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704_26 Outsourced Catering Services and Procurement Support

Leicestershire County Council

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

11 Sep 2026 at 14:05

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

17 Aug 2026 at 16:37

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

27 Apr 2026 at 12:39

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

22 Oct 2025 at 13:38

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

12 May 2025 at 16:30

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, established a UK-wide public-sector framework for outsourced catering and procurement support. Lots 1 to 3 cover catering for education establishments, social-care and health settings, and all other public-sector organisations, including workplaces, hospitals, emergency services, prisons, cultural venues and leisure facilities. Services may include canteens, dining rooms, grab-and-go, breakfast and holiday meals, meals on wheels, hospitality, events, trolley catering, and onsite or offsite preparation and service. Lot 4 covers procurement consultancy and contract-management support for outsourced catering, including requirements gathering, evaluation, supplier engagement, legal and mobilisation guidance, contract management, performance monitoring, audits and efficiency advice. The framework is intended for eligible public bodies across the United Kingdom.

The open-procedure framework has been awarded and signed across all four lots. The award date was 13 August 2026 and contracts were signed on 27 August 2026. Each lot has a stated value of £200,000,000 excluding VAT, or £240,000,000 including VAT; the notice explains that the same overall framework value is repeated for each lot and is not a guaranteed lot spend. Each contract runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2028, with an option to extend to 31 August 2030. Lot 1 was awarded to 36 suppliers, Lot 2 to 11, Lot 3 to 16 and Lot 4 to 20. Evaluation for every lot was 40% price and 60% non-price criteria. The framework permits call-offs with or without further competition, with Lot 4 also allowing direct call-off.

This procurement demonstrates substantial, recurring demand for suppliers able to deliver public-sector catering at national scale through a framework route. Strong candidates for future requirements will need operational capacity for varied customer environments, including schools, care settings, hospitals, workplaces, events, secure establishments and community meal delivery. Relevant capability includes safe and consistent food production, onsite and offsite service, meals-on-wheels logistics, holiday and special-diet provision, mobilisation across multiple sites, and effective customer and performance management. For the consultancy lot, credible providers will need public procurement expertise under the Procurement Act 2023, evaluation and competition support, supplier engagement, contract drafting, TUPE and mobilisation advice, KPI monitoring, site auditing, commercial savings analysis and catering-sector knowledge. SMEs were considered suitable for all lots, while consultancy providers could not also bid for catering lots because of conflicts of interest.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

704_26 Outsourced Catering Services and Procurement Support

Notice Description

ESPO is a public sector-owned professional buying organisation offering a comprehensive range of procurement services, including access to over 100 free-to-access framework solutions for the wider public sector. This procurement establishes a framework to assist customers in education, social care and all other public sectors with outsourcing their catering services, including providing access to procurement consultants who can assist customers with this (in outsourcing their catering services). The Framework is divided into 4 lots. For any additional details please also refer to https://www.espo.org/outsourced-catering-services-and-procurement-support-704-26.html (or otherwise see https://www.espo.org/procurement-frameworks).

Lot Information

Lot 1. Education

This Lot is for the provision of Catering Services to education establishments including primary schools, secondary schools, multi-academy trusts, special schools, nurseries, colleges, universities, technical schools/colleges and/or any other public sector learning institutions. It is also envisaged that Customers looking for 'holiday food programmes will use this Lot to provide meals meeting the School Meal Standards in the holiday periods. It is expected that customers will require a wide range of catering provisions to include but not limited to dining room and canteen style services to grab and go, breakfast, after school clubs, hospitality and special events. In addition, the Lot will cover a range of service models including onsite or offsite preparation, service and consumption.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove requirements throughout the life of the contract in line with the scope of the framework.

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. ESPO may choose to use the extension period(s) where: * The framework is performing well * It continues to broadly meet customer needs ESPO reserves the right to implement the extension period in part, full, or in increments (such as x2 12-month periods). The total estimated framework value captured in this notice includes the option to extend in full as noted above. Note: The overall framework value has been automatically assigned to each lot in this notice as ESPO offers no guarantees or estimates of value that may pass through each individual lot (but the overall usage across all lots is not expected to exceed this overall framework value).

Lot 2. Social Care

This Lot includes the provision of Catering Services to all types of social care and health establishments which may include but is not limited to care homes, charities and home delivery meal services. The Lot will cover a range of catering provision including but not limited to 'meals on wheels' delivery provisions, dining room and canteen style services, hospitality and special events. It is also expected that a range of service models will be required including onsite or offsite preparation, service and consumption.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove requirements throughout the life of the contract in line with the scope of the framework.

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. ESPO may choose to use the extension period(s) where: * The framework is performing well * It continues to broadly meet customer needs ESPO reserves the right to implement the extension period in part, full, or in increments (such as x2 12-month periods). The total estimated framework value captured in this notice includes the option to extend in full as noted above. Note: The overall framework value has been automatically assigned to each lot in this notice as ESPO offers no guarantees or estimates of value that may pass through each individual lot (but the overall usage across all lots is not expected to exceed this overall framework value).

Lot 3. All Other Public Sector

This Lot includes the provision of Catering Services to all other areas of the Public Sector. It will cover a range of different customer types including Public Sector workplaces and managed buildings/spaces, art galleries, museums, leisure centres, country parks, historic buildings, concert halls, conference venues, training centres, exhibition centres, theatres, stadia, emergency services establishments, NHS hospital trusts (to include but not limited to patient care, staff and visitor food service), prisons and other Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defence establishments. Any other Public Sector customers who do not fall into Lot 1 or Lot 2 will fall into Lot 3. It is expected that a wide range of catering provision will be required including but not limited to canteen, grab and go, trolley catering provision, hospitality and event catering. In addition, this Lot will cover a range of service models including onsite or offsite preparation, service and consumption.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove requirements throughout the life of the contract in line with the scope of the framework.

