Supply of Ambient Meal solutions for First-Class offering

XC TRAINS LIMITED

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

08 Jun 2026 at 16:13

TenderUpdate

17 Feb 2025 at 15:38

Tender

17 Feb 2025 at 14:58

Summary of the contracting process

XC Trains Limited has engaged in a procurement process for the "Supply of Ambient Meal Solutions for First-Class Offering," focused on providing prepared meals for their services under the main procurement category of goods. The contract, which has reached the award stage as of 8th June 2026, details the complete supply of ambient ready meals and snack products needing no refrigeration for the first-class passengers. The procurement was conducted through a selective negotiation process with a prior call for competition. Key delivery requirements include multiple UK railway stations such as Birmingham New Street and Edinburgh Waverley. The procurement process, initiated to enhance food services on CrossCountry trains, highlights a contract period with core terms of 2 years and potential extensions. Dates of significance include the contract's signing on 5th June 2026, with other stages having been initiated as early as February 2025.

This procurement represents significant growth opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers of ambient meals and sustainable catering supplies. Businesses that can supply innovative, convenient, and high-quality prepared meal solutions—particularly those with expertise in providing long shelf-life vegan and vegetarian options—stand to benefit greatly. Companies focusing on environmental sustainability and logistical excellence would find this contract particularly suited to their strengths, given the emphasis on sustainable packaging and operational efficiency. Furthermore, the flexibility to adapt meal offerings to seasonal trends provides an opportunity for businesses to continuously innovate and align with emerging market trends.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Supply of Ambient Meal solutions for First-Class offering

Notice Description

The Supplier shall be responsible for the supply of a range of ambient ready meal/snack products to XC, including the supply of any bespoke meal requirements. This will be done in accordance with requirements and standards which will be set out in the tender documentation. Supply of both ambient main meal and starter/or tapas snack solutions. * An ambient snack in the style of a starter/tapas - the snack should not require refrigeration or heating before serving, with a minimum shelf life of 2 months or higher (once delivered to XC locations). Storage at ambient temperature in a self-contained packaging is required per each snack. * An ambient meal in the style of a main course option. This type of meal will need to be microwaveable in the on-board commercial microwave, allowing for convenient delivery to our on-board customers. It should require minimal preparation (no decanting of products) and storage at ambient temperature in a self-contained packaging for each meal that can also be used to serve/present to First-Class customers. The shelf life should be a minimum of 2 months ambiently stored (once received at XC locations). * A vegetarian option which is also suitable for vegan dietary requirements will be required for both meal solutions. This must also be ambiently stored in a self-contained packaging for each snack/meal with a minimum shelf life of 2 months or higher (once received at XC locations). It should require minimal preparation (no decanting of products). * The Supplier shall also be responsible for the provision of all food packaging (with the capability to provide customised packaging) for both meal solutions. We will require the supplier to provide sustainable catering consumables for both meal solutions e.g. sustainable cutlery, printed napkins, recyclable items. All food, food packaging (with all the mandatory food information) and food contact materials must comply with all relevant UK food laws. Throughout the lifecycle of the agreement there may be a requirement to review the product specifications to allow the opportunity to include emerging market trends and customer needs in an updated meal range offering. Specific meal solutions for seasonal menu changes will be required (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter). The Customer will have delivery requirements to a minimum of 5 UK-based railway station locations, as follows: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Plymouth, Reading, Bristol. These locations will receive, store and handle food items.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Supply Agreement for goods and/or services

Options: Core term of 2 years from the contract commencement date with the option of an extension on a +1+1 basis (overall 2-year extension in increments).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e2cf
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053988-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products


CPV Codes

15894200 - Prepared meals

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£18,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£18,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
19 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
XC TRAINS LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BUSINESS PARK
Postcode
SR3 3XP
Post Town
Sunderland
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC44 Sunderland
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Sunderland
Electoral Ward
Doxford
Westminster Constituency
Houghton and Sunderland South

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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