Procurement

Our procurement activities are governed by the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations, which came into force in February 2025. These reforms introduce a more flexible and transparent procurement regime, making it easier for suppliers to engage with public sector opportunities.

Suppliers are encouraged to register on the UK’s public procurement e-notification system - Find a Tender Service. This is where suppliers can search and apply for opportunities across the public sector.

You can also browse AHDB's tendering opportunities and manage your tender activity (registration is required) via Defra's e-tendering site. 

Where possible AHDB will buy common goods and services through “framework agreements” put in place by Government Commercial Agency (GCA). You can search tender opportunities on GCA to find out how to become a public sector supplier.

Goods and services contract

Our goods and services contract can be downloaded using the link at the top of this page. The contract template may be updated at any time by publication on this website, it is the suppliers' responsibility to keep themselves aware of any changes. 

Previous versions can be obtained on request to the Legal Adviser at legal@ahdb.org.uk

The UK subsidy control regime has replaced State Aid

After the UK left the EU on 31 December 2020, the EU’s State Aid regulations, which provided rules on what could give an 'unlawful advantage', were replaced on 1 January 2021 with the UK’s international subsidy control commitments.

AHDB funding is public money. It cannot be used to give organisations an unfair advantage over others – this would be against the law.

The UK’s new international subsidy control commitments now provide the rules and processes we must follow.

The Subsidy Control Act 2022 came into force on 4 January 2023, replacing previous EU State Aid regulation for awarding subsidies. The Act is the framework for the provision of subsidies. It builds on the provisions in the subsidy control chapters of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement, which applied in the interim after the UK’s exit from the EU. In the Act, a subsidy means financial assistance which:

1. Is given, directly or indirectly, from public resources by a public authority.
2. Confers an economic advantage on one or more enterprises.
3. Is specific, that is, such that it benefits one or more enterprises over one or more other enterprises with respect to the production of goods or the provision of services, and
4. Has, or is capable of having, an effect on:
   • Competition or investment within the United Kingdom
   • Trade between the United Kingdom and a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, or
   • Investment as between the United Kingdom and a country or territory outside the United Kingdom

Any award AHDB makes must be legal, and we must ensure that we only make awards which minimise any negative effects on competition or investment between the UK and a country or territory outside the UK, as well as promoting the effective use of public money.