What’s the best way to find sub-OJEU and lower-value tenders in the UK?

The UK public sector buys everything from specialist software to grounds maintenance, catering and consultancy. While multi-million-pound frameworks get the headlines, the real entry point for most SMEs is the lower-value, below-threshold market often still referred to as “sub-OJEU.” These contracts are frequent, flexible and far more accessible — but they can be hard to spot. With the Procurement Act 2023 now in force, buyers have more freedom to run proportionate processes for lower values, yet visibility remains fragmented. This article explains what “sub-OJEU” means in today’s landscape, why these opportunities are ideal for smaller suppliers, and how to reliably find them without spending hours trawling dozens of portals.

Defining the landscape: What is sub-OJEU and why it’s key for SMEs?

Historically, “sub-OJEU” described public contracts below the thresholds that required publication in the Official Journal of the EU (OJEU). Post-Brexit, the UK now uses the Find a Tender Service (FTS) for high-value notices, and domestic transparency rules apply to lower values. The Procurement Act 2023 has modernised the regime, but the practical distinction still stands: high-value contracts follow more prescriptive routes; lower-value buys are more flexible and often advertised locally.

Indicative thresholds for goods and services in 2024/25 sit at around £139k for central government and circa £214k for sub-central authorities (inclusive of VAT). As of January 1, 2026, new public procurement thresholds have come into effect under the Procurement Act 2023, slightly lowering most limits. These limits determine when contracts fall under the more stringent procurement procedures. Contracts with a contract value above the OJEU thresholds must be published in accordance with EU rules, ensuring transparency and compliance. Contracts that fall below these thresholds are not subject to the same requirements and may be advertised through domestic platforms instead. Below these values, buyers typically aren’t obliged to publish on FTS. Domestic publication triggers still matter though. In England, central government buyers must publish opportunities of £12,000+ on Contracts Finder, and sub-central authorities (such as councils) must do so from £30,000+. In Scotland, “regulated procurements” start at £50,000 for goods and services and must be advertised on Public Contracts Scotland, with lighter-touch approaches below that level. The practical takeaway: a large share of public buying happens below the main thresholds — and not all of it appears on a single, central platform.

For SMEs, this space is attractive. Processes are usually shorter and less document-heavy, competition is often lighter, and the work is perfect for building a public sector track record. Think £15k–£75k cleaning or IT support contracts, a £40k local marketing project, or a £25k reactive maintenance programme — realistic, deliverable projects that help you learn the ropes and gather references.

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Why your business should target lower-value tenders

Lower-value tenders are a strategic stepping stone for growth. Here’s why they’re worth your time:

• Faster cycles, lower overhead: Below-threshold buys are commonly procured via simplified processes. That means fewer pages of compliance paperwork and quicker decisions — a better return on your bidding time.
• Build a credible track record: Buyers want assurance. Delivering smaller contracts gives you tangible case studies, named referees and performance data you can use to compete for bigger opportunities later.
• Diverse, regular demand: Local authorities, NHS trusts, housing associations, colleges and blue-light services all run routine, lower-value competitions. The variety of goods and services needed keeps your pipeline active year-round.
• Fit for SME capacity: You can align opportunities to your current resources — one region, one discipline, one contract at a time — before scaling into multi-region work or frameworks and DPS arrangements.

Understanding procurement procedures for sub-OJEU contracts

When the value is lower, buyers have more scope to tailor the procedure while still complying with the Act’s principles of transparency, fairness and value for money. However, it is important to note that all medium and higher value public sector contracts must be awarded through competitive procedures, although there are exclusions and exceptions. The standard way of awarding contracts is through competitive tendering, where multiple suppliers are invited to submit tenders and are evaluated against set criteria. Public sector contracts are awarded by users of public funds and entities operating in specific, non-competitive conditions. Processes are typically “right-sized” to the risk and value, which is good news for SMEs — provided you can find the opportunities in time.

