Public bodies' tenders are advertised on a number of different websites and also in some trade journals and local newspapers. Many will advertise them on a section of their own website as well.

The websites listed below provide a useful idea of what the public sector is buying both locally and farther afield, and how they advertise tenders. However, be aware that turnaround time can be tight and that your competition may have been aware of the timescales and the commissioner's requirements a long time in advance.

SCMS
The Supplier and Contract Management System (SCMS) is a procurement website for the Councils within the Yorkshire and the Humber region. This website has been introduced by the Yorkshire and the Humber Centre of Excellence  (YHCoE), and is designed to give you the information you need to be able to trade more easily with the Councils in the region. In addition to providing guidance and advice in all matters relating to the procurement processes Councils currently use, it also gives you direct access to a wide variety of procurement opportunities across the region.

supply2.gov.uk
A free Government run website giving access to lower value contract opportunities from public sector bodies. This includes contracts under the EU procurement threshold. Access is free for local searches with an upgrade fee applicable for searching nationally. The site requires registration.

sell2wales
Despite the name this website provides details of tender opportunities across the UK including lower value ones. Searches can be made without the need to register.

Tenders Electronic Daily
European wide tenders above the EU procurement threshold.

Building relationships with possible customers of your services and making them aware of your work will put you in the best position to be aware of future upcoming opportunities, timescales and potential input into the whole commissioning process.