# Uk Contracts Finder Scraper (`b2b_lead_generation/uk-contracts-finder-scraper`) Actor

Collect UK public procurement notices, tenders, and awards from Contracts Finder. Filter by keyword, status, or date, and export clean results as JSON, CSV, or Excel for seamless bid tracking and pipeline analysis.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/b2b_lead_generation/uk-contracts-finder-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [B2B Lead Generation](https://apify.com/b2b_lead_generation) (community)
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $2.99 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## UK Contracts Finder Scraper

UK Contracts Finder Scraper collects public procurement notices directly into an Apify dataset that you can export as JSON, CSV, or Excel.

### Use cases

- **Bid tracking**: Pull open contract notices matching keywords like software or technology services.
- **Buyer lists**: Collect organisation names, postcodes, and contract values from recent awards and live tenders.
- **Pipeline watch**: Filter by status, type, region, value, or published dates.
- **Spreadsheet handoff**: Download the dataset as CSV or Excel for your CRM or pipeline review.

### Input parameters

| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `mode` | string | `search` | `search` for keyword search, or `ocds` for feed iteration. |
| `keyword` | string | `software` | Search text for finding relevant notices. |
| `statuses` | array | `["Open"]` | Status filter: Open, Closed, Awarded, Withdrawn. |
| `types` | array | `["Contract"]` | Notice type: Contract, Opportunity, EarlyEngagement, FutureOpportunity. |
| `regions` | array | empty | Region names to filter by. |
| `valueFrom` | integer | empty | Minimum contract value in pounds. |
| `valueTo` | integer | empty | Maximum contract value in pounds. |
| `publishedFrom` | string | empty | ISO date or date-time, inclusive. |
| `publishedTo` | string | empty | ISO date or date-time, inclusive. |
| `maxItems` | integer | `100` | Row cap (hard maximum 1000). |
| `requestDelaySecs` | integer | `1` | Pause between requests. |
| `timeoutSecs` | integer | `300` | Stop the run after this many seconds. |
| `requestTimeoutSecs` | integer | `30` | Per-request timeout in seconds. |
| `userAgent` | string | B2B Lead GenerationActorResearch/1.0 | Contact string sent on requests. |

#### Example input

```json
{
  "mode": "search",
  "keyword": "software",
  "types": ["Contract"],
  "statuses": ["Open"],
  "maxItems": 100,
  "requestDelaySecs": 1,
  "timeoutSecs": 300,
  "requestTimeoutSecs": 30,
  "userAgent": ""
}

```

### What data does this actor extract?

Each notice row uses clean field names for easy spreadsheet and database exports:

```json
{
  "id": "25ca0d93-b1f4-420e-8355-c4882a6ffc35",
  "noticeTitle": "CA18471 - Lionheart Educational Trust - HR & Payroll Software and Managed Payroll Services",
  "organisationName": "Lionheart Educational Trust",
  "noticeDescription": "Lionheart Educational Trust is looking for a single supplier for their HR & Payroll Software and Managed Payroll Services requirements.",
  "cpvDescription": "Personnel and payroll services and Payroll management services and Time accounting or human resources software package",
  "publishedDate": "2026-09-17T10:42:12+01:00",
  "deadlineDate": "2026-10-26T10:00:00Z",
  "valueLow": 600000,
  "valueHigh": 600000,
  "postcode": "LE1 6JL",
  "noticeStatus": "Open",
  "noticeType": "Contract",
  "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/25ca0d93-b1f4-420e-8355-c4882a6ffc35",
  "scraped_at": "2026-10-12T00:00:00+00:00"
}

```

| Field | Type | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `id` | string | Notice unique identifier. |
| `noticeTitle` | string | Notice title with HTML entities decoded. |
| `organisationName` | string | Buyer or organisation name. |
| `noticeDescription` | string | Summary or description text. |
| `cpvDescription` | string | CPV classification wording. |
| `publishedDate` | string | Publication timestamp. |
| `deadlineDate` | string | Submission deadline or end date. |
| `valueLow` | number | Lower bound value in pounds. |
| `valueHigh` | number | Upper bound value in pounds. |
| `postcode` | string | Location postcode when available. |
| `noticeStatus` | string | Current notice status. |
| `noticeType` | string | Notice or opportunity type. |
| `url` | string | Direct link to the notice. |
| `scraped_at` | string | Timestamp when the row was recorded. |

### FAQ

**How do I export CSV or Excel?**
Open the run's dataset in Apify and download CSV or Excel directly, or use the dataset output endpoints.

**How many notices can one run save?**
`maxItems` controls the row cap, defaulting to 100 with a maximum of 1000 per run.

**What happens if a request fails?**
The actor writes an error row with details while allowing successful records to save normally without crashing the run.

***

#### Trademark Notice

UK Contracts Finder and related names, logos, and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Their use in this documentation is solely to identify the data source and does not imply affiliation or sponsorship.

