Under the Procurement Act 2023, UK public sector buyers with significant annual procurement spend are now legally required to publish forward-looking Pipeline Notices. These notices—referred to as UK1 Pipeline Notices—are central to increasing transparency and supplier readiness. In this guide, we break down the compliance requirements, forecast structure, supplier implications, and how to capitalise on the new rules.
What Is a UK1 Pipeline Notice?
A UK1 Pipeline Notice is a statutory publication mandated by Section 93 of the Procurement Act 2023. Any contracting authority expecting to spend over £100 million on public contracts in a financial year must publish a forecast of all planned procurements over £2 million.
These notices must:
- Cover a forward-looking 18-month period
- List individual opportunities expected to go to tender
- Be published within 56 days of the new financial year (i.e., by 26 May for FY 2025/26)
- Be refreshed annually (minimum), or more often if additional contracts arise
The UK1 is not optional. It replaces the old pre-market Prior Information Notices (PINs) for larger buyers and creates a standardised window for supplier engagement and early-stage planning.
Who Must Publish a UK1 Notice?
The UK1 requirement applies to contracting authorities that:
- Plan to spend more than £100 million in a given financial year
- Expect to procure contracts over £2 million (inclusive of VAT)
This includes government departments, large NHS trusts, major councils, centralised buying organisations, and regulated utilities.
Key criteria:
- Threshold 1: Forecasted spend > £100m (across all procurement activity)
- Threshold 2: At least one contract > £2m in estimated value
Authorities below the £100m threshold may still publish voluntarily to enhance supplier access, especially in regions with SME engagement targets.
What Is the Timeline?
Each financial year starts on 1 April. Contracting authorities must publish their UK1 Pipeline Notice within 56 calendar days, meaning:
- FY 2025/26 deadline: 26 May 2025
If they exceed thresholds mid-year or later confirm eligible procurements, they can update or supplement the pipeline.
The Pipeline Notice must be published via the central digital platform (currently Find a Tender) and visible to the public. Each individual procurement listed must have its own entry.
The 5-Step Buyer Forecast Explained
1. Forecast Total Spend
Authorities begin by assessing whether their total procurement spend for the upcoming financial year will exceed £100 million. This includes:
- Direct contracts
- Framework call-offs
- DPS awards
- Grant-linked delivery contracts
Only if this threshold is crossed does the UK1 requirement apply.
2. Identify Reportable Procurements
Buyers must then list all individual contracts expected to exceed £2 million in value (VAT-inclusive) over the next 18 months. The £2m value should include:
- Base contract value
- Extension options
- Contingencies where applicable
Procurements under £2m may be listed optionally but are not mandated.
3. Compile and Structure the Notice
Each opportunity should contain:
- A working title
- Estimated value
- Short description of works/services/supplies
- Anticipated tender release date (month/year)
- Internal project or budget code (if available)
This allows suppliers to triage their pipeline and plan engagement.
4. Publish by the 56-Day Deadline
The pipeline must go live within 56 days of 1 April. This ensures a harmonised national window of visibility. It also means suppliers will increasingly time their framework onboarding, JV formation, and early engagement during April-May.
Delays beyond this window could be seen as a breach of statutory transparency duties unless a justifiable exemption applies.
5. Update and Maintain the Notice
UK1 is not a one-time publication. Buyers are expected to revise or supplement their notice when:
- A new eligible contract is confirmed
- An existing listed contract changes scope or timeline
- Annual refresh deadlines recur
SMEs and suppliers should monitor dashboards weekly and sign up for pipeline alert services to stay on top of updates.
Implications for Suppliers
The UK1 Pipeline creates unprecedented visibility into upcoming public sector tenders. For suppliers, this means:
Early Strategic Positioning
- Know which buyers are planning major tenders
- Identify which lots or regions are in pipeline early
- Engage before formal procurement begins
Enhanced Bid Planning
- Allocate internal bid resources more effectively
- Prepare compliance, finance, and JV structures in advance
- Reduce reactive bidding and increase win rates
Framework & Partnering Readiness
- Review frameworks expiring or refreshing during the pipeline period
- Plan to partner where direct bidding may be difficult
- Review subcontracting opportunities tied to larger prime procurements
Tools for Navigating the UK1 Pipeline
- Construction-Tenders.co.uk Alerts: Filter UK1 notices by region, trade, or buyer
- Excel Dashboards: Track opportunities over £2m with sortable values and dates
- JV & Prequal Templates: Download supplier teaming guides for complex tenders
- Reminder Calendars: Sync with the UK1 56-day deadline and quarterly check-ins
Summary Table
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal Reference | Procurement Act 2023, Section 93 |
| Trigger Thresholds | > £100m total spend + individual contracts > £2m |
| Publication Deadline | 56 days from FY start (26 May 2025) |
| Forecast Period | Forward-looking 18 months |
| Update Requirements | Minimum annually; interim updates encouraged |
| SME Actions | Join UK1 alerts, track updates, prepare early engagement |
Stay Ahead of the Pipeline
Join the Construction-Tenders UK1 Alert Service to receive:
- Weekly summary of new pipeline entries
- Trade-specific breakdowns
- Early-access to forecasted tenders
Use our UK1 Buyer Check Template if a pipeline appears missing or outdated. For in-depth help aligning your bid strategy with pipeline notices, contact our advisory team via chat or email.
Next up: We’ll explore how UK1 data connects with PPN 06/20, Social Value weightings, and annual procurement reporting under the new Act.
FAQs:
- What is a UK1 Pipeline Notice?
A UK1 Pipeline Notice is a legally required forecast of high-value public procurements, mandated by the Procurement Act 2023 for authorities spending over £100 million. - Who needs to publish a UK1 Pipeline Notice?
Contracting authorities expecting to spend over £100m in a financial year and procure contracts worth more than £2m. - When is the UK1 Pipeline Notice due each year?
It must be published within 56 days of the start of the financial year—by 26 May 2025 for FY 2025/26. - How can suppliers benefit from UK1 Pipeline Notices?
Suppliers gain early visibility of tenders, allowing more time for bid planning, resource allocation, and partnership formation. - Where are UK1 Pipeline Notices published?
Notices must be published on the UK central digital platform—currently Find a Tender.