Learn how to supply goods and services to government organisations and the public sector with Government Commercial Agency.

Published 14 October 2024

Last updated 14 October 2024

Government Commercial Agency (GCA) is the UK’s largest central public purchasing body. Our main role is to manage and simplify the procurement process for government departments and public sector organisations. We aim to make public procurement simpler, better and faster.

Why supply through Government Commercial Agency?

Here is why you should consider becoming a GCA supplier:

  • access to 20,000 UK public sector buyers spending over £30 billion a year
  • opportunities to supply goods and services including construction, office and print solutions, energy, fleet, research and travel
  • a simplified tender process for public procurement
  • prompt payment policy implementation – meaning reliable pay

Can you become a public sector supplier?

Contrary to popular belief, public sector procurement isn’t only for large organisations. In fact, many suppliers are:

  • small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSEs)
  • micro-businesses

We encourage organisations of all sizes to become GCA suppliers. Winning a contract to provide services or supplies to public sector buyers is a great way for small business to:

  • increase your revenue
  • enhance your reputation
  • grow your organisation

This article will guide you through the process of becoming a public sector supplier.

Simplifying the tendering process for all suppliers

In alignment with the Procurement Act 2023, we are committed to making it easier for businesses of all sizes to bid for government and public sector contracts. We do this by:

  1. Ensuring transparency in public procurement: we publish all details of upcoming procurements on our website.
  2. Using data-led category strategies: we understand what public buyers need and what suppliers can offer, which helps us to write clear bid packs.
  3. Implementing prompt payment policy: if companies fail to pay 95% of invoices within 60 days, they are excluded from bidding. This policy helps to support smaller businesses in their supply chain.

Types of GCA agreements

GCA offers 3 main types of commercial agreements:

  1. Frameworks. Long-term agreements between one or more buyers and one or more suppliers.
  2. Dynamic Purchasing Systems (DPS). A type of commercial agreement that operates through an online marketplace.
  3. Dynamic Markets. A list of qualified suppliers who can provide a particular range of products or services. The list remains open to new suppliers joining or leaving at any time during its lifetime.

Additionally, the Low Value Purchase System (LVPS) agreement can be used for buying low-value goods and services. All suppliers, including SMEs and VCSEs, can apply to join and supply through this commercial agreement at any time.

5 steps to becoming a GCA supplier

Follow these 5 steps to supply goods and services to the government and public sector.

1. Learn how the tendering process works for UK public sector procurement

When appointing new suppliers, GCA must follow a formal tendering process to ensure procurement regulations are met. This includes publicly listing all opportunities for potential suppliers.

The tendering process will depend on the type of commercial agreement suppliers wish to join:

2. Find public sector tender opportunities

Search for opportunities to sell goods and services to the public sector through:

  • Find a Tender service: search for high-value opportunities (agreements with an estimated total lifetime value of over £138,760)
  • Contracts Finder: search for public sector contracts worth over £12,000 (or £30,000 outside central government) including VAT in England and with non-devolved bodies
  • Dynamic Purchasing Marketplace: find more information on what the DPS is about and register as a supplier
  • upcoming agreements: see what opportunities are coming up in our procurement pipeline

There are also many regional and sector-specific procurement organisations including, in local government, the NHS and universities. Many public sector bodies also have their own procurement teams.

3. Respond to a tender opportunity and submit your bid

When you have found an opportunity, read the invitation to tender carefully. This is your opportunity to ask us any clarification questions about the bid.

GCA procurements are conducted using our eSourcing portal. You will need to be registered on the eSourcing portal to take part in GCA tender opportunities. To register, you will need to provide information including:

  • full legal name of your organisation
  • your DUNS number: a unique 9-digit number provided to organisations free of charge
  • profile information describing your organisation and the size of your business

We will respond to clarification questions in our eSourcing portal and share them with all bidders for transparency purposes. You should submit your tender bid before the tender deadline.

4. Check our eSourcing portal for updates on the tendering process

At this stage, we will evaluate all the tenders. This includes:

  • the selection questionnaire
  • answers to each quality question
  • the pricing submission

Suppliers should regularly check our eSouring portal to stay up to date on their tender. We will use the portal to ask you any clarification questions and list the outcome of the evaluation.

5. Sign and return your agreement to supply

If you are successful, you will sign and return your agreement. You will then be onboarded as a supplier to the relevant framework or DPS. Public sector buyers may then invite you to bid on their call-off competitions.

Standard template for framework contracts

We have a standard template for framework contracts for common goods and services. You can see our standard core terms and conditions, along with schedule templates.

Different agreements may change the terms depending on the category subject. You should be mindful of checking the terms and raising questions during clarification.

Selling goods or services to the public sector

To win government and public sector contracts, you must make your strengths and capabilities clear by writing a tender bid. 

Find out more

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