Tender

GWR Catering Service - Service Centre Operations & Delivery, and Catering Products & Supply

FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Tender

19 Sep 2025 at 14:23

PlanningUpdate

28 Jul 2025 at 14:39

PlanningUpdate

28 Jul 2025 at 14:38

PlanningUpdate

02 Jul 2025 at 07:07

PlanningUpdate

02 Jul 2025 at 07:03

Planning

11 Jun 2025 at 09:27

Summary of the contracting process

First Greater Western Limited, trading as Great Western Railway (GWR), has initiated a procurement process for catering services under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The tender, titled "GWR Catering Service - Service Centre Operations & Delivery, and Catering Products & Supply," is currently in the tender stage and is targeted at private utility sectors. The procurement constitutes a significant contract valued at £54 million and involves delivering catering and logistical operations across the GWR network, including catered train services and first-class lounges located in Paddington, Cardiff, Penzance, and Truro. Deadline for expressions of interest is set for 13th October 2025, with the award period concluding on 19th January 2026. The successful operation of this contract is contingent upon effective coordination and collaboration between potential bidders and GWR, as outlined by the procurement guidelines.

This tender offers a substantial opportunity for businesses in the food, beverage, and catering services industries to establish or expand their operations with a major UK transport service provider. Companies specialising in logistics, food supply, and workforce management, with the capability to ensure high-quality service delivery on a large scale, will be well-suited to compete. GWR is particularly interested in consortium bids and innovative proposals that enhance customer satisfaction and drive revenue growth, particularly within the First-Class service offering. Additionally, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to engage with this opportunity, which bears a potential for contract expansion and future service enhancements. Successful bidders will have the opportunity to showcase and implement innovative solutions that could set new benchmarks for service delivery in the sector.

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Notice Title

GWR Catering Service - Service Centre Operations & Delivery, and Catering Products & Supply

Notice Description

This procurement process is being advertised and run by First Greater Western Limited on its own behalf and on behalf of the successor operator of the rail passenger transport services in respect of National Rail Contract area. That successor operator will be a public sector company, is expected to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Department for Transport Operator (DfTO) and will be ultimately owned by the Secretary of State for Transport. The date for transfer of the current operations to the successor operator is not yet confirmed. Where the transfer is completed before contract award under this procurement process, the successor operator may elect (but will not be obliged) to carry on with this procurement process in place of First Greater Western Limited, by taking on the role of contracting entity from the date of completion of the transfer (with this notice and all other procurement documents to be interpreted accordingly). Where the transfer is not yet completed by the time of contract award, contractual rights may be included in the contractual arrangements to enable transfer to the successor operator. Bidders should note that this procurement process (if ongoing), or any awarded contract, may be included in a transfer scheme made by the Secretary of State under section 12 of the Railways Act 2005, or the transfer may be effected outside of, or separate from, such a scheme. GWR require Catering Services to be delivered across the network, which will be run under one contract. The catering service has two core functions and sections 1 and 2 of the specification covers both functions and the information is intended to provide the detail and requirement the supplier/s need in order to deliver this contract. Specification structure: This specification is structured into two distinct areas to detail the two service functions. 1. Service Centre Operations and Delivery The supplier must be able to supply logistics operations and staff management to all GWR catered fleet. 2. Catering Products and Supply The supplier must be able to supply all of GWR catering products, packaging and ancillary equipment. Collaboration between the two functions: To ensure productive, proactive and innovative working practices for this contract opportunity, GWR welcome individual entities as well as consortium bids (joint proposals). If this contract is a joint venture, the successful suppliers will be expected to work collaboratively and seamlessly to ensure the integrated and efficient delivery of the overall catering service and both functions. This collaboration will be crucial for operational effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and for achieving the strategic objectives of the business. This will involve, but is not limited to, sharing relevant information (subject to confidentiality agreements), coordinating operational interfaces, and participating in joint planning and review meetings as required by the Client. As detailed throughout this specification, Suppliers will need to work in collaboration throughout the lifetime of the contract if in a consortium working structure. The following requirements cover both service functions. Route Details GWR manage many stations on the route with catered first-class lounges in Paddington, Cardiff, Penzance, and Truro as part of the logistics supply. Currently trains do not run on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, although some elements of the Service will be required on these days. GWR run: * 254 catered trains a day Monday - Friday, * 280 catered trains on Saturday and * 210 catered trains on a Sunday.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Potential Future Enhancements and Contract Expansion. GWR is tendering for Great Western Railway Catering and Logistics with an estimated initial contract value of PS46 million over 5 years. In addition to the core service, GWR may seek to enhance or expand the service during the contract term. Notice Great Western Railway (GWR) reserves the right to introduce enhancements, modifications, or extensions to the scope of services or deliverables during the lifetime of the contract. These changes may arise due to evolving operational requirements, technological advancements, regulatory updates, or strategic priorities. Any such adjustments will be subject to mutual agreement between the parties and may be formalised through contract variation procedures, in accordance with the Procurement Act 23. The enhancements expected during the lifetime of this contract are detailed below. Future Enhancements The service enhancement GWR anticipates taking place during the lifetime of the contract is that of the enhanced First-Class offer which will aim to improve the First-Class offer on services to improve service delivery and set new benchmarks (through improved customer satisfaction). The enhanced offer aims to drive sustainable growth for GWR through revenue and loyalty. GWR want to improve the First-Class experience by enhancing both the quality and consistency of the catering services. This will include improving GWRs food offering and ensuring that a high standard of service is available throughout the day, every day, both on-board and within the station lounges, over the next five years (2025 - 2030). The First-Class Lounge proposition is a 'Premium' catering product offering, such as the introduction of enhanced choice meal options and will include a review of GWRs Pullman service, and the Standard Class catering proposition. GWR want to introduce an enhanced onboard catering experience on the High-Speed Services (HSS) routes in the form of a hot breakfast option. GWR also want to further enhance customer service provision with proactive promotion of the product, including menu cards for customers. The aims are to: * Enhanced Customer Satisfaction * Increased loyalty and reduced complaints: * Strengthened brand reputation: * Improved employee engagement: * Step change towards a national railway: Enhanced Proposition The proposition centres on the introduction of a reliable and consistent service offer, paired with improved quality catering, supported with better trolleys to see what's on offer and menu cards on train and online to improve awareness of the offer. This will increase First Class revenues, boost customer satisfaction and positively alter perceptions of performance. The result will be both growth and retention in First-Class customer base, further supported by tactical pricing adjustments that reflect the elevated value proposition. Estimated increased contract value: The estimated increase in contract value for the full enhancement offer could be PS3.2m Annually and PS16m over five years. These figures are estimates and will be based on customer uptake. Further details will be made available in Stage Two of this tender process.

Renewal: The initial contract term will be 3 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years.

Planning Information

We want to hear from suppliers who feel they can realistically provide the services. The project team are happy to discuss over Teams, face to face or on site. The team will agree the next steps as interest is received.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-054675
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058198-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

55520000 - Catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£54,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£54,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 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
FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED
Contact Name
Ben Boatman
Contact Email
ben.boatman@gwr.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN1 1HL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England), TLK1 Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Swindon South

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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