#### Disclaimer

This Actor is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by UK Contracts Finder or its operators. All data is collected from publicly available sources. Users are responsible for complying with applicable terms and licensing requirements.

#### Is web scraping legal?

This Actor only collects publicly available data without bypassing any access controls. Scraping public information is generally standard practice, but how you use the data matters:

- **Personal data:** If results include personal details, applicable privacy regulations such as GDPR or CCPA may apply. Only collect and store personal information when you have a legitimate purpose.
- **Copyright:** Content such as descriptions or text may be subject to copyright. Avoid republishing full copyrighted materials without permission.
- **Terms of use:** Respect source guidelines and rate limits.
- **Legal advice:** This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a professional if you have specific legal questions.

To learn more, read Apify's guide: [Is web scraping legal?](https://blog.apify.com/is-web-scraping-legal/)

# Actor input Schema

## `mode` (type: `string`):

Notice search posts the public search API. OCDS by date reads the published Open Contracting feed and follows its next link.

## `keyword` (type: `string`):

Text matched against notice search. Used in search mode. Example: software.

## `statuses` (type: `array`):

Notice statuses for search mode. Typical values: Open, Closed, Awarded, Withdrawn.

## `types` (type: `array`):

Notice types for search mode. Typical values: Contract, Opportunity, EarlyEngagement, FutureOpportunity.

## `regions` (type: `array`):

Region names for search mode, using Contracts Finder region names. Leave empty to skip the region filter.

## `valueFrom` (type: `integer`):

Lowest contract value in pounds included in search mode. Leave empty to set no minimum.

## `valueTo` (type: `integer`):

Highest contract value in pounds included in search mode. Leave empty to set no maximum.

## `publishedFrom` (type: `string`):

Inclusive start of the published window, as an ISO date or date-time. Used by search and OCDS modes. Leave empty to omit.

## `publishedTo` (type: `string`):

Inclusive end of the published window, as an ISO date or date-time. Used by search and OCDS modes. Leave empty to omit.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Maximum notice rows to save this run. Hard cap is 1000.

## `requestDelaySecs` (type: `integer`):

Pause between HTTP calls. The actor never goes faster than 1 request per second, even if this is 0.

## `timeoutSecs` (type: `integer`):

Stop the run after this many seconds. Default is 300. Maximum is 3600.

## `requestTimeoutSecs` (type: `integer`):

How long to wait for one HTTP response before giving up. Default is 30 seconds.

## `userAgent` (type: `string`):

User-Agent sent on every request. Keep a contact address so the source can identify the client.

## `proxyConfiguration` (type: `object`):

Optional proxy for requests. Default is no proxy. Turn on Apify Proxy only if you need another IP.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "mode": "search",
  "keyword": "software",
  "statuses": [
    "Open"
  ],
  "types": [
    "Contract"
  ],
  "regions": [
    "East of England"
  ],
  "valueFrom": 10000,
  "valueTo": 500000,
  "publishedFrom": "2026-10-01",
  "publishedTo": "2026-10-11T22:26:59+01:00",
  "maxItems": 100,
  "requestDelaySecs": 1,
  "timeoutSecs": 300,
  "requestTimeoutSecs": 30,
  "userAgent": "",
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `overview` (type: `string`):

Notice titles, buyers, summaries and deadlines.

## `values` (type: `string`):

Contract values, status, type and postcode.

## `errors` (type: `string`):

Failed request rows, if any.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "mode": "search",
    "keyword": "software",
    "statuses": [
        "Open"
    ],
    "types": [
        "Contract"
    ],
    "maxItems": 100,
    "requestDelaySecs": 1,
    "timeoutSecs": 300,
    "requestTimeoutSecs": 30,
    "userAgent": "",
    "proxyConfiguration": {
        "useApifyProxy": false
    }
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("b2b_lead_generation/uk-contracts-finder-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "mode": "search",
    "keyword": "software",
    "statuses": ["Open"],
    "types": ["Contract"],
    "maxItems": 100,
    "requestDelaySecs": 1,
    "timeoutSecs": 300,
    "requestTimeoutSecs": 30,
    "userAgent": "",
    "proxyConfiguration": { "useApifyProxy": False },
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("b2b_lead_generation/uk-contracts-finder-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "mode": "search",
  "keyword": "software",
  "statuses": [
    "Open"
  ],
  "types": [
    "Contract"
  ],
  "maxItems": 100,
  "requestDelaySecs": 1,
  "timeoutSecs": 300,
  "requestTimeoutSecs": 30,
  "userAgent": "",
  "proxyConfiguration": {
    "useApifyProxy": false
  }
}' |
apify call b2b_lead_generation/uk-contracts-finder-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,b2b_lead_generation/uk-contracts-finder-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/mMN9TOjPVfuAuge60/builds/XUwem9VpHxGPLvQbS/openapi.json