The verdict in three sentences
Councils and council-owned companies in the UK are contracting authorities under the Procurement Act 2023, in force since 24 February 2025: above the regulated thresholds, a website rebuild requires a competitive tendering procedure, and below them most authorities still apply internal rules requiring quotes or a light tender. A grid weighting quality at 60 to 70% and price at 30 to 40% picks better suppliers than a race to the bottom, provided the sub-criteria are measurable. Supplier presentations and an exit clause are the two levers that best protect the buyer.
Thresholds and procedures in 2026
| Estimated contract value | Procedure | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Below roughly 30,000 GBP | Internal rules, usually 3 quotes | None required |
| 30,000 GBP up to the regulated threshold | Below-threshold competition | Contracts Finder / Central Digital Platform |
| Above the sub-central threshold, around 200,000 GBP incl. VAT | Competitive flexible or open procedure | Central Digital Platform tender notice |
| Framework call-off (G-Cloud, Digital Outcomes) | Further competition or direct award | Per framework rules |
| 4-year maintenance agreement | Based on total estimated value | Whole-life value counts |
Watch how the value is calculated: it includes the build, but also maintenance, hosting and planned changes over the contract term. A 30,000 GBP site with 4 years of maintenance at 5,000 GBP per year reaches 50,000 GBP. Many authorities use G-Cloud to shortcut the process for standard website services.
Typical budgets for a public-body website rebuild
These ranges are 2026 orders of magnitude taken from published contract award notices for councils and council-owned companies.
| Website type | Scope | Build budget | Annual maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regeneration company, corporate site | 30 to 60 pages, news, projects | 20,000 to 35,000 GBP | 2,500 to 5,000 GBP |
| Housing company with listings | Listings, filters, forms | 35,000 to 55,000 GBP | 4,000 to 8,000 GBP |
| Transport or energy company | User portal, live info, multilingual | 45,000 to 70,000 GBP | 7,000 to 13,000 GBP |
| WCAG 2.2 AA audit included | Full criteria | +2,500 to 5,000 GBP | Re-audit +1,300 GBP |
| UK-hosted infrastructure | UK data centre | Included or separate | 1,300 to 5,000 GBP |
Building a scoring grid that actually selects
The most common flaw in tender documents is a single quality criterion scored on gut feeling. Break it into measurable sub-criteria and publish them in the tender notice.
| Criterion | Suggested weighting | How to score it |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-life price (build + 4 years) | 30 to 40% | Proportional formula against lowest bid |
| Methodology and plan | 15 to 20% | Milestones, deliverables, risk management |
| Design quality or references | 15 to 20% | 3 comparable references with URLs |
| Accessibility, sustainability, performance | 10 to 15% | Quantified commitments: WCAG, Lighthouse, page weight |
| Named team | 10% | Named CVs, availability |
| Presentation | 10 to 15% | 45 minutes, case brief sent 5 days ahead |
In the contract, include reasonable delay damages, for example 0.1% of the value per day capped at 10%, and an exit clause: source code, admin access, content export and documentation handed over at the end. Require ownership of the code or a broad licence, otherwise switching supplier means a rebuild.
Mini case study
James, procurement lead at a council-owned regeneration company in Bristol, estimates 32,000 GBP for the build plus 4 years of maintenance at 4,500 GBP, or 50,000 GBP: he runs a below-threshold competition. He receives 9 bids between 26,000 and 62,000 GBP. The cheapest scores 40 out of 40 on price but 28 out of 60 on quality, with no plan and no WCAG commitment. A 41,000 GBP bid scores 25.4 on price and 52 on quality, 77.4 against 68 points.
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The 15,000 GBP gap is offset by the included WCAG audit, avoiding a separate 4,000 GBP engagement, and by a 14-week plan backed by delay damages. James records the scoring in the evaluation report, which protects the award against challenge.
FAQ
Is a council-owned company always covered by the Procurement Act?
In most cases yes, because it is controlled by public bodies and meets needs in the general interest. A purely commercial company operating in a competitive market may fall outside, which justifies a legal review costing 800 to 1,700 GBP.
Can we ask for free design concepts?
It is poor practice and deters good agencies. If you require concepts, pay shortlisted bidders an honorarium, often 1,300 to 2,500 GBP each, or use a presentation on a case brief instead.
How long from notice to contract award?
Plan 8 to 12 weeks: 4 weeks for bids, 2 to 3 weeks of evaluation, presentations, then an 8 working-day standstill period for above-threshold contracts.
Should we specify a particular CMS?
Avoid naming a brand without the words or equivalent. Express requirements instead: open-source CMS, approval workflow, editor roles.
How do we handle an abnormally low tender?
If a bid is 30% or more below the average, ask for written justification of the person-days. The Act lets you exclude it if the explanation is not convincing.
Let's scope your project. Share your specification or draft tender documents, and we will reply with a detailed cost breakdown, a delivery plan and our accessibility and performance commitments. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
