Award

Catering Delivery Partnership

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

21 Apr 2026 at 12:37

Tender

24 Sep 2025 at 13:57

Planning

29 May 2025 at 11:27

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh has completed the procurement process for the "Catering Delivery Partnership," which involves contracting a supplier to provide catering services that supplement the University's in-house offerings from ACE (Accommodation, Catering & Events). This tender, classified under CPV code 55520000 for catering services, falls within the services industry category. Located in Edinburgh, the contracting authority awarded the contract worth GBP 5,000,000 to Blue Sky Catering Conference & Events Ltd on 7 April 2026. The contract is set for an initial term of two years with options to extend for one-year periods up to a total of five years. The process followed an open procurement method, ensuring a competitive selection based on technical quality and pricing criteria.

Businesses within the catering sector, particularly those that can handle fluctuating demands and provide quality service at competitive pricing, are well-positioned for such opportunities. This partnership facilitates business growth by enabling suppliers to strategically align with the University to meet surges in demand or seasonal variances over the contract's duration. Additionally, the tender's incorporation of community benefits amplifies the potential for contributing to local social initiatives, enhancing business reputation while increasing operational scope. Small and medium enterprises focusing on event catering and delivery services are especially encouraged to participate in such tenders to leverage these avenues for expansion.

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Notice Title

Catering Delivery Partnership

Notice Description

The University has a requirement for a supplier to provide a catering delivery service to handle requirements that cannot be fulfilled by the in-house service from ACE (Accommodation, Catering & Events). The supplier needs to be able to fulfil catering requirements throughout the year and be able to deliver to multiple areas across the University. It is required to be competitively priced and at a specified quality and health & safety standard.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The University has a requirement for a supplier to provide a catering delivery service to handle requirements that cannot be fulfilled by the in-house service from ACE (Accommodation, Catering & Events). The supplier needs to be able to fulfil catering requirements throughout the year and be able to deliver to multiple areas across the University. It is required to be competitively priced and at a specified quality and health & safety standard. ACE should be first-choice for users at the University for catering with external supplier support needed when ACE reach capacity and there are catering requests they are unable to fulfil. A successful outcome would be to have a supplier in place for users to select who are ready to pick up the additional catering demand from across the University as/when required. The "Partnership" element which is referenced throughout this tender is defined as a vision for a collaborative working relationship with the successful bidder to maintain a continuity of service for catering in instances such as surges in demand or seasonal variances experienced throughout the course of the contract period. The contract will be in place for an initial term of 2 years, with three options to extend for periods of 1-year each (2+1+1+1). The estimated total contract value is based on forecast spend over a 5 year period. The University does not guarantee any volume of product during the length of the contract. Volume is solely dependent on demand. All figures noted within the tender package are indicative only.

Renewal: Total contract length: 2 years Option to extend 1yr + 1yr + 1yr

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0528c1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036081-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55520000 - Catering services

55523000 - Catering services for other enterprises or other institutions

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Apr 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
24 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
30 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
6 Apr 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
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BLUE SKY CATERING CONFERENCE & EVENTS

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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