If you want to bid for UK public sector contracts, you now need to be registered on the Central Digital Platform (CDP). Without CDP registration and a share code, many buyers will not accept your bid, no matter how strong it is.
The good news is that registration is free; it only needs to be done once, and you can start right now here: https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/organisation/register
This guide explains what the CDP is, what you need ready, and how to complete registration without delays.
How to register, step by step
Go to the registration page. Open https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/organisation/register.
Create or sign in with GOV.UK One Login. If you already use One Login for another government service, sign in. If not, create an account with your email address, verify it with the code you are sent, and set up two-factor security.
Complete your CDP user registration. Enter your first and last name and agree to the platform's privacy policy.
Register your organisation. Choose your organisation type, enter your Companies House number (or charity number, or other identifier) and your registered address. You become the first administrator for your organisation's account.
Enter your supplier information. Work through the sections for basic information, financial information, connected persons, qualifications and exclusions.
Declare and share. Confirm the information is accurate, then generate a share code. You will give this code to the buyer when you submit a bid, usually by pasting it into their tender portal.
Once done, you can add colleagues as users, and you only need to update your information when something changes.
What is the Central Digital Platform?
The CDP is the government's single online system for public procurement, introduced under the Procurement Act 2023. It went live on 24 February 2025 as an enhanced version of the Find a Tender service.
It does three main jobs for suppliers:
It is where contracting authorities publish notices, so you can search opportunities and set up alerts for free.
It stores your core business information once, so you can reuse it across every bid instead of filling in the same questionnaire again and again.
It generates a share code that you give to the buyer when you submit a tender, so they can see your verified details.
In practice, the CDP replaces much of the old standard selection questionnaire. You still complete the bid itself on the buyer's own portal, but your company details now live on the CDP.
Who needs to register, and when?
Any organisation that wants to bid for contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 should register. That includes limited companies, sole traders, partnerships, charities and other not-for-profit organisations.
The government's own advice is that you only need to register when you are ready to bid. Our advice is different: do it now. Registration itself is quick, but gathering the supporting information can take longer than expected, and the last thing you want is to discover a missing document two days before a tender deadline.
If you registered on the old Find a Tender service before February 2025, you will need to register again on the new platform. Using the same email address carries your saved searches across.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Leaving it to the last minute. Buyers expect your share code with your bid. Register well ahead of any deadline.
Using a personal email for the administrator account. Use a business address that someone else can access if the person who set it up leaves.
Getting connected persons wrong. Check your Companies House record for persons with significant control and make sure your entries match.
Forgetting to update. Your information must be accurate every time you share it. Review it after any change in directors, accreditations or accounts, and declare it again.
Paying for access. The CDP is free. You should never pay a third party just to view public sector opportunities.
Assuming the CDP is the bid. The share code supports your tender; it does not replace it. You still need to answer the buyer's quality and price questions on their own portal.
If you cannot access the platform close to a deadline, contact the buyer straight away. The regulations allow contingency arrangements, but only if you raise the problem in time.
Need a hand?
CDP registration is the first step. Winning the contract is the next. At Tender Solutions we help businesses get registered correctly, keep their supplier information up to date, and write bids that score well.
If you would like help registering on the CDP or preparing your next tender, get in touch and we will get you bid-ready.
Register now: https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/organisation/register
