Welsh Government Procurement

Welsh Government Procurement sits within the UK's devolved procurement landscape but follows a distinctive path shaped by Wales's own legislation and policy priorities. Unlike Scotland, Wales adopted the UK Procurement Act 2023, but the Welsh Government applies additional policy overlays through its own procurement guidance, the Wales Procurement Policy Statements, and the obligations introduced by the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Suppliers targeting Welsh public sector buyers need to understand both the UK-wide statutory framework and the Welsh-specific expectations layered on top of it.

What is Welsh Government Procurement?

The Welsh Government is the devolved administration responsible for health, education, transport, housing, and other devolved policy areas in Wales. It procures directly as a contracting authority and also influences procurement across the broader Welsh public sector, which includes local authorities, NHS Wales bodies, Further Education institutions, and a range of sponsored bodies.

Above-threshold contracts are subject to the Procurement Act 2023 and must be published on Find a Tender Service (FTS). The Welsh Government also uses Sell2Wales, the national procurement portal for Wales, which aggregates opportunities from central and local government buyers. Sell2Wales is the primary search tool for suppliers targeting the Welsh public sector.

The Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is a defining feature of Welsh procurement. It requires all Welsh public bodies, including the Welsh Government itself, to carry out sustainable development, meaning they must act in a way that seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations. In procurement terms, this translates into a requirement to embed the seven wellbeing goals (including a more prosperous, more equal, healthier, resilient, and globally responsible Wales) into procurement decisions. Contracting authorities must document how a procurement contributes to these goals, and suppliers who can articulate their offer in wellbeing terms are better positioned in Welsh competitions.

The Welsh Government's Wales Procurement Policy Statements set out additional expectations for Welsh public bodies, including requirements to pay the Real Living Wage on public contracts, to support local supply chains, and to report on social value delivery.

Why it matters for bidders

The Welsh Government and wider Welsh public sector spend several billion pounds annually on goods, services, and works. Health spending through NHS Wales is particularly significant, as is infrastructure investment in transport, housing, and education.

Suppliers should note that Wales has a strong community benefits and social value tradition. Many Welsh public sector competitions include scored social value criteria linked to the wellbeing goals framework. Bidders who can demonstrate local employment, supply chain development in Wales, and environmental commitments aligned to the Future Generations Act are consistently better placed.

Language requirements are also a consideration. Under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 and associated standards, Welsh public bodies have duties relating to the Welsh language. Some contracts require bilingual service delivery or communications, and tender documents may be issued in both Welsh and English. Suppliers delivering public-facing services in Wales should assess whether Welsh language capability is required.

The relationship between devolved administration procurement in Wales and the Scottish Government procurement framework illustrates how the four UK nations have taken different approaches within a broadly shared statutory environment.

Example

A construction company bids for a Welsh Government social housing development contract valued at PS12 million. The contract is advertised on both Sell2Wales and FTS. The award criteria include a 15% weighting for wellbeing of future generations contributions. The company scores highest on this criterion because it commits to employing local apprentices from Communities First areas, sourcing 60% of materials from Welsh suppliers, and achieving BREEAM Excellent certification, all of which map directly to the wellbeing goals of a more prosperous and more equal Wales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wales use the same procurement rules as England?

Broadly yes for above-threshold contracts, since Wales adopted the Procurement Act 2023. However, the Welsh Government applies its own policy layer through the Wales Procurement Policy Statements and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, which create additional obligations and evaluation expectations that go beyond the English framework. The devolved administration procurement overview sets out how the four UK nations differ.

Where are Welsh Government opportunities advertised?

Above-threshold contracts appear on Find a Tender Service (FTS). Most Welsh public sector contracts, including below-threshold opportunities, are also listed on Sell2Wales at sell2wales.gov.wales. Suppliers are advised to register on Sell2Wales and set up contract alerts to avoid missing lower-value opportunities that do not reach FTS.

Are Welsh language requirements common in contracts?

It depends on the nature of the contract. Public-facing services delivered in Wales often have Welsh language requirements built into the specification or contract conditions. The Welsh Government and NHS Wales bodies are most likely to include such requirements. Suppliers should check the specification carefully and, where relevant, describe their approach to bilingual service delivery in their bid.