Tender

Activate Essex Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) 2026- 2028

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Dec 2025 at 14:55

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council, acting as the buying organisation, has launched a tender titled "Activate Essex Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) 2026-2028," under the industry category for holiday centre and holiday home services. The tender aims to deliver holiday activity and food programmes across Essex and Thurrock during school holidays, with the initiative managed by Active Essex. Scheduled to end on 6 January 2026, this tender is in the 'Tender' stage and follows the 'Open procedure' procurement method. The programme, benefiting families eligible for free school meals, is designed to improve health and wellbeing through inclusive holiday clubs. The project carries a gross value of £15,000,000 and will commence on 1 February 2026, concluding on 31 January 2029.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in holiday services, nutritional education, and family support programmes. With a focus on delivering free holiday clubs that include enriching activities and meals, businesses capable of meeting the programme's comprehensive suite of services stand to gain from collaboration. Suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs), the competition could result in multiple grants awarded to suppliers that meet stringent technical and suitability criteria. Participants with innovative solutions to support mental health and nutritional education for young people in Essex are encouraged to engage, offering substantial potential for business growth and development within the community service sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Activate Essex Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) 2026- 2028

Notice Description

The Department for Education has provided Essex County Council with funding in order to deliver the holiday activity and food programme (HAF) across Essex during the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays. Active Essex will be managing the programme on behalf of Essex County Council. Active Essex and Essex County Council will also be managing the HAF programme on behalf of Thurrock Council. Across Essex and Thurrock the programme is called Essex ActvAte. Essex ActivAte will engage and support young people and families who are eligible for benefits based free school meals and families most in need. The programme will provide free and inclusive holiday clubs across the county that will include a range of fun physical and enrichment activities, a free nutritious meal, nutritional education and mentoring and support for the young person and whole family. The programme aims to improve health generally, including, crucially, mental health and aim to provide the families with the knowledge and support to live healthier, happier lives. Bidders will be awarded funding from the overall grant fund to deliver their projects.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ed1e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078994-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55240000 - Holiday centre and holiday home services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Dec 20252 days ago
Submission Deadline
6 Jan 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
abbey.wellington@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

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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