Public sector website tender for a UK council in London: process and budget

The verdict in three sentences

Rebuilding the website of a London borough council or similar public body, around 80 pages, costs roughly 25,000 to 100,000 GBP excluding VAT in 2026, which usually keeps the purchase below the procurement threshold but well above the level where a notice must be published. The communications or digital lead should allow 3 to 5 months from specification to contract award, with a common weighting of 60% quality and 40% price, often including a social value element. Accessibility is not optional: public sector bodies must meet WCAG 2.2 AA and publish an accessibility statement, so it belongs in the specification and the acceptance tests.

The thresholds that set the route to market

Since the Procurement Act 2023 came into force on 24 February 2025, English councils follow a single regime. The route depends on the total estimated value, including VAT, over the whole contract term, support and hosting included. The classic mistake is estimating the build only and forgetting three years of support, which can push the contract over a threshold.

Below 30,000 GBP the process is light, but councils still need value for money and fair treatment under their contract standing orders.

Budgets seen for an 80 page public site

Figures below are 2026 orders of magnitude from published award notices and framework call-offs for councils, housing bodies and arm's length organisations in London and the South East.

Kolonell answers this kind of tender on quote, with a detailed method statement, an accessibility approach and a go-live plan, and no public price for institutional sites.

The 3 to 5 month timeline and the documents involved

The tender pack usually contains: instructions to suppliers, the specification, terms and conditions (often the council's standard digital services terms or framework terms), a pricing schedule and evaluation criteria. On the supplier side the agency provides the standard selection questionnaire answers, insurance certificates (professional indemnity often 1 to 5 million GBP), Cyber Essentials certification, comparable case studies and the quality response.

Typical timeline: 3 to 5 weeks to write the specification with services, 3 to 4 weeks for suppliers to respond, 2 to 3 weeks of evaluation and clarification, then a standstill period of 8 working days where it applies and the contract award notice. Delivery then takes 4 to 6 months.

To make the 60% quality weighting meaningful, split it into scored sub-criteria: approach and plan (20%), accessibility and sustainability (15%), team (10%), CMS demonstration (15%), with social value as a separate 10% where council policy requires it.

Mini case study

Priya, digital communications manager at a London borough council, first estimates the rebuild at 28,000 GBP and plans a quick three quote exercise. Adding three years of support at 6,000 GBP a year and an accessibility audit at 4,000 GBP, the total reaches 50,000 GBP excluding VAT, 60,000 GBP with VAT: she must publish a below-threshold notice.

She receives 8 bids. The cheapest is 36,000 GBP over three years but scores 30 out of 60 on quality; another is 48,000 GBP with 53 out of 60. With price scored as 40 × (lowest bid / bid), the first gets 40 + 30 = 70 points, the second 30 + 53 = 83 points. The 12,000 GBP gap over three years, around 330 GBP a month, buys a clearly stronger delivery and accessibility plan.

FAQ

Should support be included in the estimated value?

Yes, the value covers the full term including extensions, and under the Act it is calculated including VAT. Three years of support at 6,000 GBP adds 18,000 GBP and can move a project over 30,000 GBP.

Is accessibility a legal requirement for a council website?

Yes, the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations 2018 require WCAG 2.2 AA and a published accessibility statement. The Government Digital Service monitors compliance and can request fixes.

Can we ask bidders for design concepts?

You can, but unpaid concepts put off good agencies. A CMS demonstration or a paid discovery of 3,000 to 8,000 GBP is a better practice.

How many bids should we expect?

A well-advertised 40,000 to 100,000 GBP website notice typically attracts 6 to 15 bids. A precise specification narrows price gaps, which can otherwise vary by a factor of 3.

Can an agency outside the UK bid?

Yes, if it meets the selection criteria, insurance and security requirements such as Cyber Essentials. The specification may require 2 to 3 on-site workshops.

Let's scope your project. We review your specification or help you shape it, then deliver a method statement and a 4 to 6 month delivery plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.