This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

22 Jun 2026 at 12:33

Award

12 Dec 2025 at 17:00

Tender

25 Jul 2025 at 14:24

Summary of the contracting process

West Sussex County Council, a sub-central government authority based in Chichester, United Kingdom, has successfully awarded a contract for the provision of school catering services under the project titled "Primary School Catering - Delivered In Hot Meals". This procurement falls under the services category, specifically targeting school catering, within the region UKJ2. As part of the open procedure, which highlights a transparent and competitive process, the tender reached its award stage on 22 June 2026, with contract activities commencing on 1 August 2026. The contract is set to run through 31 July 2033, with a potential three-year extension available, subject to performance evaluation and mutual agreement.

This contract presents substantial business growth opportunities, particularly for SMEs involved in the catering and food service industries. Offering a significant contract value of £10 million, with a gross budget of £12 million, small to medium enterprises stand to benefit notably. The Easy Lunch Company Limited, an SME based in West Grinstead, was awarded the contract after meeting the open procedure's quality and pricing criteria. This demonstrates SMEs' ability to compete effectively in the public sector space, particularly for projects focusing on service delivery under light-touch regimes. Businesses with expertise in service delivery and efficient logistical operations in catering will find this tender well-aligned with their capability to provide high-quality, large-scale meal services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Primary School Catering - Delivered In Hot Meals

Notice Description

Provide a delivered in hot meal service to primary schools across West Sussex.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056682
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058524-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Jun 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
26 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Dec 20257 months ago
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
2025-11-03

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
WEST SUSSEX 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
CHICHESTER
Postcode
PO19 1RG
Post Town
Portsmouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ27 West Sussex (South West)
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Chichester
Electoral Ward
Chichester Central
Westminster Constituency
Chichester

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE EASY LUNCH

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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