ProContract

ProContract is one of the most widely deployed eProcurement platforms in UK local government and the wider public sector. Developed originally by Due North and now operated under the Proactis Group brand, ProContract is used by hundreds of contracting authorities including local councils, NHS trusts, housing associations, universities, and police forces. It provides a full procurement lifecycle management system: from publishing contract notices through to ITT management, bid submission, evaluation, and contract award.

What is ProContract?

ProContract serves as both a notice publication system and a tender management platform. Contracting authorities using ProContract publish their contract notices on the platform, which are then distributed to the supplier portal and, for above-threshold notices, published on Find a Tender Service (FTS) and Contracts Finder via integration. Suppliers register on ProContract to receive alerts for opportunities from buyers using the system and to submit bids electronically.

The platform supports a range of procurement procedures, including open procedure, restricted procedure, and the dynamic purchasing system (DPS). It handles pre-qualification questionnaire management, document distribution, clarification question logs, and the submission and receipt of bids. Electronic evaluation tools allow buyers to score submissions within the platform.

ProContract is closely related to Proactis (Due North), as both products are part of the same corporate group. Some contracting authorities use ProContract as their primary system, others use the Proactis platform, and in some cases the systems share supplier registration infrastructure. Suppliers frequently encounter both brand names when dealing with UK public sector buyers.

Why it matters for bidders

Suppliers targeting UK local government and public sector contracts will regularly encounter ProContract as the buyer's eProcurement system. Understanding how to register, set up alert profiles, and submit bids through ProContract reduces administrative friction and prevents missed deadlines caused by unfamiliarity with the platform.

A key feature to note is that ProContract's supplier portal requires a single registration that covers all contracting authorities using the platform. Once registered, suppliers can express interest in, and submit bids for, opportunities from any of the hundreds of buyers on the system, without re-registering for each buyer.

Example

A facilities management company wants to tender for a grounds maintenance contract with a London borough council. The council uses ProContract for its procurement. The company registers on the ProContract supplier portal, sets up CPV code and keyword alerts, and receives an email notification when the contract notice is published. It downloads the specification and pricing schedule from within the ProContract portal and submits its completed bid (pricing, technical response, method statements, insurance certificates) through the platform before the submission deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a separate ProContract account for each council?

No. A single ProContract supplier registration covers all contracting authorities using the platform. However, individual buyers may have specific pre-qualification or supplier information requirements that you complete within the context of a specific tender exercise. The core registration applies across all buyers on the system.

Is ProContract the same as Proactis?

Proactis and Due North are related platforms within the same corporate group. ProContract is the product more commonly used by local authorities. Proactis is used more broadly across sectors. The supplier portal infrastructure overlaps to varying degrees, but they are nominally distinct products. Suppliers may need separate accounts on each.

How do I get alerts from ProContract?

After registering on the ProContract supplier portal, you can set up alert preferences by CPV code, keyword, contract value range, and contracting authority. The system sends email notifications when new opportunities matching your preferences are published by any buyer on the platform.