Contract notice
A contract notice is any notification that provides information about an upcoming construction contract. It is essentially an advertisement. Today, most contract notices appear online but they may also be published in the hard copy versions of professional or other journals.
The UK government publishes public contract notices on its website and in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). The OJEU is the official on-line gazette of record for the EU. Publishing contract notices in the OJEU is required for public projects above a certain value.
Publishing contract notices in the OJEU is intended to open up public procurement and ensure the free movement of supplies, services and works within the EU. Private projects may also need to be published in the OJEU if they have been publicly subsidised.
Contracts posted in the OJEU may range from the supply of materials, to the installation of a school football pitch, to large multi-million-pound framework contracts for infrastructure. Details of the project will be provided to enable interested parties to ascertain whether the contract is of interest and how to pursue it.
Typical details published in the OJEU can include:
- Type of contract;
- Estimated value;
- Information about whether the project is divided into lots;
- Description of the procurement process;
- Duration of the contract;
- Any extension periods, and
- Administrative and procedural information
The UK Government’s Contract Finder provides a search engine for contract notices on government and agency projects worth more than £10,000. It divides project notices into public sector and supply chain, breaking opportunities down further into location and contract value.
In Scotland, public contract notices must be published on Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) which provides free access to contract opportunities. It has details of contracts with Scottish local authorities, NHS Scotland, the Scottish Government, agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), higher and further education and emergency services.
For more information, see Dynamic purchasing system under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
Wales and Northern Ireland also have their own separate procurement websites. See below.
See also: Prior information notice.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bespoke construction contract.
- Construction contractor.
- Contract documents for construction.
- Contractual obligation.
- Contractual right.
- Design and build procurement route.
- Dynamic purchasing system under the Single Procurement Document (Scotland).
- Early appointment / involvement.
- E-sourcing.
- JCT.
- JCT Construction management contract.
- Lump sum contract.
- Prior information notice.
- Procurement route.
- Procurement team.
- Reserved contract.
- Standard form of contract.
- Tender documentation for construction projects.
- Traditional contract for construction.
- Traditional contract: tender.
- Typical tender process for construction projects.
- Variations in construction contracts.
[edit] External sources
- Public Contracts Scotland for opportunities with public sector bodies in Scotland.
- Sell2Wales for opportunities with public sector bodies in Wales.
- eSourcing NI and eTendersNI for opportunities with public sector bodies in Northern Ireland.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.