Proactis (Due North)

Proactis is a procurement technology company whose software underpins significant portions of UK public sector eProcurement activity. The company acquired Due North, the original developer of the ProContract platform, and now operates a suite of procurement software solutions used by local authorities, NHS bodies, housing associations, universities, and central government agencies. The Proactis and Due North brand names are often used interchangeably by contracting authorities, and suppliers encountering either name are dealing with the same corporate entity.

What is Proactis (Due North)?

The Proactis platform (distinct from but related to ProContract) provides a comprehensive source-to-pay procurement suite including sourcing, contract management, supplier management, and purchase order processing. In the UK public sector context, the sourcing module is most commonly encountered by external suppliers: it is the system through which contracting authorities publish tender opportunities, manage pre-qualification questionnaires, issue invitation to tender documents, receive electronic bids, and record evaluation outcomes.

Proactis integrates with Find a Tender Service (FTS) and Contracts Finder to ensure that above-threshold notices published within the Proactis system are distributed to the statutory notice platforms. Suppliers registered on the Proactis supplier portal receive alerts based on their registered categories, and can access tender documents and submit bids entirely within the platform.

The platform is used by a significant number of NHS trusts and health bodies alongside local authorities, making it particularly important for suppliers in the health, social care, and public services sectors. Some housing associations and further education colleges also use Proactis-based systems.

Why it matters for bidders

Encountering the Proactis platform is common for suppliers active in UK public sector markets. Registration on the Proactis supplier portal is typically required to access tender documents and submit bids for buyers using the system, even when the contract notice itself is visible on FTS or Contracts Finder. Registering proactively, before a specific opportunity arises, ensures readiness when an attractive tender is published.

Suppliers should be aware that different buyers using Proactis may present slightly different interfaces depending on their configuration, but the core registration and submission workflow is consistent across the platform.

Example

A health technology company targeting NHS trusts in the North West of England identifies that several trusts use Proactis-based systems for their procurement. It registers on the Proactis supplier portal, completing the standard company information and financial standing sections, and sets up category alerts for the relevant CPV codes. When Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust publishes an ITT for clinical decision support software, the company receives an alert, accesses the tender documents within Proactis, and submits its bid through the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Due North the same company as Proactis?

Yes. Due North was the original name of the company and the brand under which ProContract was developed. Proactis acquired Due North and the combined entity now operates under the Proactis name. The ProContract product for local government and the broader Proactis suite are both part of the same corporate group.

Do I need separate registrations for ProContract and Proactis?

In some cases, yes. While the two platforms share ownership, they may have separate supplier portals and registration databases depending on the specific buyer's implementation. Suppliers should check whether a buyer's tender notice links to the ProContract portal or the Proactis portal and register on the correct one.

How widely is Proactis used compared to other eProcurement systems?

Proactis and ProContract together represent one of the larger shares of UK local authority and NHS eProcurement deployments, alongside In-tend, Atamis, and others. No single platform has a monopoly. Suppliers active across UK public sector markets should expect to encounter multiple platforms and maintain registrations on each.