The sub-OJEU process: How it differs from high-value procurement

• RFQ vs ITT: At lower values, you’ll often see Requests for Quotation (RFQs) rather than full Invitations to Tender (ITTs). RFQs typically ask for pricing, confirmation of key policies (e.g. health and safety, insurance) and a short set of quality responses. ITTs are more formal and detailed.
• Shorter windows: Lower-value opportunities may be open for 7–14 days. That speed keeps admin proportionate but punishes late discoverers. Real-time alerts are essential.
• Lighter documentation: Buyers still assess capability and risk, but submissions are usually concise. Expect to be asked for essential certifications (e.g. Cyber Essentials where relevant), insurance levels, and focused evidence of similar work.
• Flexible routes: Under the Procurement Act 2023, buyers can use simplified procedures and faster direct awards in certain circumstances. You’ll also see mini-competitions under frameworks or DPS agreements — both useful routes for SMEs if you’re “on” the arrangement.

Thresholds and regulations for low-value tenders

Keep these triggers in mind:

• Find a Tender thresholds: Circa £139k (central government) and £214k (sub-central) for goods and services. Above these, notices go to FTS.
• England publication rules: Central government must post at £12,000+; sub-central bodies at £30,000+ on Contracts Finder.
• Scotland: Goods/services at £50,000+ are “regulated procurements” and must be advertised on Public Contracts Scotland.

Many opportunities below these triggers are advertised on local or sector portals — or sent to selected suppliers for quotes. The Procurement Act 2023 strengthens transparency overall (e.g. clearer notice types and a greater focus on SME access and prompt 30-day payment), but below-threshold processes still vary by buyer and region. That’s why comprehensive coverage matters.

The challenge: knowing where to find lower-value tenders

If lower-value tenders are so SME-friendly, why does it feel so difficult to keep on top of them?

• Fragmentation: Notices can appear on Contracts Finder, a regional e-procurement portal, a council tender page, a hospital microsite or a niche sector platform. There are thousands of sources across the UK. No single public portal lists them all.
• Minimal advertising: Very small buys may only be promoted locally or sent as RFQs to known suppliers. If you’re not in the loop, you may never see them.
• Short deadlines: With 1–2 week windows common, discovering a notice even a few days late can rule you out.
• Jargon and filters: CPV codes and formal terminology can make relevant notices hard to find if you don’t know how a buyer describes your service.

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Maximising visibility with Supply2Gov: The hub for sub-OJEU opportunities

Supply2Gov is designed to solve the “needle in a haystack” problem for SMEs. The platform aggregates thousands of public sources into a single, easy-to-use feed and delivers real-time tender alerts to your inbox based on your preferences.

• Unmatched coverage: Supply2Gov monitors 3,000+ sources across the UK and Ireland, capturing both high-value and hard-to-find local notices. In practice, that means you see more of the sub-threshold market than on any single public site.
• Tender alerts that come to you: Create a profile using keywords and CPV codes, pick your sectors and regions, set value bands — and let the system do the searching. New, matching notices are emailed to you as they go live, so you have the maximum preparation time.
• Built for SMEs: Start free with local-area alerts to test the market and bid for suitable work close to home. As your capacity grows, move to regional or UK-wide coverage with a pay-as-you-grow model that avoids unnecessary cost.
• Track and organise: Flag promising opportunities inside your account so nothing slips past the deadline. Keep documents handy, monitor updates and manage your pipeline in one place.

Strategic tips for winning low-value tenders

Finding the right notices is half the battle. Converting them into wins requires focus and readiness.

