• The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is the top Department in terms of upcoming spending with a total pipeline value of £192m.
• The Department for Transport Central (DfTC) follows as the next most invested in department, with a total pipeline of £110m.

In the chart below, we provide a visualised breakdown of the DfT's investment priorities in terms of how many contracts are expected to come to market in 2024/25.

The DfE is responsible for children’s services and education, including early years, schools, higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England.

Digital spending plans:

• Published on 25th April 2024, the DfE's commercial pipeline reveals 40 contracts worth a combined £998m are expected to come to market in 2024/25.
• 78% of these contracts worth £385.2m are headed towards digital suppliers.
• The average value of the digital contracts coming to market in 2024/25 is £12.4m.

Top framework agreements:

The commercial pipeline doesn't give any visibility into what frameworks the DfE will procure through.

Using Stotles, suppliers are able to view the DfE's historical procurement strategies to predict what frameworks will be used in their commercial pipeline.

The DWP is a government department in the United Kingdom responsible for welfare and pension policy, aiming to provide financial support, promote employment, and ensure the well-being of vulnerable groups in society.

Digital spending plan:

• Published on the 7th February 2024, the DWP's total commercial pipeline updated 122 contracts worth a combined £6.2b.
• 30 digital contracts are expected to come to market in 2024/25 worth a combined total £280.4m.
• The average value of the digital contracts coming to market in 2024/25 is £9.3m.

Top framework agreements:

• 87% of these upcoming digital contracts will be procured on framework.
• Iterations of G-Cloud are clearly preferred but the buyer’s procurement strategies are quite varied with 9 different types of frameworks being referenced and 9 contracts yet to be confirmed.

The graph below highlights the DWP's preferred routes to market.

Departmental investment priorities:

The DWP does not disclose which departments it is investing in within its commercial pipeline.

To learn more about this buyer’s historical investment preferences to predict which government buyers are set to become active in 2024/25, visit their buyer profile in the Stotles app.

The DLUHC is a UK government department that is responsible for overseeing local government, housing, and community-related policies.

Digital spending plans:

• Published on the 23rd February 2024, the DLUHC commercial pipeline revealed 38 contracts worth a total £398m.
• Of this total, 58% digital contracts are expected to come to market in 2024/25 worth a total £194.5m
• The average value of the digital contracts coming to market in 2024/25 is £8.8m.

Top framework agreements:

The commercial pipeline reveals the most popular frameworks that the DLUHC plans to use in its 2024/25 procurement strategy.

• The DLUHC plans to procure 90% of its upcoming digital contracts through frameworks.
• G-Cloud 13 and Digital Specialists and Programmes are strongly preferred with 50% of all upcoming digital opportunities procured on these frameworks.

In the table below we present the top ranked routes to market that are stated in the DLUHC commercial pipeline.

Departmental investment priorities:

The DLUHC does not disclose which departments it is investing in within its commercial pipeline.

To learn more about this buyer’s historical investment preferences, visit their buyer profile in the Stotles app.

After using the tactics above to identify potential contracts revealed in commercial pipeline plans, we recommend implementing the following strategies to help expand and qualify your central government sales pipeline.

Authorities are not required to disclose future contracts under £2m in their commercial pipelines. Therefore, these future opportunities are not visible in the sections above.

To identify these smaller, competitive opportunities, our customers use the Stotles platform to execute these three proactive tactics:

1. Pinpoint expiring contracts matching company keywords: Use Stotles to find awarded contracts that mention your company's keywords and are expiring in the next 6-12 months. These contracts may present renewal or re-procurement opportunities to add to your pipeline.
2. Target competitors' contract expiries: View your competitors' contracts on Stotles to see which are nearing expiry. From there, you can begin positioning yourself as the preferred supplier for future renewals and re-procurements.
3. Identify partnership opportunities: Target suppliers already embedded in Central Government authorities who offer complementary services. Their expiring contracts might indicate future collaboration opportunities.

Once you identify a relevant opportunity and understood the buyer's procurement plans, you should perform further due diligence before writing your bid.

We recommend taking 3 key qualification steps:

1. Identify previous suppliers: Research the incumbent or previous supplier using Stotles. Supplier data can help you learn the buyer's appetite for similar services and shed light on how much they have spent in the past.
2. Understand the buyer's procurement requirements: Research the supplier requirements listed in similar historical contracts the buyer has procured. That way, you can qualify quickly whether or not you are prepared for the bid.
3. Engage with key decision makers: Bypass procurement contacts and go directly to the source making decisions on the specific contract. With Stotles contact information, you can begin direct, proactive outreach to get ahead of the competition.

This report aggregates pipeline contract information from the following eleven central government authorities, accessed on 01/05/2024:

• The Home Office (HO)
• His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD)
• The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
• The Department For Transport (DfT)
• The Department for Education (DfE)
• The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC)
• Department for Health and Social Care
• Department for Science and IT
• Deprtment for Culture, Media and Sport

These authorities were required to publish these documents by April 2024, and detail all contracts anticipated to exceed £2m for the following eighteen months. This information was accessed and aggregated on 01/05/2024. Please note that other ministerial bodies or departments may have since published datasets that are not included in this report.

While we have strived for accuracy in our data collection and analysis, please be aware that the information in this report is based on manual data collection available at the time of analysis. As such, we cannot guarantee that the data is free from errors or omissions. We recommend diving deeper into the source documents before formalising your strategy based off this contract information.

This Stotles report analysed UK central government procurement pipelines, identifying over 320 digital contracts up for grabs in 2024/2025. With over £5.4b on the table, the Home Office, HMRC, and the Ministry of Defence were identified as buyers with the largest digital spending plans.

To take the next steps in your central government journey, sign up to Stotles and access curated strategy documents, partner & competitor mapping, framework intelligence and much more. To accelerate your public sector sales, start building your pipeline in Stotles with the links below.