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. ESPO may choose to use the extension period(s) where: * The framework is performing well * It continues to broadly meet customer needs ESPO reserves the right to implement the extension period in part, full, or in increments (such as x2 12-month periods). The total estimated framework value captured in this notice includes the option to extend in full as noted above. Note: The overall framework value has been automatically assigned to each lot in this notice as ESPO offers no guarantees or estimates of value that may pass through each individual lot (but the overall usage across all lots is not expected to exceed this overall framework value).

Lot 4. Procurement Consultancy and Contract Management Support for Outsourced Catering Services

This Lot includes Suppliers who can offer Procurement Support carried out in line with the Procurement Act 2023. Typical services are likely to include gathering of information and documenting customer requirements, providing advice on evaluation methodologies, arranging and supporting Supplier site visits, Supplier demonstrations and interviews, conduct or assist with the Further Competitive Selection Process (preparation, evaluation and award, including managing the de-brief of Suppliers and Contract document drafting), fielding and supporting the customer to respond to any clarification questions raised in the Further Competitive Selection Process, legal support to include guidance on how to complete the Form of Contract and Call-Off Terms, guidance on service levels, TUPE and contract mobilisation. Suppliers awarded onto this lot are expected to assist customers with drafting and publishing notices as and when required throughout the procurement and award process. This lot will also include contract management, where typical services are likely to include the monitoring of Suppliers performance and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Supplier relationship management, the auditing of Supplier sites, Cost and efficiency savings being identified and ad-hoc advice on Outsourced Catering Services.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove requirements throughout the life of the contract in line with the scope of the framework.

Renewal: The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. ESPO may choose to use the extension period(s) where: * The framework is performing well * It continues to broadly meet customer needs ESPO reserves the right to implement the extension period in part, full, or in increments (such as x2 12-month periods). The total estimated framework value captured in this notice includes the option to extend in full as noted above. Note: The overall framework value has been automatically assigned to each lot in this notice as ESPO offers no guarantees or estimates of value that may pass through each individual lot (but the overall usage across all lots is not expected to exceed this overall framework value).

Planning Information

Suppliers are required to register and complete the relevant stages on the Central Digital Platform if they wish to participate or bid for this framework. Request for Information: Engagement is being undertaken via two Request for Information (RFI) questionnaires hosted on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal (www.eastmidstenders.org). The deadline for responding to the RFI questionnaires is 17:00 (5pm) on 17 December 2025. Suppliers wishing to participate in the RFI MUST first express an interest as follows: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for opportunity '704_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest. Suppliers can access and respond to the RFI questionnaires in the Messages section of the eProcurement Portal (via the Activity dashboard once an expression of interest has been registered). Any questions or clarifications should similarly be submitted to ESPO as a message on the eProcurement Portal. ESPO may contact suppliers to seek clarification or understanding of the information provided in their RFI response or to discuss their RFI responses in further detail.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051159
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086445-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

79418000 - Procurement consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
£200,000,000 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
16 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
13 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
13 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Leicestershire 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
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE19 1ES
Postcode Area
Leicester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Blaby
Electoral Ward
Enderby
Westminster Constituency
South Leicestershire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
58
Supplier Names

Accent Catering Services Ltd

Alliance in Partnership Limited

CarillionAramark Limited

ASHMOLE TRADED SERVICES LTD (17059808)

Aspens Services Ltd

Baxterstorey

FM Services (City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council)

Caterlink

Compass Contract Services (UK) Ltd

Culinera Limited

Derbyshire County Council Catering Service (Local Government Authority)

Dolce Ltd

EDSENTIAL COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY (09550258)

Educaterers Ltd

EDUCO LIMITED (04533942)

Elior UK plc

FORERUNNER PERSONAL CATERING LIMITED (03913390)

Harrison Catering Services Limited

Hertfordshire Catering Limited

Innovate Services Ltd

ISS Mediclean Ltd

Juniper Pursuits Limited

Lunchtime Company

Midshire Signature Services

Miquill Catering Ltd

NORSE GROUP SERVICES LIMITED

The North Yorkshire Council (Local Government Authority)

Nottingham City Council (Local Government Authority)

Nourish Contract Catering

OCS Group UK Limited

Palmer & Howells Ltd

School Catering Support Limited

Shire Services (Local Authority organisation)

SANDWELL INSPIRED PARTNERSHIP SERVICES EDUCATION LIMITED (IP031729

Stir Food Ltd

Vertas Group Limited

LC SCA LTD (11871886

Royal Voluntary Service

AGOREA LIMITED (16881302)

BAYLISS & GROVE LTD (16827149)

Catering Consultancy Bureau Limited

Citation Consulting Ltd

Edwards and Ward Ltd

EMC CONSULTANCY SERVICES LLP (OC457593

FARE CONSULTING LIMITED

Inprova Limited

INVICTUS PARTNERSHIP LTD

Larch Consulting Limited

Merritt-Harrison Catering Consultancy (Partnership)

MINERVA PROCUREMENT CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED

Nansen Green Limited

OLIVEOAKS CONSULTING LTD (SC845212)

PANACHE CREATIVE LIMITED (07723278

PHP LAW LLP

PRESTIGE COMMERCIAL CONSULTING LIMITED (17059746)

RED BOX CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED

RIVA PARTNERSHIP LTD

WLP CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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