Procurement at MHCLG
Information about procurement at MHCLG and for those looking to become a supplier or contractor.
The Procurement Act 2023
Public procurement has changed. On 24 February 2025, the rules that shape how public bodies buy goods and services changed. The Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) improves and streamlines the way procurement is done and benefit prospective suppliers of all sizes, particularly small businesses, start-ups, and social enterprises.
If your business supplies goods, works or services to organisations in the public or utility sectors – or hopes to do so in the future – you need to know about the changes. This includes supplying to MHCLG, other government departments, the NHS, local authorities, universities, schools, social housing organisations, police and fire and rescue services and utility companies.
To learn more about these changes including further reading and learning, please visit The Procurement Act: A short guide for suppliers and The Official Transforming Public Procurement Knowledge Drops.
MHCLG procurement
The MHCLG procurement team are responsible for high-value procurements valued above £12,000 inclusive of VAT. This means any procurements subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015), the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), and our commitments under the World Trade Organisation’s Government Procurement agreement (GPA) are managed centrally.
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) may on occasion manage procurements for common goods and services on behalf of MHCLG, such as ICT, consultancy, office solutions or communications.
MHCLG primarily sources through Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks as our first choice sourcing strategy, including framework agreements. More information about CCS, its frameworks and how to become a supplier can be found on the CCS website.
From 1 April 2026, CCS will become part of the Government Commercial Agency (GCA), so references to CCS will reflect this change going forward.
Contract opportunities
We are committed to providing visibility of contracting opportunities to interested organisations. Under the Procurement Act 2023, the department now publishes Pipeline Notices for anticipated procurements valued at £2 million or more. These notices are published on the Find a Tender Service and provide a forward look at potential opportunities, including the expected procurement route where known.
In addition to Pipeline Notices, the department may publish Planned Procurement Notices and Pre-Market Engagement Notices on the Find a Tender Service to provide further visibility of upcoming opportunities.
This information is provided in good faith and is based on our best available information. It does not commit us to either procure the goods or services identified, use the identified route nor maintain the indicative timetables provided.
Previously, procurement notices were split between:
- Contracts Finder: for contracts valued between £12,000 and the relevant threshold, commonly £135,018 for goods and services (inclusive of VAT).
- Find a Tender Service (FTS): for contracts above the relevant threshold, commonly £135,018 for goods and services (inclusive of VAT).
Now, under the Procurement Act 2023, both above and below threshold notices (i.e., everything above £12,000) are published on Find a Tender service.
This means that Find a Tender now covers all regulated procurement notices above £12,000 (inclusive of VAT), consolidating what was previously split between two platforms.
Use of the Find a Tender Service
MHCLG uses the Find a Tender Service to publish procurement notices in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023. This platform is the primary location for publishing Pipeline Notices, Planned Procurement Notices, Pre-Market Engagement Notices, Contract Award Notices and Contract Performance Notices. The Find a Tender Service improves transparency and accessibility by providing a single, centralised location for suppliers and stakeholders to view procurement information. Suppliers are encouraged to regularly check the platform for updates and opportunities.
Bidding for MHCLG opportunities
Where MHCLG seeks tender responses to opportunities it has advertised on the Find a Tender Service, bidders will be required to submit responses via the Departments electronic sourcing portal. Bidders must register their details to access these bidding opportunities. This, along with guides of the system can be found at the MHCLG Supplier Portal.
In addition to the MHCLG Supplier Portal, some procurement opportunities may require suppliers to engage via the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Supplier Portal, particularly where frameworks or arrangements managed by CCS are used. Bidders should review each notice carefully to determine the correct portal for submission and ensure they are registered on the appropriate platform to access all relevant opportunities.
Delivering social value through contracts
MHCLG is committed to generating outcomes from its contracts that support the communities it serves. Procurement opportunities include a requirement for bidders to provide social value within their tender responses. Tender documents explain how social value will be evaluated, which consider the Social Value Model and relevant Procurement Policy Notes. The department considers each contract requirement against the Social Value Model to determine the most appropriate outcomes. Bidders whose offers are accepted are expected to deliver the declared social value outcomes and seek to maximise their impact in positive ways within the communities served and across the United Kingdom.
Sustainable procurement
The Greening Government Commitments covering the period from 2021 to 2025 include a sustainable procurement commitment requiring departments to report on their actions around sustainable developments.
MHCLG is committed to buying ‘greener’ products and services and aim to incorporate sustainable development into our thinking and our actions.
Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
The government recognises the important role of SMEs in delivering UK economic growth and prosperity.
In MHCLG, we encourage SMEs to bid for departmental business. We monitor the level of business SMEs receive from us by tracking direct contract awards. The Cabinet Office has published guidance of government measures to promote SME procurement and spend on direct and indirect SMEs. SMEs: A guide to working with government on GOV.UK.
Transparency in procurement
The department uses a suite of standard contract terms depending on the value and risk profile of the requirement. These are designed to be clear, proportionate, and accessible for suppliers.
| Contract Value (incl. VAT) | Terms and conditions | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £12,000 | Low Value Terms for purchases up to £12,000 inclusive of VAT, typically used with our purchase order form | Low Value T&Cs |
| £12,000 - £135,018 | Short Form Terms for contracts between £12,000 and £135,018 inclusive of VAT. It may be appropriate to use short form terms for non-complex requirements over £135k. | Short Form T&Cs |
| £135,018 -£20 million | Mid-Tier Terms for contracts between £135,018 and £20 million inclusive of VAT. | Mid-Tier Core Terms |
| Over £20 million | Model Services Contract for contracts over £20 million or where the complexity requires the Cabinet Office standard. | Model Services Contract Core Terms |
These terms ensure consistency and compliance with government procurement policy while remaining proportionate to the size and risk of the contract.
Where procurement is conducted through a Framework Agreement, Dynamic Purchasing System or Dynamic Market, the terms and conditions of those mechanisms will apply.
Contract information
Details of contracts that MHCLG awards are published on Find a Tender Service.
Contract Performance information is published by MHCLG in line with our legal or policy obligations.
This will be published either as part of central Government publications on contract performance every quarter for contracts placed under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 or Concessions Contract Regulations 2016. That information is available at the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for government’s most important contracts page on Gov.UK.
For contracts awarded under the PA23 and the Procurement Regulations 2024, contract performance will be reported through the Find a Tender Service.
Information on departmental spend by MHCLG is available at Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: departmental spending over £25,000 on Gov.UK.
Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs)
MHCLG applies appropriate procurement policy as set out in the Cabinet Office’s Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs). These notes provide guidance on key areas such as transparency, carbon reduction, and prompt payment practices. The latest PPNs can be found on the GOV.UK Procurement Policy Notes page.
Privacy notices
The explains how the department collects and uses personal data during procurement and contract management. It covers what data we need, why we need it, who we share it with, and your rights. We are committed to keeping your information secure and transparent. Read the notice to know how your data is handled and who to contact with questions or concerns.
Spend controls
The Cabinet Office operates spending controls for particular categories that help government departments reduce wasteful expenditure. Read information on these controls and the thresholds that apply.
Contact
You can contact us at this address:
The Procurement Team
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF