Contracts Finder vs Find a Tender: What UK SMEs Need to Know

What changed on 24 February 2025

Historically, under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Find a Tender carried higher-value (above-threshold) notices and buyers in England published lower-value opportunities and awards on Contracts Finder.

Under the current regime, for procurements starting on or after 24 February 2025 under the Procurement Act 2023, both above- and below-threshold notices are published on Find a Tender, except below-threshold notices in Scotland.

Why Contracts Finder still matters

Find a Tender explains that procurements published under earlier legislation continue to use the notice types — and platforms — of those rules. Contracts Finder therefore still contains information on older procurements and their later notices.

The lower-value thresholds

The below-threshold publication levels are £12,000 including VAT for central government bodies and £30,000 including VAT for other contracting authorities, as stated on Find a Tender. GOV.UK guidance confirms the £30,000 (including VAT) level for local authorities was retained under the Act. Thresholds can change, so always check the current figures on GOV.UK.

What this means in practice

Make Find a Tender your primary search. Check Contracts Finder only when following a procurement that began before February 2025, and use Public Contracts Scotland for lower-value Scottish opportunities.