Security tenders on this page are physical security contracts: static guarding of council buildings, hospitals and universities, mobile patrols, keyholding and alarm response, and events security. Looking for penetration testing, SOC or security software contracts? See cyber security tenders. Buyers publish them on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder. This page explains what buyers usually ask security contractors for, starting with the licensing that is a legal requirement rather than a preference, and how a smaller firm can win. Our tender eligibility checker is coming soon. Until then, tell us your trade and postcode to join the free weekly list of live tenders, starting soon.
What buyers usually ask security contractors for
In security tenders, the first item below is law. The rest are what buyers may check, and the tender pack has the detail.
SIA licences
It is an offence to engage in licensable conduct except under and in accordance with a licence. The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator of the UK’s private security industry. According to its gov.uk guidance, licensable activities are manned guarding (security guarding, door supervision, public space surveillance (CCTV), close protection, and cash and valuables in transit), key holding, and vehicle immobilising in Northern Ireland only.
Don’t read that as “every member of staff needs a licence”. In-house staff usually don’t, with exceptions such as door supervision at licensed premises. Contract guards do, and so will the directors, partners, managers or supervisors of a firm that supplies operatives under a contract for services, who need a front line or non-front line SIA licence. Expect to evidence licences for the people you name.
The Approved Contractor Scheme
Separately, businesses can apply for approved contractor status and must pass the SIA’s application checks to get it. Licences are the law, and approval is a different thing. Whether a buyer asks for it, scores it or requires it is set in the pack.
The gov.uk page lists the eligibility points. You must have provided the services for at least 12 months, supply at least two licensable operatives in each activity you want approved, and the people you deploy on regulated activity must be employees (or employees for tax purposes).
Staff vetting and screening
The buyer sets the screening standard in the tender pack. For sites with children or patients, DBS checks come in four types, and Standard and Enhanced checks are only available where the role meets the legal criteria (England and Wales), while Basic checks are open to anyone, per the DBS eligibility guidance.
Insurance
Employers’ liability insurance is compulsory for employers in Great Britain, with limited exemptions (1969 Act), with cover of at least £5 million. Public liability has no statutory figure, so the buyer sets it. See how much public liability cover buyers ask for. In the week to 10 Oct 2026, only 29 of 470 live notices stated insurance requirements (about 6%, as of 10 Oct 2026).
TUPE on re-tender
When guarding moves to a new contractor, a service provision change under TUPE can transfer staff to you. The conditions include an organised grouping of employees in Great Britain whose principal purpose is the client’s guarding. Ask for staffing information early and price for it.
How to win security contracts
Bid by site or area, and use the below-threshold rules
On above-threshold contracts, buyers must consider splitting a contract into lots, or give reasons for not doing so. For light-touch contracts the buyer doesn’t have to justify in the tender notice a decision not to use lots (regulation 18(2)(q), per the light-touch guidance). A council or health trust may split guarding by site or area, so bid for the lots you can cover with licensed, supervised staff.
Security services are on the light-touch list, where the full Act rules start at £663,540 including VAT (PPN 023). Below the threshold that applies, a buyer inviting tenders can’t run a separate suitability stage before tenders are submitted, but it can still assess suitability at the award stage (Welsh devolved buyers and framework call-offs aside; see also the below-threshold guidance). It must also consider the barriers SMEs face.
If a buyer advertises a below-threshold contract worth £12,000 or more (central government, including NHS trusts) or £30,000 or more (other authorities), including VAT, it must first publish a below-threshold tender notice. Buyers can also invite quotes from chosen suppliers without advertising, as the gov.uk guidance explains.
Price pay, holiday, overtime and TUPE honestly
Guarding is priced by the hour, so small errors multiply. Build the rate from what you actually pay, then add holiday and sickness cover, overtime, supervision, uniform and any transferred staff. A rate that looks cheap at tender can become unsustainable once holiday and overtime hit. If the hours or shift pattern look wrong, ask a clarification question rather than guess.
Mobilisation, supervision and reporting
Show how the first week works: who is on site, who supervises, how a missing officer is covered and how incidents are reported. If you use patrol-tracking or reporting software, say what the buyer sees and when. Name a contingency for sickness at short notice.
Social value
Central government departments, their executive agencies and NDPBs must give social value at least a 10% weighting on above-threshold contracts where it is relevant and proportionate (PPN 002). Local recruitment and training are natural fits for guarding. Be specific about numbers you can deliver.
Common pitfalls
- unrealistic hourly rates that ignore holiday, overtime and TUPE
- not checking licences for every named officer
- no contingency cover for sickness
- bidding for sites outside your realistic travel range
Who buys security guarding
Councils, NHS trusts, universities and central government departments buy guarding for buildings, car parks and events. In the week to 10 Oct 2026 there were 52 live notices in the business services division (the parent sector, not security alone), as of 10 Oct 2026. See business services tenders for the wider group. If guarding is one service among several, look at facilities management tenders, and read how to win council contracts as a small business.
Questions
Do all security officers on a public contract need an SIA licence?
Not every member of staff in every setting, but contract guards do. It is an offence to engage in licensable conduct without a licence, and licensable conduct includes guarding under a contract for services. In-house staff usually don't need one, with exceptions such as door supervision at licensed premises. Directors, partners, managers and supervisors of a firm that supplies operatives under a contract for services will need a front line or non-front line SIA licence.
Is the SIA Approved Contractor Scheme required to win tenders?
Licences are the law. Approval under the Approved Contractor Scheme is a separate SIA process that you apply for and pass checks to obtain. Whether a buyer asks for it, scores it or requires it is set in the tender pack, so read the pack rather than assume.
Where are UK security tenders advertised?
Notices go on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder, and TenderWorthy covers both. Scottish public bodies must advertise regulated procurements on the Public Contracts Scotland website, which TenderWorthy doesn't cover.
Does TUPE apply when I win a security contract?
It can. When a guarding contract moves to a new contractor, a service provision change can transfer the staff who mainly worked on it, if the activities are fundamentally the same and the other conditions are met. It won't always apply, so ask for staffing information early and take advice.
Can a small security company win council contracts?
Yes, particularly on smaller contracts and lots. Below the relevant threshold, a buyer inviting tenders can't run a separate suitability stage before tenders are submitted, but it can still assess suitability at the award stage (Welsh devolved buyers and framework call-offs aside). It must also consider the barriers SMEs face. Look for lots by site or area that you can staff, and check that every named officer holds the right licence.