The public sector market is becoming increasingly lucrative with annual spending in the region of £350 billion. Contract value varies from less than £12,000 to many millions, which enables businesses of all sizes, including charitable organisations to participate in the market.
Current trends influencing decisions include green investment (anything that works towards net zero), digital transformation (updating or replacing legacy systems), and healthcare (equipment and anything that enhances operations).
As you can imagine, the range of public sector tenders is vast. Too vast to set up general tender alerts on your eTendering platform. That’s why platforms provide filters for you to narrow your search criteria. This enables you to drill down into specific categories and subcategories, for example, dentistry and orthodontics.
You can also filter other categories, like location, type of contract (framework agreement, DPS, open), and value. Supply2Gov’s platform has tools that accelerate the category selection process, so you can drill down almost to a microlevel for super niche tender alerts.
Why Category Targeting Matters
CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) codes are part of a standardised classification system that clearly states the precise nature of tender opportunities, including specific products, services or works. The codes apply to procurement in the UK and across borders into EU member states.
The codes, which are rather long, look complicated, but they’re not really. They break down like this:
- The first two numbers represent the industry
- The first three numbers identify groups within the industry
- The first four represent classes within the group.
- Further refinement drills down to specific products or services
Here’s an example of public contracts using the CPV code 35000000.
- 35000000: Security, firefighting, police, and defence equipment
- 35100000: Emergency and security equipment
- 35120000: Surveillance and security systems and devices
- 35125000: Surveillance system
- 35125300: Security cameras
Why Are CPV Codes So Important When Bidding On Public Sector Contracts?
There are several reasons.
- They provide clarity and ensure transparency.
- You can take advantage of cross-border procurement opportunities.
- They speed up tender searches because they are so specific – exact matches.
- Tender descriptions are accurate. There’s no ambiguity and no chance of misunderstanding.
CPV codes are important for all suppliers and buyers, but they can perhaps be most useful for SMEs that provide niche services. They don’t waste time bidding on public sector contracts that are sort of relevant but not quite. Instead, they get exact math alerts, so they can pour their energy and resources into the bids that are more likely to result in success.
The great news for suppliers registered on our platform is that our system supports searches refined by category filters.
The Top 10 Most Lucrative Tender Categories in 2025
If you want to break into public sector procurement, it’s a good idea to target the most lucrative categories. Yes, competition is fierce, especially from central government contracts but there are excellent opportunities for SMEs, consortiums, subcontractors, and larger business enterprises. We’re going to look at 10 of the best categories where you can make a start.
1) Construction & Infrastructure
Construction and infrastructure is a pretty wide category, containing a diverse range of services. For example, construction includes:
- New builds (residential, commercial, and industrial)
- Refurbishment
- Installation of HVAC systems
- Plumbing
Infrastructure includes:
- Roads and railways
- Water and utilities
- Bridges and tunnels
If you want to know just how lucrative construction is, take a look at one of the most recent projects.
| London Gatwick Airport – Northern Runway | Civil Engineering | South East | October 2025 | £2,200,000,000 (£2.2 billion) |
2) IT & Digital Transformation
Digital transformation is one of the government’s biggest priorities this year. So, any product or service that upgrades, integrates, digitises, and migrates is in demand.
For example:
- Digitisation consulting
- Migration to the cloud
- Software implementation
- AI and automation
- Data analytics
- Cyber security (very important)
An example of a recent contract:
| DDAT Outcomes: Data Access (Transformation) Services | CPV 72000000 IT services: Consulting Software Development, Internet, and Support | NHS England, Leeds | 16 May 2026 – 15 May 2029. (Possible extension to 15 May 2031)
| £20,000,000 – £24,000,000 (£20 million – £24 million) |
3) Healthcare & Medical Supplies
Healthcare and medical supplies have always been in demand, but demand has increased since Covid-19 knocked the world for a loop. PPE and cleaning services are good choices, and so is anything to do with medical equipment, especially equipment that enhances remote healthcare.
For example:
- Community care
- Mental health
- Dentistry
- Advanced medical procedures and equipment
A recent contract:
| Occupational Health Services for University Students | Birmingham City University | 14 July 2025 | £4.1 million |
4) Facilities Management & Cleaning
Facilities management is about the maintenance and management of buildings, systems, and certain aspects of the internal and physical environment, kind of like caretakers. It’s divided into hard and soft services.
Hard services:
- Building and systems maintenance
- Lift maintenance
- Implementing energy efficient and sustainable solutions
- HVAC systems maintenance
Soft services:
- Cleaning services
- Landscaping
- Compliance with health and safety regulations
- Security services
Specific roles
Here are some examples of the roles in facilities management.
- Core cleaning
- Waste management and recycling
- Reception
- Janitorial services
- Equipment maintenance
- Pest control
Recent contracts include:
| Facilities Management and Workplace Services (DPS) | Buyer: Minister for the Cabinet Office through CCS | Any region | Deadline: 23 February 2029 | £750 million |
5) Education & Training Services
Education and training is a big umbrella term for many, many services and roles that can be accessed through a contracts finder service . It covers formal schooling, vocational training, higher education, ongoing professional development, and specific staff training, for example, new software or enhanced operational systems.
For example:
- Nursery worker
- Special education needs teacher
- Educational medical health practitioner
- Teaching laboratory technician
- School librarian
- Careers advisor
- Disability advisor
- Environmental education officer
- Sports coach
As you can see, the roles are very varied.
