Tender

School Meals Catering Service

LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

16 Jan 2026 at 12:39

Summary of the contracting process

The London Borough of Merton is inviting tenders for a School Meals Catering Service, set to commence in the Autumn term of the 2026/27 academic year. This service will cater to primary, special, and secondary schools within the borough, providing nutritionally balanced and sustainably sourced meals. The procurement process is open and falls under the industry category of school catering services. Prospective bidders should note the tender closing date of 20th February 2026. The contract period is from 3rd August 2026 to 2nd August 2029, and it involves service delivery within England, United Kingdom.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities for companies specialising in catering and nutrition services, especially those with experience in educational settings. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to apply, as the procurement process supports their participation. The open procedure allows a wide range of businesses to engage, with a contract valued at £30 million, promising substantial and sustained work for successful bidders.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

School Meals Catering Service

Notice Description

The Council is seeking to commission new school meals services on behalf of Primary, Special and Secondary schools within the borough. The new service will serve the children and young people together with teaching and support staff with high quality nutritionally balanced and sustainably sourced meals for the period commencing in the Autumn term of the 2026/27 academic year.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-532ef68b-7afb-4e22-b221-f58d7a94e52b
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a02c26ad-e527-451f-bd4f-b41f63db8b6f
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55523100 - School-meal services

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£30,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jan 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
20 Feb 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 2 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercial.services@merton.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MORDEN
Postcode
SM4 5DX
Post Town
Sutton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI6 Outer London - South
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI63 Merton, Kingston upon Thames and Sutton
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Merton
Electoral Ward
Merton Park
Westminster Constituency
Wimbledon

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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