Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for a Fully Managed Hot, Cold and Snack Vending Service

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

13 Aug 2025 at 07:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

29 Jul 2025 at 11:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Durham County Council is undertaking a preliminary market engagement (PME) for the re-procurement of a fully managed vending service for hot, cold, and snack vending. This initiative falls under the goods industry category and takes place in the region of Durham, United Kingdom (UKC14). The current procurement stage is planning, with a focus on exploring potential market options. Notably, the deadline for responses to the PME has been extended to 26th August 2025, at 12 noon. The Council is seeking to evaluate the market's capacity to provide service across its network of over 50 vending machines located in various public and staff facilities.

This tender represents a promising growth opportunity for businesses specialising in vending solutions, particularly those capable of providing a wide range of machine sizes and contents that meet Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance standards. Companies that can ensure ongoing maintenance and consistent replenishment of vending machines would be ideal candidates. The procurement process offers chances for vending service providers to expand their portfolios with a substantial public authority client, participating in a contract starting December 2026. Small to medium-sized enterprises with innovative vending solutions and robust servicing capabilities are well-placed to compete successfully in this procurement process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) for a Fully Managed Hot, Cold and Snack Vending Service

Notice Description

Durham County Council (DCC), currently have a contract for a fully managed vending service for hot, cold and snack vending, with a royalty return paid to the Council. We are currently exploring our options and route to market for the re procurement of this service. The current contract has over 50 vending machines, across Durham County and comprise of cold drinks, hot drinks, snacks and combi machines. These machines are sited in leisure centres, staff buildings and public buildings. Providers will be required to supply a range of machine sizes and contents depending upon the Council's requirements. All machines are required to have a card machine (debit or credit card), with Payment Card Industry (PCI) Compliance. The Supplier will be required to fully maintain and service the vending machines and ensure the machines are cleaned, in good repair, and re-filled at all times.

Planning Information

Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) questionnaire available to access free of charge at open-uk.org Please note the deadline for responses has now been extended to Tuesday 26th August 2025 at 12 noon.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0567ee
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048231-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

CPV Codes

42933000 - Vending machines

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
26 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
zoe.embleton@durham.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DURHAM
Postcode
DH1 5WB
Post Town
Durham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC41 Durham
Delivery Location
TLC14 Durham
Local Authority
County Durham
Electoral Ward
Framwellgate and Newton Hall
Westminster Constituency
City of Durham

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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