How to Find Government Contracts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Suppliers

Government contracts represent one of the most stable and rewarding revenue streams available to suppliers - across nearly every sector. 

Whether it’s a municipality seeking landscaping services, a national ministry modernizing IT systems, or a school district sourcing lunches, public buyers spend billions annually on external suppliers.

In fact, public procurement accounts for around 14% of GDP in the EU, and similar volumes in countries like the UK, Norway, and Denmark. That’s a massive, predictable market - open to businesses of all sizes, including startups and SMEs.

Yet for many suppliers, especially those new to the space, one question keeps coming up: 

“Where do I actually find these opportunities?”

This guide breaks that question down - step by step. 

From national portals to smarter search strategies and tender alert systems, we’ll show you exactly how and where to find public tenders that match your business - and how to stay ahead of your competition from day one.

Where Government Contracts Are Published

Governments are legally required to publish contract opportunities in public forums - but those forums aren’t always centralized. Depending on the country, sector, and contract size, you may need to check multiple platforms to get the full picture.

Here are the key places where government contracts are typically published:

1. National Procurement Portals

Most countries have official government websites where public tenders are posted. Examples include:

• TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) – The official EU-wide portal for high-value contracts
  
  

• Doffin (Norway)
  
  

• Udbud.dk (Denmark)
  
  

• BOAMP (France)
  
  

• Contracts Finder (UK)

These sites are often free to use, but they can be fragmented and difficult to search efficiently - especially for smaller or regional tenders.

2. Local Authority and Regional Websites

City councils, municipalities, and hospitals may publish smaller-value or below-threshold tenders on their own websites. These opportunities are often ideal for SMEs - but they’re easy to miss if you don’t know where to look.

Example: A local school board might publish a €30,000 cleaning contract only on its district site, not on TED or a national portal.

3. Sector-Specific Portals

Some sectors have their own procurement systems - particularly in healthcare, defence, or infrastructure. These may be separate from general procurement portals and require registration.

Tip: Always check if your target sector (e.g., health, energy, education) has a preferred platform for publishing notices.

4. Frameworks and Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS)

These are long-term procurement structures where opportunities aren’t published as standalone tenders. Instead, buyers run call-offs or mini-competitions within pre-approved supplier lists.

If you’re not already on the framework or DPS, you won’t even see these opportunities - making it essential to track when frameworks are created or reopened.

The Challenge

While all of these sources are public, they are disconnected. No single site covers everything. That’s why many suppliers waste time checking multiple portals - or miss high-fit opportunities altogether.

The solution? Tools that consolidate and simplify access. That’s what we’ll cover next.

The Role of Tender Aggregators

Because government tenders are scattered across multiple portals, many suppliers struggle to keep up. Manually checking each site, translating listings, and filtering out irrelevant tenders is not only time-consuming - it’s risky. You may miss valuable opportunities simply because they were published somewhere you didn’t look.

That’s where tender aggregators come in.

What Is a Tender Aggregator?

A tender aggregator is a platform that pulls together public procurement opportunities from multiple sources - local, national, EU-wide, and sector-specific - into one searchable interface.

Examples include:

• Mercell
  
  

• EU Supply
  
  

• Tracker
  
  

• Tenders Electronic Daily (for consolidated EU contracts)

Some focus on specific regions or sectors; others are built for scale and international access.

How Aggregators Help Suppliers

Tender aggregators simplify your search process by offering:

• One platform to view tenders from dozens of sources
  
  

• Real-time alerts based on your keywords, CPV codes, sectors, or locations
  
  

• Filtering tools so you only see tenders relevant to your business
  
  

• Integrated documents and deadlines for faster bid preparation
  
  

• Below-threshold coverage that national portals may overlook

Mercell as an Example

Mercell combines tenders from across Europe - including Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, the UK, and EU TED - into one user-friendly platform. Suppliers can:

• Discover open tenders, frameworks, and DPS entries
  
  

• Save searches and set up automatic alerts
  
  

• Access buyer history and contract renewal data
  
  

• Use bid management tools to streamline responses

Why it matters:
Tender aggregators don’t just save time - they increase your chances of finding the right opportunity at the right time, especially for SMEs that can’t afford to miss a contract window.

How to Search Effectively

Finding tenders isn’t just about knowing where to look - it’s about knowing how to look. With thousands of contracts published every month, the real challenge is filtering out the noise and zeroing in on the opportunities that fit your business.

Here’s how to search smarter, not harder:

1. Use the Right Keywords and CPV Codes

Most public tenders are categorized using CPV codes (Common Procurement Vocabulary). These are standardized codes that define what’s being bought - whether it’s office furniture, IT support, or translation services.

