Planning

School Meals Catering Service

LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Sep 2025 at 13:49

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The London Borough of Merton is in the planning stage of a procurement process for the provision of catering services to pupils and staff in primary, special, and secondary schools within the borough. The process seeks to commence in September 2026, with an engagement milestone set for 17 October 2025. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically 'school catering services' (CPV: 55524000), and is considered above threshold. The contract period is anticipated to start on 3 August 2026 and end on 2 August 2029, with an option to extend until 2 August 2031. The procurement is being managed through a soft market testing phase, inviting potential suppliers to engage by responding to a questionnaire referenced DN792355. The location of the procurement is Morden, London, UK, and further details can be accessed via the London Tenders portal.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in school catering services, especially those capable of handling large-scale contracts across multiple school types, including primary, special, and secondary schools. Given the light touch regime and the sizeable scope of the contract, businesses that can demonstrate efficiency, high service quality, and prior experience in educational catering stand well-positioned to benefit. The extended contract period with renewal options further enhances the potential for sustained business growth, making this a valuable opportunity for catering companies looking to establish or expand their presence within the public sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

School Meals Catering Service

Notice Description

The London Borough of Merton ("the Council") is seeking to undertake a procurement exercise for the provision of catering services for pupils and staff within our primary, special and secondary schools from September 2026. The Council currently provides school catering services for 35 out of 43 primary schools, 3 special schools and 2 secondary schools within the Borough - these are commissioned through central contracts - one for primary and special schools and one for secondary schools.

Planning Information

The London Borough of Merton (“the Council”) is seeking to undertake a procurement exercise for the provision of catering services for pupils and staff within our primary, special and secondary schools from September 2026. The Council would like to discuss the provision of School Meals Catering Services. A soft market testing questionnaire can be accessed via the London Tenders portal (ref: DN792355). There are a set of questions at the end of the document for which we are seeking responses from providers such as yourselves.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a424
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/060547-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Sep 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Aug 2026 - 2 Aug 2029 3-4 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
LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTON
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercial.services@merton.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
MORDEN
Postcode
SM4 5DX
Post Town
Sutton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI6 Outer London - South
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI63 Merton, Kingston upon Thames and Sutton
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Merton
Electoral Ward
Merton Park
Westminster Constituency
Wimbledon

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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