Tender

Catering purchasing service (including a products management system)

UNIVERSITY OF YORK

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Tender

13 Feb 2026 at 10:06

PlanningUpdate

14 Aug 2025 at 10:29

PlanningUpdate

04 Aug 2025 at 15:15

Planning

04 Aug 2025 at 15:12

Planning

21 May 2025 at 10:08

Summary of the contracting process

On 13th February 2026, the University of York initiated an open tender process for a catering purchasing service that includes a products management system. The contract is expected to cover various aspects such as menu management, inventory, procurement, and financial administration. This tender targets the delivery of services to the University's multiple dining locations, primarily located in Heslington, York, as well as off-campus sites like Fairfax House and Guildhall York. Interested suppliers must submit their bids via the University's eTendering system by 23rd March 2026. The process is a key part of the University's strategic procurement plan, aimed at enhancing user-friendliness and adaptability, while maximising value through modern technological solutions. The tender period will end with an award planned on 22nd May 2026, with a contract period from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2029.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the software and management consultancy sectors, particularly those that specialise in developing integrated solutions for catering services and stock management systems. Businesses that can offer a comprehensive, customer-focused service and demonstrate a collaborative approach to operations and future development will be well-suited to compete. With an annual procurement spend of up to £2.5 million and a total contract value of up to £20 million GBP, this procurement exercise offers substantial scope for growth. The University of York's engagement with potential suppliers via the tender portal provides businesses with the chance to showcase innovative solutions and ensure alignment with the University's evolving needs, thus creating an advantageous partnership environment.

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Notice Title

Catering purchasing service (including a products management system)

Notice Description

The University of York wishes to establish a contract for the provision of a fully integrated catering purchasing service (including a products management system). The University has over 10 restaurants and cafes across out campuses that serve a range of food and drink options to staff, students and the general public (https://www.york.ac.uk/eat-drink-shop/eat-drink/outlets/), there are also outlets servicing student accommodation. Most of these outlets are on the two main campuses at Heslington with two off-campus locations at Fairfax House and in the city centre at the Guildhall York. The main aim is for a user-friendly, forward-looking solution which can adapt to developing technologies and maximise the value of catering purchasing management to the University. This will support a diverse range of business needs and provide a flexible approach to meet our increasing and variable demand. The University wishes to adopt and maintain a collaborative approach with the Supplier where operational requirements can contribute to future developments to ensure that value is continually delivered. The Supplier to provide a catering purchasing service (including a products management system) which maximises value for money whilst delivering an integrated, customer-focused service. The annual procurement spend is in the region of up to PS2.5M. A catering purchasing service is required that covers all stages of the procurement process from defining business needs and developing specifications through to contract and supplier relationship management. The service will cover the above contracting activity and management of suppliers including annual price reviews and adherence to public procurement regulation and University financial regulations. A catering and stock management system is to be provided which includes menu and recipe management, inventory and procurement and financial administration including summary billing. The system should be easy to use and enable online ordering with up-to-date pricing and invoice management to provide a fully integrated solution. Full details can be obtained by registering with the University's tender portal and following the bidding instructions to access the invitation to tender (ITT) documents - see Submission address and any special instructions

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 3 year initial term + 3 year + 2 year optional extensions

Planning Information

The University of York has issued a market engagement questionnaire to seek feedback from the Catering Purchasing Service and Catering Products Management system market to help it to shape its strategy prior to advertising its tender. The questionnaire can be accessed through the In-tend e-procurement portal on the following link (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home) until 17:00 Monday 1st September 2025 The aim of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is twofold, firstly to notify the market of the University's requirements, and for the University to obtain detailed feedback from potential suppliers who can deliver the requirements to the University. The University intends to utilise the information collected from this engagement questionnaire to develop a procurement strategy to take to market to procure and secure a supplier to meet its requirements. It is hoped that shaping and refining the procurement strategy will result in an awareness of the University's requirements within the marketplace, and that early engagement with suppliers will enable the University to achieve its objectives. This engagement process shall therefore be of benefit to both the University and potential bidders. This document asks questions on areas where the University is keen to receive feedback. These are not considered exhaustive, and respondents are invited to raise other areas they believe are relevant. Parties wishing to take part in this engagement process are asked to complete the questionnaire and return by upload to the In-tend e-procurement portal (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/york/aspx/Home) by 17:00 Monday 1st September 2025.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051a1e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013252-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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


CPV Codes

48100000 - Industry specific software package

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Feb 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Mar 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF YORK
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@york.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO10 5DD
Post Town
York
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
TLE21 York

Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Hull Road
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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