• Learn the CPV codes relevant to your industry
  
  

• Use both keywords and CPVs for the most accurate search results
  
  

• Beware of overly broad terms - they’ll return too many irrelevant hits

Tip: If you’re not sure which codes apply to your business, Mercell helps you identify and track them.

2. Filter by Value, Buyer, and Geography

To find tenders that match your capacity and goals:

• Set minimum and maximum contract values to match your delivery scope
  
  

• Filter by region or municipality if you operate locally
  
  

• Target specific contracting authorities (e.g. school districts, ministries, hospitals

This narrows your view to high-potential opportunities without drowning in low-fit results.

3. Save Searches and Set Alerts

Instead of starting from scratch each time:

• Save your most common search filters
  
  

• Turn on email or in-platform alerts so new tenders are delivered to your inbox
  
  

• Schedule daily or weekly checks for categories you care about

This is one of the simplest and most effective ways to build a proactive bidding strategy.

4. Know the Signs of a Good Match

A well-targeted search surfaces tenders that are:

• Clearly within your technical and financial capacity
  
  

• Aligned with services or goods you’ve delivered before
  
  

• Issued by buyers you’ve already researched or worked with

Pro tip: Look for tenders that mirror your past experience. You’ll bid faster and stand a better chance of winning.

By refining your search process, you go from “casting a wide net” to “targeting the right fish” - which saves time and improves your win rate.

Spotting the Right Opportunities

Not every tender is worth your time. In fact, one of the most important skills in public procurement is knowing when not to bid. Chasing the wrong opportunities drains resources, stresses teams, and hurts your overall win rate.

Here’s how to quickly assess whether a tender is a good fit - or a red flag.

1. Check the Scope and Requirements Early

Start by scanning:

• The contract description and technical specifications

• Mandatory requirements (e.g., certifications, past experience, minimum turnover)

• Expected delivery timeframe and capacity needs

If any of these exceed your current capability or stretch your team too thin, it’s likely not a smart pursuit.

2. Read Between the Lines

Even tenders that seem like a good fit can hide complications:

• Is the buyer asking for very specific formats or uncommon certifications?

• Are the award criteria heavily weighted toward something you can’t offer (e.g., social value or scale)?

• Does the timeline feel unrealistically short?

These clues can help you avoid writing a time-consuming bid you were never going to win.

3. Look for Familiarity and Fit

The strongest opportunities are the ones that:

• Resemble contracts you’ve delivered before

• Come from buyers you’ve researched or already worked with

• Involve services/products well within your comfort zone

These are high-probability tenders - where your credibility and readiness give you a real advantage.

4. Consider Competitive Landscape

Ask yourself:

• Will this tender attract dozens of large competitors?

• Is it part of a framework with only limited slots?

• Can you offer something others can’t - like local delivery or niche expertise?

If not, your time may be better spent preparing for a more winnable opportunity.

Why it matters:

Every bid you write takes time and resources. The more selective you are, the more successful you’ll be. Strong suppliers don’t chase every opportunity - they target the ones they’re built to win.

Preparing to Respond

Finding the right government contract is only half the battle. Once you’ve identified a good-fit opportunity, your next move is crucial: responding quickly, correctly, and competitively.

Here’s how to get your team, documents, and strategy in place - so you’re always ready to bid with confidence.

1. Confirm the Timeline and Submission Requirements

First, note:

• The deadline (and time zone) for submitting the bid

• Whether there’s a clarification period where you can ask questions

• The required format, delivery method (e.g. portal upload), and file types

Missing even one small detail here can disqualify your bid - regardless of quality.

2. Gather the Right Documentation

Most public tenders require a set of standard documents. These may include:

• Company registration and financial statements

• Tax compliance declarations

• Insurance certificates

• Relevant case studies or references

• Quality, ESG, or cybersecurity certifications

Having these ready in a “bid pack” saves hours of scramble every time a tender drops.

3. Assign Clear Roles Internally

Bidding can involve multiple team members - sales, legal, finance, delivery, and more.
Set clear responsibilities for:

• Drafting technical answers

• Pricing and cost modelling

• Reviewing legal terms

• Uploading and submitting the final documents

A simple RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) can prevent last-minute errors or delays.

4. Track Opportunities in a Bid Pipeline

Don’t treat tenders as one-offs. Build a rolling pipeline of upcoming and active bids.
Use it to:

• Prioritize based on win probability and value

• Identify when frameworks or DPS entries reopen

• Allocate resources across your team more effectively

Tip: Mercell’s bid management tools help you track deadlines, progress, and submission quality in one place.

