Find a Tender Service (FTS) explained
Find a Tender Service, or FTS, is the UK government portal where higher-value public sector contracts are published. It replaced the EU's OJEU and TED system for UK procurement after Brexit, from January 2021. Contracts at or above the public procurement thresholds must be advertised there, including many care frameworks and large care contracts. It is free to search, and setting alerts on FTS is one of the core ways to find significant care opportunities.
What FTS is and why it exists
FTS is the UK's central notice service for public contracts above the procurement thresholds. Since January 2021 it has replaced the requirement to publish in the EU's Official Journal (OJEU) via TED. UK buyers now publish their higher-value notices on FTS instead.
Thresholds and what appears there
Contracts at or above the relevant threshold must be advertised on FTS, while lower-value opportunities go on Contracts Finder. Thresholds are set in pounds and reviewed periodically, and large care frameworks, DPS arrangements and major contracts commonly clear them. Always check the current threshold, as the figures are updated over time.
Using FTS in practice
Search FTS by keyword and set up email alerts for terms relevant to your service. Note that the formal notice on FTS usually points you to the buyer's own portal, such as ProContract, Atamis or In-Tend, where you register interest and access the documents. FTS finds the opportunity; the buyer's portal runs the bid.
Not sure if you qualify for a tender? We check it for free, before you pay anything, and we only take bids we believe you can win. Text TENDER to get started.
Common questions
What did Find a Tender Service replace?
It replaced the UK's use of the EU Official Journal (OJEU) and the TED system for advertising higher-value public contracts, from January 2021 following Brexit.
Is Find a Tender Service free to use?
Yes. Searching FTS and setting up alerts is free. The notices direct you to the buyer's own procurement portal to register and access the tender documents.
What is the difference between FTS and Contracts Finder?
FTS carries higher-value contracts at or above the procurement thresholds. Contracts Finder carries lower-value opportunities. Many care providers monitor both to see the full range of work.
Keep reading
Browse all care tender guides, or see care tender writing by service.
Got a tender to check?
Text TENDER to +44 7822 001898and we'll tell you free whether you'd qualify, before you spend a penny.