What Are GETS Tenders? A Beginner’s Guide for Small New Zealand Businesses

Winning government work can help a small business build reliable revenue, strengthen its reputation and create new growth opportunities. However, knowing where to find suitable contracts and understanding the terminology can feel daunting when you are starting out.

This guide explains what GETS is, how to search for opportunities and what to look for before deciding whether to submit a tender.

What is GETS?

GETS stands for the Government Electronic Tender Service. It is the online platform used by New Zealand government agencies and other public organisations to advertise contract opportunities.

GETS is managed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and is designed to support open, transparent and fair competition between suppliers. The service is free to use.

Opportunities advertised on GETS can cover almost every industry, including:

• Construction and trades

• Professional and consulting services

• Technology and telecommunications

• Security and facilities management

• Healthcare and social services

• Transport and logistics

• Equipment and product supply

• Marketing, design and communications

Government agencies covered by the Government Procurement Rules generally need to advertise opportunities on GETS when the estimated value reaches $100,000 for goods, services or refurbishment works, or $9 million for new construction works, unless an exemption applies. Smaller opportunities may also be advertised.

Can small businesses tender through GETS?

Yes. GETS is not only for large national companies.

Many government buyers are interested in working with small and medium-sized New Zealand businesses, particularly when they can offer:

• Specialist expertise

• Strong local knowledge

• Responsive customer service

• Innovative or flexible solutions

• Positive social, economic or environmental outcomes

• Better value for money

Some contracts may be too large for your business to deliver alone. However, you may still be able to participate as a subcontractor, joint venture partner or member of a wider supplier team.

The important thing is to focus on opportunities that genuinely match your experience, resources and ability to deliver.

Common GETS tender types

GETS listings use several different acronyms. The most common include:

FPO – Future Procurement Opportunity

An early notice that an agency may release a tender in the future. It gives you time to prepare, but it is not a commitment that the opportunity will proceed.

ROI or EOI – Registration or Expression of Interest

An initial stage used to identify and shortlist suitable suppliers before a more detailed tender is released.

RFI – Request for Information

A buyer is gathering information about the market, available solutions or supplier capability. It may lead to a future tender.

RFQ – Request for Quote

The buyer is usually seeking a relatively straightforward solution, with price often playing an important role.

RFP – Request for Proposal

Suppliers are asked to explain their proposed solution, experience, approach, team and pricing.

RFT – Request for Tender

A more formal request for suppliers to submit an offer against clearly defined requirements.

GETS provides a complete list of the acronyms used to classify opportunities.

How to register for GETS

You can view the list of current opportunities without registering. However, you need a supplier account to access detailed documents, subscribe to opportunities, receive notifications and respond to tenders.

Registration is free. You will need:

• Your business or trading name

• Your business address

• Your contact details

• An individual RealMe login

• Your NZBN, where applicable

From the GETS website, select Supplier Login and sign in using RealMe. You can then create a new supplier account, search for your business using its NZBN or company name, complete your details and verify your email address.

How to search for GETS tenders

Once registered, there are several ways to find relevant opportunities.

1. Search using relevant keywords

Start with words that describe the services or products your business provides.

For example:

• Electrical maintenance

• Commercial cleaning

• Security services

• Civil construction

• Website development

• Recruitment services

• Staff training

• Professional consultancy

Avoid using only one narrow phrase. Government buyers may describe the same service differently, so try several related terms.

2. Use the advanced search filters

GETS advanced search can help you narrow the results by:

• Buying organisation

• Tender status

• Category

• Region

• Tender type

• Keywords or tender reference

When using advanced search, you need to enter at least one search term. Searching by the tender’s RFx identification number is the most accurate option when you already know the reference.

3. Set your tender notification preferences

Configure your account so you receive notifications for the categories and regions relevant to your business.

Be selective. Choosing too many broad categories can fill your inbox with unsuitable opportunities, making it easier to overlook the tenders that matter.

4. Review Future Procurement Opportunities

Do not look only at tenders that are already open.

The Future Procurement Opportunities section provides early notice of contracts agencies may release. Following these listings gives your business more time to research the buyer, prepare documents, develop partnerships and assess whether the opportunity is a good fit.

5. Subscribe to relevant notices

When you find a suitable opportunity, open the listing and select Subscribe to this Notice for full access.

Subscribing allows you to:

• Access the full tender information

• Download tender documents

• Receive updates and notices

• View answers to supplier questions

• Track changes to dates or requirements

Subscribed opportunities can be accessed through the Subscribed Tender Notices section of your account.

What should you check before tendering?

Finding a tender does not necessarily mean you should respond to it.

Before investing time and money, check:

• Does the opportunity match your core services?

• Can you meet every mandatory requirement?

• Do you have relevant experience and evidence?

• Can you deliver within the required location and timeframe?

• Do you have enough people and resources?

• Is the likely contract value commercially worthwhile?

• Can you prepare a quality response before the deadline?

• Would winning the contract support your wider business goals?

A focused decision can save your business from spending valuable time on an opportunity it has little chance of winning.

Prepare your tender information early

Tender deadlines can be tight. Preparing commonly requested information in advance will make the process easier.

Create a central library containing:

• Company information

• Team CVs

• Relevant case studies

• Client references

• Performance results and statistics

• Health and safety documents

• Quality and environmental policies

• Insurance and compliance certificates

• Standard service delivery information

New Zealand Government Procurement recommends preparing these materials before you begin competing for tenders so they can be adapted for each opportunity.

Start small and be selective

Your first GETS tender does not need to be a large national contract.

Look for opportunities where your business has a strong and credible reason to win. That might be specialist expertise, experience in the buyer’s sector, an established local team or a particularly strong understanding of the required outcomes.

The goal is not to respond to every tender. It is to identify the right opportunities and submit clear, evidence-based responses that show the buyer why your business is the right choice.

Need help with a GETS opportunity?

Kiwi Bid Support helps New Zealand businesses identify, evaluate and respond to government tender opportunities.

Whether you need help deciding whether to bid, managing the full tender process or improving a draft response, our team can provide practical support throughout the process.