Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why should I register? The Suffolk Chamber Supply Chain Engagement Portal is the go-to platform for locally and regionally based businesses seeking to grow their capabilities, skills, and opportunities to secure work on the Sizewell C project. Sizewell C is underpinned by a national commitment to achieving 70% UK content, with a clear overriding objective that prioritises Local > Regional > National procurement and engagement. Core commitments are closely aligned with the UK Government’s levelling-up agenda. Throughout the construction of Sizewell C, a total of £4.4 billion is expected to be invested in the East of England, of which £2.0 billion will be spent specifically within Suffolk. The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has identified three key areas of priority. The first is Local, which focuses on creating local jobs by employing people from the region, developing local skills through training and upskilling the workforce, generating opportunities both on and off site across the area, and encouraging joint ventures that promote collaboration over competition. The second area is Legacy, aiming to ensure a lasting and positive impact for Suffolk and the wider region by nurturing a business community equipped for future growth, preparing businesses for engagement with major infrastructure projects, enhancing diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, improving health, wellbeing and community cohesion, and supporting sustainable, proportionate economic growth. The third focus is the Environment, which includes supporting the UK’s 2050 net zero target, reducing environmental impact, and actively promoting gains in biodiversity. With over around 3,000 local and regional businesses, employing more than 900,000 people, already registered, the portal provides a comprehensive resource. It offers access to funding opportunities, tailored business support, project updates, and both recorded digital sessions and in-person events. Our engagement and support services are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors. We work to identify individual business needs and connect them with the right advice and opportunities, helping to strengthen the local and regional supply chain, while also supporting Tier 1 contractors involved in the project. When registering, businesses will be asked to identify whether they intend to work directly on-site as site contractors involved in construction activities, which requires providing financial information and details of quality management standards, or as indirect suppliers of off-site services such as transport, accommodation, catering, or office supplies, which involves a simpler registration process. Once submitted, registrations are reviewed and categorised accordingly: The details you submit will enable us to match your business’s skills and services with the procurement needs of Tier 1 contractors working on the future construction of Sizewell C.
2. My company is based in the East of England but not within Suffolk. Can I register? Please note that all businesses – regardless of location – must register with CompeteFor. CompeteFor is the only official platform for accessing and applying for competitively tendered Sizewell C contract opportunities. Make sure your CompeteFor profile is kept accurate and up to date, as all applications for specific work packages will be submitted through this portal.
Yes, the Suffolk Chamber Supply Chain Engagement Portal is the primary point of contact for businesses based in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex that wish to engage with the Sizewell C project.
3. Does Sizewell C exclude suppliers from outside local and regional areas? The Suffolk Chamber Supply Chain Engagement Portal is set-up to support businesses based in Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Essex. All businesses, regardless of location, are required to register with CompeteFor, the official platform for accessing and applying for competitively tendered contract opportunities related to Sizewell C.
Following the granting of the Development Consent Order (DCO) in 2024, Sizewell C has pledged to support regional spending commitments across the UK, including the East of England, the North, and Wales. However, if specialist scopes of work are required that cannot be sourced within these regions, Sizewell C will broaden its search on a national or even international scale.
Sizewell C has made a strong commitment to local and regional procurement, in line with the UK Government’s levelling-up agenda. The project is underpinned by a national objective to achieve 70% UK content, with a clear procurement priority: Local > Regional > National
4. I can’t log in. What should I do? Trouble accessing CompeteFor? Contacting the CompeteFor Helpdesk: Helpdesk hours:
If you’ve forgotten your password, use the ‘Forgotten Password’ option on the login page. Be sure to enter your registered company name exactly as it appears in your account.
For any further login issues, please contact the Suffolk Chamber Supply Chain Team for support.
CompeteFor is a tender portal for UK National Infrastructure projects, managed by BiP Solutions in Scotland. If you’re experiencing login problems, please contact the CompeteFor Helpdesk directly.
Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (excluding UK public holidays)
Calls from UK landlines are charged at local rates.
5. How do I maximise my portal entry? Provide a clear and detailed description of your business capabilities, including general operations. Use this section as an elevator pitch that outlines the services your business offers — avoid vague buzzwords. Ensure your financial turnover and business size are accurately recorded and kept up to date. Include all accreditations your business holds, along with supporting documentation. If you lack certain relevant accreditations, our Business Support Programme offers webinars, guidance, and advice to help you bridge the gap. We will soon be introducing Sizewell C’s essential standards questions. These mandatory questions will define the basic requirements for operating within the project. Once answered, your business will receive a rating, which will inform your next steps. Providing clear, detailed information will also enable us to invite you to sector-specific events, helping you maximise your opportunities to secure work on the project.
Use relevant keywords that reflect your core capabilities, specialist skills, and likely search terms. For example:
6. My company has previously worked on other nuclear projects, such as Hinkley Point C and Sizewell B. Do I still need to register?
Yes, registering on the portal will maximise your visibility and enable us to support your business throughout your Sizewell C journey.
7. Where can I find upcoming contracts to bid for? Publication of this pipeline does not imply a commitment to contractual arrangements or proceeding with procurement, as circumstances may change, affecting requirements, values, and timelines. This can be found on the CompeteFor portal.
Sizewell C has developed a procurement plan, presenting a forward look at anticipated procurement activity across the project. This commercial lookahead, refreshed quarterly, outlines contracts expected to be procured within the next six months.
8. How can I learn what Tier 1 contractors want? 9. What opportunities exist for Small Businesses? We encourage you to register for our upcoming events, where the team will be pleased to make relevant and timely introductions when appropriate. 10. What happens after I register? Once your submission is marked as ‘Complete’, don’t just leave your business profile as it is — continue to update and improve it regularly.
Make sure your portal information is always up to date, so your business is eligible to attend our scope specific ‘Meet the Buyer’ and ‘Roundtable’ events. These events offer you the chance to hear directly from Tier 1 contractors and Sizewell C.
There are numerous opportunities for small businesses to secure work on the project, including through collaborations across the supply chain.
Your submission will be assessed as:
Don’t just wait to hear about opportunities, be proactive: attend events, sign up to the newsletter, engage with our social media.