5. Start Before the Tender Drops

The most successful suppliers don’t wait until a contract is published - they prepare months in advance. That means:

• Monitoring frameworks set to expire

• Following key buyers and agencies

• Practicing your core proposal content so you’re not writing from scratch

Why it matters:
Public buyers operate on fixed schedules. If you’re always reactive, you’ll always be rushed. A prepared supplier is a competitive supplier.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced suppliers fall into traps that cost them time, effort - and ultimately, contracts. Knowing what not to do is just as important as mastering the search and bidding process.

Here are the most common mistakes suppliers make when trying to find government contracts - and how to avoid them.

1. Relying on One Platform

Many suppliers stick to a single portal, assuming it covers everything. In reality, government contracts are published across multiple portals, levels, and regions.

Why it matters:
If you’re only checking TED or your national site, you may miss hundreds of smaller, sector-specific, or below-threshold opportunities.

How to avoid it:
Use a tender aggregator like Mercell to get full-market visibility in one place.

2. Waiting for Tenders to Drop

If you only start preparing once the tender is live, you’re already behind. The best-positioned suppliers anticipate tenders and have materials ready.

Why it matters:
Public buyers often publish PINs or re-tender frameworks - giving early insight if you’re watching.

How to avoid it:
Build a 6–12 month pipeline of expiring contracts or recurring opportunities. Mercell helps you track these.

3. Ignoring Clarification Deadlines

Tenders often allow a short period where you can submit questions. Missing this window can leave you guessing about requirements.

Why it matters:
Unanswered confusion = lower-quality responses or disqualification.

How to avoid it:
Track clarification periods and set internal reminders. Ask questions early - buyers prefer it to confusion later.

4. Skimming the Documents

Tenders are packed with details, and overlooking even a single clause can hurt your submission.

Why it matters:
Some buyers include “pass/fail” requirements buried deep in technical annexes or submission instructions.

How to avoid it:
Create a summary checklist for every tender you pursue. Assign ownership for reading and interpreting each section.

5. Treating All Tenders Equally

Bidding for every opportunity dilutes your resources and drops your win rate. Not every tender is worth the effort.

Why it matters:
Strategic suppliers win more often by being selective.

How to avoid it:
Qualify each tender based on fit, readiness, and scoring potential. Focus on the ones you’re best positioned to win.

Remember: Winning more government contracts isn’t just about doing more - it’s about doing it smarter.

How Mercell Makes It Easier

Finding government contracts doesn’t have to mean jumping between portals, missing deadlines, or drowning in irrelevant tenders. Mercell simplifies the entire discovery process - so suppliers can spend less time searching, and more time winning.

Here’s how Mercell helps at every stage:

1. One Platform, All Tenders

Mercell aggregates tenders from national, regional, and EU-wide sources - across dozens of countries and sectors. No more checking five websites or chasing links.

Your advantage:
A single login gives you access to everything from cleaning contracts in Copenhagen to IT frameworks in Oslo or healthcare tenders in Brussels.

2. Smart, Tailored Alerts

With Mercell, you can create alerts based on:

• Keywords and CPV codes
  
  

• Sector and geography
  
  

• Contract value and buyer type

You get real-time notifications for only the tenders that match your business - no noise, no clutter.

3. Full Tender Visibility

Each listing includes:

• Contract details and specifications
  
  

• Submission documents and deadlines
  
  

• Buyer history and past tender data

You’ll know exactly what’s required, when it’s due, and how to respond - without chasing paperwork.

4. Pipeline Planning and Bid Management

Mercell doesn’t just help you find tenders - it helps you stay on top of them.
Use built-in tools to:

• Track which tenders you're pursuing
  
  

• Assign roles and manage internal deadlines
  
  

• Store reusable content and compliance documents

Whether you're bidding solo or as a team, Mercell keeps everyone aligned.

5. Early Insights and Long-Term Strategy

Mercell highlights:

• Frameworks and DPS entries before they open
  
  

• Buyers who frequently purchase in your category
  
  

• Expiring contracts that may be re-tendered soon

Your advantage:
Plan ahead. Be ready before competitors. Win on strategy - not speed.

Why it matters:
Public procurement success starts with finding the right opportunities, consistently. Mercell is built to help suppliers do just that - without stress, wasted time, or missed chances.

Finding Government Contracts Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

Government buyers are constantly looking for reliable suppliers - but too often, those suppliers struggle to find the right opportunities in time. Between fragmented portals, vague notices, and tight deadlines, it’s easy to feel locked out of the process before you’ve even begun.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

With the right tools and strategy, finding tenders becomes predictable, proactive, and even scalable. When you know where to look, how to search, and what to prioritize, public procurement becomes a genuine growth channel - not just an occasional win.

Mercell helps you get there. By centralizing opportunities, simplifying search, and streamlining bidding, we empower suppliers to find the right contracts, respond faster, and win more often.