Freedom of Information (FOI) request tool

While anyone can write an FOI request, our tool removes the three biggest barriers to success: Time, Effort, and Exposure.

• The “Middleman” Advantage: We send the request on your behalf. This allows you to investigate competitors and buyers with total anonymity, protecting your current relationships while you gather intelligence.
• Eliminate Admin: We find the right department and prepopulate the request for you. You do not have to hunt for contact details or worry about the formatting; you can just click “Send.”
• Contextual Accuracy: Because the tool is built into our database, your request automatically includes a link to the original notice. This ensures the authority knows exactly which contract you are asking about, reducing the chance of them asking for “clarification” and delaying your response.

Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA), you have a legal right to access information recorded by public bodies. Since public sector spending uses taxpayer money, authorities are legally obligated to provide non-confidential information within 20 working days. This ensures total accountability and transparency in how contracts are awarded.

If you are conducting public sector market research, FOI requests give you access to data that is often shielded from the public eye. The most strategic times to use one are:

• When a Contract Award Notice (CAN) is missing: For many Below-Threshold contracts, a CAN is never officially published. An FOI is the only way to “force” that data into the light.
• When you need “Deep Data”: CANs are often summaries. If you need specific bidder names, scoring ranks, or the actual winning bid documents, an FOI is your only channel.
• When you suspect a breach of regulations: If a procurement feels non-compliant with procurement regulations, an FOI provides the evidence needed to review your assumptions and protect your interests.

An FOI should be used strategically. You may not need one if:

• The data is already public: If a comprehensive Contract Award Notices (CAN) is already available, the authority will likely just point you toward it, wasting 20 days of your time.
• You are in the middle of a live bid: During a live tender, all questions should go through the official “Clarification” channel. This ensures all bidders receive the same information at the same time.
• You have a strong direct relationship: If you have an open dialogue with a buyer, a simple phone call or email can often be faster and provide more “colour” than a formal FOI process.

We recommend first engaging in dialogue with contracting authorities to request information. This can help you build relationships with buyers, while also allowing you to ask a greater range of questions and access information not covered within an FOI request. However, there are some instances where formally making an FOI request first would be beneficial.