• Lead with local impact: Lower-value tenders often come from local bodies. Show how you’ll create social value in the community — e.g. local hires, apprenticeships, carbon reduction, volunteering or supply-chain inclusion. Be specific and measurable.
• Be proposal-ready: Keep essentials up to date and easy to attach: insurances at the correct levels, health and safety policy, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion policy, data protection measures, environmental policy and relevant certifications such as Cyber Essentials. A tidy bid pack helps you meet short deadlines.
• Price for best value, not just lowest price: Buyers evaluate overall value. Pair a competitive price with strong quality responses, clear risk management and meaningful social value. Explain the outcomes you’ll deliver, not just the features of your service.
• Move fast and ask smart questions: For a 10-day RFQ, aim to review on day one, submit clarifications early, and draft by day five. Use the Q&A to clarify scope or highlight value-adding options — concisely and professionally.
• Target the right fit: A short, well-aimed submission beats a rushed, generic one. If 20% of requirements aren’t a match, consider passing and focusing on a notice you can win convincingly.

How Supply2Gov tailors the search for your business growth

Winning more low-value tenders starts with a pipeline that fits your capacity, location and expertise. Supply2Gov’s filters help you focus on the opportunities that make sense for your next step, including tenders for a wide range of supplies, services, and works.

• Region-first targeting: Local authorities often prefer suppliers with a local footprint for lower-value awards. Filter to your council area, county or travel radius to concentrate on work you can deliver efficiently — and that aligns with local priorities.
• Sector, category and value bands: Combine industry tags (e.g. cleaning, web development, training) with value ranges and filter by category to reflect your sweet spot. This keeps your inbox focused on realistic, winnable notices.
• Eligibility: Being established in the UK or EU can affect your eligibility for certain tenders, especially those involving cross-border procurement.
• Real-time alerts plus tracking: Treat alerts as your early warning radar. When a match lands, track it, download the documents and plan your go/no-go decision immediately.

Tailoring your profile for lower-value tenders

A well-tuned alert profile is the difference between noise and opportunity.

• Choose specific keywords and CPV codes: Go beyond generic terms. For example, “grounds maintenance,” “litter picking,” “arboreal services” will surface different opportunities. Use buyer language where possible.
• Include exclusions: If certain categories regularly appear but aren’t your focus, adjust terms to reduce clutter in your feed.
• Refine as you learn: After a few weeks, review which alerts turned into submissions and wins. Tighten or expand your terms to improve relevance.
• Save time with templates, not template answers: Keep concise, reusable paragraphs for common requirements (mobilisation plans, quality assurance, risk management), and tailor them to each buyer’s context.

Utilising data to master procurement procedures for sub-OJEU success

The Procurement Act 2023 has elevated transparency. Use that to your advantage.

• Study past awards: Look at who wins in your niche, typical contract values, and the quality criteria weighting. Shape your story and pricing to match the market.
• Spot cycles and pipelines: Many services are re-procured on predictable schedules. When you see early engagement or pipeline notices, start preparing evidence and case studies before the tender drops. A procuring entity may publish a prior information notice (PIN) on the TED portal in advance to provide information about future procurement opportunities, allowing suppliers to engage early and review the specification in advance to prepare better bids.
• Track buyer preferences: Some councils place higher weighting on social value; others emphasise turnaround times or innovation. Mirror those priorities in your responses.
• Build a calendar: Log expected re-let dates, likely timelines and key documents needed. For fast-moving RFQs, being two days earlier than your rivals can be decisive. Note that the evaluation of tenders may only begin after the deadline for submission has expired.

Securing your future with sub-OJEU contracts

If you’re serious about breaking into public procurement — or scaling your footprint — sub-OJEU and lower-value tenders are the logical place to start. They’re frequent, flexible and designed to be proportionate, with shorter cycles and manageable submission effort. In aggregate, they form a powerful foundation for long-term success: each win adds revenue, references and confidence.

The challenge has always been visibility. With opportunities scattered across thousands of sources and short windows to respond, manual searching is a risky use of your time. Supply2Gov fixes that by centralising discovery, matching opportunities to your profile and sending them straight to your inbox in real time. Combine that early visibility with a tidy, ready-to-go bid pack and a clear local value story, and you’ll be positioned to win consistently.

Take the first step toward winning government work. Sign up for your free local area tender alerts with Supply2Gov today and find the perfect lower value tenders for your business.