Win your first public-sector contract: let AI take the slog out of tenders
Departments now have SME spend targets worth over £7.4bn a year by 2028. How to find tenders on Find a Tender and use AI to read and answer them, while you write the claims.
Win your first public-sector contract: let AI take the slog out of tenders
By Jason Sibley
What this is for, and who it's for
This guide is for UK small firms that have never bid for public-sector work. You may have seen the word "tender" and moved on. The documents are long, the language is stiff and the deadlines don't move.
AI can't win a bid for you. It can cut the reading, sorting and tidying, giving you more time to show the buyer you can deliver.
This isn't legal, tax or financial advice. For contract terms, ask a solicitor. For tax or finances, ask your accountant.
Why now
On 24 March 2026, GOV.UK announced that departments have, for the first time, set individual spending targets for small businesses. Together they're meant to deliver over £7.4 billion a year to small businesses by 2028. Departments must publish yearly progress updates. Those falling behind must explain what they'll do about it.
GOV.UK gives some