Recent contract
| Teaching and Learning Resources (including Assessment Materials) | Any region | Deadline 25 July 2025 | £50 million |
6) Professional Services (Legal, HR, Audit)
Professional services is another umbrella term that covers a range of roles. Essentially, they include advice and specialised services, for example
- Auditor
- Financial advisor
- Consultant (various)
- Attorney
- IT specialists
- Marketer
An example of a professional services contract:
| Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) | CPV: 72590000: Computer-related Professional services
| NHS Leeds | 30 April 2026 – 30 April 2030 | £10 million |
For each of the 10 categories:
- Category title
- Description of services included
- Example recent high-value contracts
7) Transport & Logistics
Transport and logistics tend to go hand-in-hand. Logistics has to do with the flow of products (or people), usually starting with planning then implementing and monitoring. Transport, obviously, moves products (or people) from point A to point B.
Types of roles and services:
- Transport planners
- Mechanics
- Warehouse operatives
- Security
- Sales and marketing
- HGV drivers
An example of a recent contract:
| United Kingdom: London: National Security, Science, and Research (NSSR) Successor Contract | Research and Development | Department for Transport | Published: 11 July 2025 | £16 million |
8) Energy, Environment & Net Zero Projects
The energy and environment sector in the UK is experiencing a surge as the country works to meet its net zero goal by 2030. Alternative energy, low-energy, and green tech are coming to the fore, especially when it comes to sustainability in business operations.
Services include:
- Environmental impact assessments
- Energy audits
- Installation and systems maintenance
- Waste collection and recycling
- Site decommissioning
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Example of a recent contract
| Soft Market Test for LEVI-Funded Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure | IT Equipment, Systems, and Services | Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority | Published: 9 July 2025 | £5.4 million |
9) Security Services
Security services are necessary to protect goods, people, businesses, buildings, events, and spaces in both the private and public sectors. They can be manned or technical.
For example:
- Manned guarding
- Static guarding (at a fixed point, like entry gates)
- Close protection (bodyguards)
- CCTV installation and monitoring
- Consultancy
A recent contract
| Provision of Site and Event Security Services | CPV: 79710000: Security Services | Leicestershire County Council | Deadline: 17 June 2026 | £100 million |
10) Consultancy & Business Support
Consultants are typically called in when a business or public sector body needs expert advice not available in-house. An outsider’s perspective can see solutions to increase productivity, overcome challenges, improve service quality, and implement business transformation strategies. Consultants are found in almost every field you can think of.
For example:
- Strategy consulting
- Management consulting
- Operations consulting
- HR consulting
- Financial advisory
- Technology consulting
According to Consultancy.uk, there are more than 200 fields of expertise.
Here’s a recent contract.
| Framework for Lift and Escalator Consultancy Advice and Surveys | CPV code: 794111000 – General Management Consultancy Services | Network Rail Infrastructure Limited | Deadline: 2 June 2026 | £4.8 million |
How to Win in These Categories
We’ve taken a closer look at which categories are the most lucrative in public sector procurement and would appreciate your feedback . But how can you enhance your chances of winning relevant contracts?
You must meet buyer expectations. Basically; the requirements detailed in the tender notice, but with some extra value thrown in. Typically, this includes:
Experience
Proof of previous success for contracts similar to the one in question. They don’t necessarily have to be public sector contracts, which is good news for businesses just starting out.
Value for money
Buyers want more bang for their buck. You must fulfil the contract and provide a bit extra. Extras can include streamlined operations, cost savings, improved productivity – all related to your skills.
Social value
Social value is the difference you make to the environment and community where the contract is delivered. Buyers are looking for social, environmental, or economic initiatives that uplift the community, like apprenticeships and sourcing local.
Small businesses in big ponds
SMEs must realise that size doesn’t necessarily matter. SMEs, with their ears closer to the ground, tend to be better positioned to provide outstanding social value. This can easily surpass the overall value some larger businesses provide.
Smaller businesses can also join forces and collaborate or form a consortium so their combined services, products, or works meet the criteria detailed in large tenders.
A third option is to hire yourself out as a subcontractor, so you can work with and learn from big players, and amass a bunch of experience that will stand you in good stead should you want to strike out on your own. A few positive recommendations from respected big players will also impress contracting authorities.
One last tip: Specialise.
Specialising or providing niche services helps to set you apart from your competitors and can also enhance buyers’ perception that yours is a business to trust. Specialists must obviously be good, right? They must be consistent and reliable, right?
While this is certainly not the case 100% of the time, it’s something that suppliers can leverage to improve their win rates.
Why Use Supply2Gov to Track Public Sector Tenders
Supply2Gov has the largest database of active public sector tenders in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. That alone is reason enough to register on S2G’s platform. However, Supply2Gov enables users to dig down into their search criteria, filtering by sector, category, value, and location, until their niche is revealed.
The platform is perfect for new and micro-suppliers for reasons, primarily because they can find small, low-value tenders that match their capacity and experience. Packages also suit SMEs and those new to the market. You can register and get free access to local alerts. Then, as your business grows and you gain experience, you can upgrade to paid packages that include country-wide alerts, alerts across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and even international procurement opportunities.
Wrapping Up
Boosting public sector procurement is a government priority, which means the market is likely to get pretty crowded as more and more people realise just how lucrative it can be. Suppliers must do everything they can to enhance their chances of being awarded contracts in their field.
Setting up search criteria that meet their exact requirements is one of the best ways to go about this. You don’t waste time bidding on contracts that are almost, but not entirely up your alley.
Supply2Gov’s platform is the perfect tool for the job. Register for free alerts and start tracking category-specific tenders now.