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Water Cooler Solutions

Waythrough

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

28 Aug 2026 at 11:12

Award Notice
Award

10 Jan 2024 at 16:06

Award Notice
Tender

19 Jun 2023 at 19:04

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Waythrough is participating in the Water Cooler Solutions framework, bought through Kent County Council’s Procurement Services. The requirement is for public-sector water cooler goods and services: bottled-water cooler units, mains-fed coolers, hot and cold water taps and hot-water boilers. Suppliers may provide bottled-water deliveries, installation, leasing, rental or outright purchase, regular servicing and sanitation, and recyclable cups and accessories. The framework is intended for public bodies across the United Kingdom, including local authorities, the police and fire services, the NHS and NHS trusts, housing associations, third-sector organisations, academic institutions, publicly funded organisations and publicly owned private companies. The procurement is classified as water coolers (CPV 31141000) and is primarily for supplying, installing and maintaining water cooler solutions.

This procurement has been awarded through an open procedure for a framework agreement, with written submissions in English. Tender submissions were due on 4 August 2023 at 2pm, with bid opening and the award period beginning at 2.15pm the same day. The framework’s estimated value is £400,000,000, with a stated value of £100,000,000 for the Water Cooler Solutions lot and a 1,440-day contract duration. The water cooler award was made to Culligan (UK) Limited; a further Waythrough water cooler award was also made to Culligan. The latter contract is active, valued at £270,906, and was signed on 28 August 2026. Evaluation weighted framework delivery at 30%, service and account management at 40%, standards, regulations and policies at 20%, and social value at 10%; price carried no weighting.

This outcome indicates demand for a supplier able to deliver a managed water-cooler service rather than only sell equipment. A credible competitor would need capability across bottled and mains-fed units, hot-water boilers and hot-and-cold taps, with installation, delivery, leasing or rental, outright purchase and ongoing maintenance offered to suit different public-sector sites. Regular sanitation and servicing capacity, reliable logistics for bottled water, and the ability to supply recyclable cups and accessories are central requirements. The framework also shows that service and account management were more heavily weighted than framework delivery, while compliance with standards, regulations and policies and social value were material considerations. The requirement can suit an SME, but national public-sector coverage and consistent operational support would strengthen a future response.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Water Cooler Solutions

Notice Description

Supply, install and maintenance of water cooler solutions

Lot Information

Catering - Education Only

This LOT is for the supply of a lunchtime catering service to any education establishment. In addition to a lunchtime service Customers may also require other Services which may include, but not be limited to, breakfast, mid-morning break and after school Services. Suppliers awarded onto this LOT are expected to: *Be able to transport hot food to Customers site if the site only has a servery *Create flexible menus *Ensure use of quality ingredients including fresh, frozen, tinned and dried *Tailor Services to meet specific needs in relation to allergies and medical conditions *Tailor Services to meet specific needs in relation to religion, culture and ethnicity *Use local providers and seasonal produce wherever possible Additional information: All Public Bodies will have access to this Framework Agreement with the agreement with the Contracting Authority. Those organisations who wish to access this Framework Agreement are detailed in the Invitation to Tender document.

Catering - Public Sector (Non-Education)

This LOT is for the supply of a variety of catering Services to the wider public sector (excluding education) including, but not limited to local authorities, NHS trusts, care homes, prisons, police, residential schools, study centres, children's activity centres. Customers will have their own requirements and Suppliers will need to be able to provide a Service that will cover the following: *Ambient foods/ready meals for premises where chilling food is not an option *Delivery of hot or cold foods to venue *Enhanced dining experiences including serving of alcohol *Hot or cold food options *On site preparation and Service Suppliers awarded onto this LOT are expected to: *Ensure use of quality ingredients including fresh, frozen, tinned and dried *Offer a variety of menu choices *Tailor Services to meet specific needs in relation to allergies and medical conditions *Tailor Services to meet specific needs in relation to religion, culture and ethnicity *Use local providers and seasonal produce wherever possible Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.

Vending Machines

This LOT is for the supply of all types of vending machines including, but not limited to *Coffee/hot beverages vending machine *Cold drinks vending machine *Food vending machine *Healthy vending machine *Smart vending machine *Snack vending machine Customers will have their own requirements and Suppliers will need to be able to provide a Service that will cover the following options: *Brand new vending machines *Fully managed service including restocking *Indoor and outdoor options *Lease/rental of vending machine *Maintenance and servicing *Option to be branded *Outright purchase of vending machine *Refurbished vending machines *Self-filled machines Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.

Water Cooler Solutions

This LOT is for the supply, installation, maintenance and service of water cooler solutions for the public sector to include but not be limited to *Bottled water cooler units *Hot and cold-water tap *Hot water boilers *Mains fed water coolers Customers will have their own requirements and Suppliers will need to be able to provide a Service that will cover the following options: *Bottled water delivery *Installation services *Lease/rental or outright purchase options *Regular service and maintenance including sanitation *Supply of recyclable cups and accessories Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.

Catering - Education Only

Supply, install and maintenance of water cooler solutions

Options: 60 month(s) from the commencement date, with 36 initial month(s) and option to extend 2x12 month(s)

Catering - Public Sector (Non-Education)

This LOT is for the supply of a variety of catering Services to the wider public sector (excluding education) including, but not limited to local authorities, NHS trusts, care homes, prisons, police, residential schools, study centres, children's activity centres. Customers will have their own requirements and Suppliers will need to be able to provide a Service that will cover the following: *Ambient foods/ready meals for premises where chilling food is not an option *Delivery of hot or cold foods to venue *Enhanced dining experiences including serving of alcohol *Hot or cold food options *On site preparation and Service Suppliers awarded onto this LOT are expected to: *Ensure use of quality ingredients including fresh, frozen, tinned and dried *Offer a variety of menu choices *Tailor Services to meet specific needs in relation to allergies and medical conditions *Tailor Services to meet specific needs in relation to religion, culture and ethnicity *Use local providers and seasonal produce wherever possible

Vending Machines

This LOT is for the supply of all types of vending machines including, but not limited to *Coffee/hot beverages vending machine *Cold drinks vending machine *Food vending machine *Healthy vending machine *Smart vending machine *Snack vending machine Customers will have their own requirements and Suppliers will need to be able to provide a Service that will cover the following options: *Brand new vending machines *Fully managed service including restocking *Indoor and outdoor options *Lease/rental of vending machine *Maintenance and servicing *Option to be branded *Outright purchase of vending machine *Refurbished vending machines *Self-filled machines

Water Cooler Solutions

This LOT is for the supply, installation, maintenance and service of water cooler solutions for the public sector to include but not be limited to *Bottled water cooler units *Hot and cold-water tap *Hot water boilers *Mains fed water coolers Customers will have their own requirements and Suppliers will need to be able to provide a Service that will cover the following options: *Bottled water delivery *Installation services *Lease/rental or outright purchase options *Regular service and maintenance including sanitation *Supply of recyclable cups and accessories

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03d7b2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082099-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

42 - Industrial machinery

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

31141000 - Water coolers

42933000 - Vending machines

55523000 - Catering services for other enterprises or other institutions

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£400,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£270,906 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
4 Aug 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Nov 20232 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Active, Cancelled
Awards Status
Active, Unsuccessful
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Waythrough
Additional Buyers

Kent County Council

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BOWBURN
Postcode
DH6 5PF
Postcode Area
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Bowburn & Coxhoe
Westminster Constituency
Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
6
Supplier Names

Culinera Limited

Caterlink

Nourish Contract Catering

Mix & Vend

Fairtrade Vending Ltd

Culligan (UK) Limited

Further Information

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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