Getting registered to bid: step-by-step guide

1. What you are registering for

2. Before you start: have these ready

Tip: block out about 60 to 90 minutes. Do it in one sitting with the documents open.

3. Register on Find a Tender and the Central Digital Platform

1. 1

   Step 1. Create your GOV.UK One Login

   • Go to the Find a Tender service (opens in a new tab) and select "Sign in with One Login".
   • Choose "Create your GOV.UK One Login". If you already have one, sign in.
   • Enter your work email address. Agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.
   • Enter the 6-digit code sent to your email. It can take a few minutes and may go to spam.
   • Choose a password.
   • Choose how to get security codes: text message or an authentication app. A text code runs out after 15 minutes.
2. 2

   Step 2. Set up your account on the platform

   • Agree to the privacy policy.
   • Enter your first and last name.
   • You arrive on the "My account" page.
3. 3

   Step 3. Register your organisation

   • On "My account", select "Register an organisation".
   • Select "Supplier". Do not choose Buyer.
   • Does your organisation have a Companies House number? Select Yes and enter it. The name and address then fill in for you.
   • Check your answers. Change anything that is wrong. Select "Save".
   • Select "View" to open your organisation. From here you can add other users and administrators.
4. 4

   Step 4. Complete your supplier information

   This is the main job. From your organisation page, select "View" then "Complete Supplier Information". There are six sections:

   Section	What to have ready
   SectionBasic information	What to have readyCompany details, as registered.
   SectionConnected persons	What to have readyDirectors, people with significant control, and anyone who controls the company.
   SectionQualifications	What to have readyRelevant professional qualifications.
   SectionTrade assurances	What to have readyCertificates such as Cyber Essentials, ISO standards and similar.
   SectionExclusions	What to have readyAnswers to the questions about situations that can exclude a supplier. Answer honestly. Take advice if unsure.
   SectionFinancial information	What to have readyYour latest accounts, ready to upload.

5. 5

   Step 5. Share your information

   • Check everything is accurate. Select "Share my information".
   • Select "Create a share code". Read and agree to the declaration.
   • Enter the declarant's name, job title, work email and the organisation's postal address.
   • Check your answers. Select "Confirm and get share code".
   • Save the share code and download the supplier information file. Keep both somewhere easy to find.
   • When you bid, you give the buyer either the share code or the file. Some portals ask for the code. Some ask for the file.
6. 6

   Step 6. Set up alerts and add your team

   • On Find a Tender, save a search using CPV codes or keywords, plus your region.
   • Add colleagues to your organisation so more than one person has access.
   • Check that a second person can use your security method when you are away.
   • Update your information and create a new share code whenever something changes: new accounts, a new certificate, a director leaving.

4. Contracts Finder

• Go to Contracts Finder (opens in a new tab) and create a free account. Verify your email. Alerts do not start until you do.
• Search by CPV code, keyword, region and value. Save the search with a clear name.
• Turn on email alerts for each saved search.
• Check the first week. Too many results: narrow it. None: widen it.
• Tip: save separate searches for each service you offer.
• Contracts Finder and Find a Tender show different notices. Watch both.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own portals: Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales and eTendersNI. Register on them if you want opportunities there.

5. Buyer portals

• Each buyer uses its own portal. Common ones include Atamis, In-Tend and Delta.
• Registering is free. It lets you see and download the documents. It does not enter you into the tender.
• Do this when you find a tender you want. Create an account, express interest, then download everything.
• Practice: pick one live tender and download the full pack, even if you do not plan to bid. Learn where the documents are.

6. Supplier Registration Service (SRS)

This is a different service from Find a Tender. Some central government buyers ask for it. Do not start here. Only register if a buyer asks.

• Register on the Supplier Registration Service registration page (opens in a new tab).
• You will need a D-U-N-S number. The company name and address come from the Dun & Bradstreet record linked to it.
• Look up or ask for a D-U-N-S number on the Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S lookup page (opens in a new tab), or phone 0808 239 0412.
• You will also use your Central Digital Platform share code or PPON. You get those from Find a Tender, not from SRS.
• For SRS questions use the SRS contact page (opens in a new tab). The SRS team cannot help with Find a Tender.

7. G-Cloud and Digital Outcomes: where things stand

Checked 13 October 2026. These dates can change.

8. The ICO data protection fee

• Organisations that use personal information must pay a data protection fee, unless exempt.
• The tier one fee is £52. You get a £5 discount if you pay by direct debit.
• It takes about 15 minutes and must be done in one go.
• Have your organisation name and address, staff numbers and turnover, and your card details ready.
• Start on the ICO data protection fee page (opens in a new tab).

This is a payment and registration, not an exam or a certificate. Check the amount on the page before you pay, because fees change.

9. Problems and where to get help