There’s absolutely nothing wrong with ambition, so if you have your sights set on international procurement, all you need is a good strategy. A good strategy, sound knowledge of the international market, and, of course, a stellar product or service.
In this post, we’re going to look at the international procurement market and how you can optimise the opportunities available to drive your business forward.
Why International Tenders Are the Next Step for Growth
There are billions of pounds worth of global contracts out there, but the companies currently occupying the space are mostly large enterprises. It’s not that there aren’t small or lower-value contracts on offer, it’s that SMEs in the UK aren’t aware of the new business opportunities available.
Those that have thought about going international, often think twice because it seems like such a big leap. The thing is, research has found that entering the international procurement market with new projects is actually lower risk than B2C exporting. That’s food for thought, right there.
What Types of Global Opportunities Exist?
There are many types of global opportunities, many of which you’ll be familiar with from the UK public procurement market.
For example:
- Healthcare, particularly medical equipment and IT services.
- Education, particularly skills training, and eLearning opportunities.
- Construction and infrastructure
- Sustainability, ESG, and green tech
- ICT, particularly cybersecurity and software
Where to Find International Government Contracts
There are many options available when you’re looking for suitable international government contracts. Numerous websites now consolidate global tender opportunities and bid management tools , making it easier to find relevant leads without having to visit multiple sources. Here are a few:
UK Sources
Department for Business and Trade: Search Export Opportunities
Examples of contracts available
- Jamaica: Software Packages and Information Systems
- Trinidad and Tobago: Rehabilitation and Upgrade of Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Hong Kong: Paramedic Training System (software)
Crown Commercial Service (International Frameworks): Search Agreements
Contract example:
- International Recruitment of Clinical Healthcare Professionals
European Portals
Tenders Electronic Daily (TED)
TED is an EU public procurement platform: Search TED
Examples of contracts available:
- Germany: Health and Social Work Services – Skills Development for Ghanaian Pharmaceutical Sector
- Romania: Office and Computing Machinery, Equipment and Suppliers (except furniture and software packages)
- Czechia: Repair and Maintenance Services of Medical and Precision Equipment
Global Sources
United Nations Global Marketplace (UNGM): Search Procurement Opportunities
Examples of contracts available:
- Jamaica: National Gender and Safeguards Specialist
- Malaysia: MSME Business Development Service Provider
World Bank Group Procurement: Search Notices, Products, or Plans
Examples of contracts available:
- Uzbekistan: Modernisation and Upgrade of Main Grid Substations
- Turkey: Procurement of Content Delivery Network Service
SAM.GOV: Official Government System (US)
Single Access with Supply2Gov
Supply2Gov uses a pay-as-you-grow system that enables you to upgrade your package as your business evolves and your growth potential increases.
As you go up the ladder, you’ll find that contracts can become more demanding. We counter this by providing additional guides and services for you to continue to navigate global procurement with confidence.
You can rest assured that when you’re ready to take on the world, Supply2Gov will be there with all the tools and support you need to search and bid on global tenders, paving the way for success.
How to Scale with International Tendering (Step-by-Step)
Let’s look at how you can lay the groundwork for a successful venture into international procurement.
Step 1 – Start Locally
You must walk before you can run, so you must have a good (successful) background in UK procurement. The more wins you have, the greater your credibility. However, you don’t necessarily need a lot of wins, provided your contract delivery is of a high calibre, with glowing testimonials.
Step 2 – Upgrade for Wider Access
Once you’ve got a few local contracts under your belt, move up the ladder to country-wide tender. Then up to tenders in the UK and Republic of Ireland (S2G has the biggest database of contracts than the government). Then EU tenders.
It’s a good idea to stick around EU procurement for a while because you can get to grips with cross-border procurement laws, including regulations, compliance, multi-currency management, and international tax laws.
Remember, you have to comply with all regulations in the UK and the target country, so you need excellent research and training on how to work within the rules, while optimising business opportunities.
Note:
Government buyers globally have three of the same underlying procurement principles:
- Value
- Compliance
- Delivery
Sticking to these in the international procurement process will go a long way to helping you win global tenders.
Step 3 – Identify Target Markets
Supply2Gov enables you to narrow your contract search by sector (health), country (Germany), and contract type (framework).
Step 4 – Prepare to Export
Use our guides to translate tender documents and understand local regulations. It’s also a good idea, especially when just starting out globally, to use export support agencies and bodies. The Department for Business and Trade is the primary support body, but there are trade and industry associations that can help you cross borders.
Step 5 – Bid Strategically
Use the same assessment or evaluation methods for global contracts as you do for UK or local markets. You’re looking for the best fit. You can get advice from partners with international experience or local agents.
What Makes You Globally Tender-Ready?
You know you’re tender-ready when you’ve got your various documents, support documents and case studies ready. For example:
- Proof of delivery (previous successful contracts)
- Compliance certificates
- Export experience (if you have it) or similar contracts in local public procurement or even private sector procurement.
- ISO standards, especially data security private data privacy
- Multilingual assets (if you have any)
- Case studies from UK contracts as global proof points
Being globally tender-ready ensures your clients are satisfied and positions your business to submit as a reliable partner for international contracts.
Best Practices for International Tenders
Succeeding in the global tender market requires more than just ambition—it demands a strategic approach and a deep understanding of international procurement. Start by researching how you will operate in your target markets, learning about local regulations, and adapting your bid to meet cultural and legal expectations. Using a comprehensive database of international tenders and a user-friendly interface can give your business quick access to relevant tender details, helping you focus on the most promising opportunities.
To stay ahead of the competition, prioritise high-potential tenders, tailor your proposals to each market, and leverage local expertise when possible. By following these best practices, your business can expand its reach, win international contracts, and unlock new growth opportunities.
Benefits of Upgrading Supply2Gov for International Success
Supply2Gov is rich in resources for anyone interested in international procurement. You can unlock access to our resources that provide:
- Access to 50+ across the EU and globally
- Advanced filtering to narrow your search criteria
- The ability to save searches and notices, helping you save time and stay ahead of new opportunities
- Tender documentation tracking, so you always know where you are in the supplier selection process
- In-platform and email alerts when relevant contracts are published
Free vs. Premium: What’s the Difference?
Compare free and premium packages and get an idea of what you should be looking for.
| Free | Premium UK |
| Local alerts | National contracts |
| EU & global tenders | |
| Sector filtering | Sector filtering |
| Document access | Document access |
Start Scaling Now
The international procurement market is ripe for the picking. Start scaling your business now by registering for free to test the local area. Explore the features available in international upgrades and book a call with an international advisor to get tender-ready.