Tender

Catering Services Contract for New College Swindon

NEW COLLEGE SWINDON

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

11 Dec 2025 at 16:36

Summary of the contracting process

New College Swindon has announced a tender for a Catering Services Contract to cater for the institution's main campuses, Queens Drive and North Star, over a three-year term beginning on 1st August 2026, with potential extensions for up to two more years. This procurement falls under the services category with a budget allocation of £4,200,000 and is governed by UK legislation specified in the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024. The process follows a Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Light Touch regime to ensure quality and value for the college's 4,800 students. The deadline for Stage 1 submissions is set for 9th January 2026, and interested suppliers must complete a 'Procurement Specific Questionnaire' to demonstrate their capability to meet the contract's requirements.

This tender provides significant opportunities for catering businesses looking to expand their client base within the public sector, particularly those with a focus on quality, social value, and sustainability. With New College Swindon's emphasis on healthy eating and service excellence, catering companies that can offer innovative food services and educational initiatives stand a strong chance of succeeding in this tender. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) which can commit to high-quality standards and cost-effective solutions are especially encouraged to apply, leveraging this opportunity to establish a long-term partnership with a reputable educational institution.

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Notice Title

Catering Services Contract for New College Swindon

Notice Description

New College is a further and higher education institution in Swindon, Wiltshire. There are two main campuses, Queens Drive and North Star, as well as an Adult Learning Centre in Swindon town centre. The College caters for approx. 4,800 students, to a range of ages, with its primary student body being 16-18-year-olds pursuing A-levels or vocational qualifications. The new catering contract is to service the two main campuses, Queens Drive and North Star, from 1st August 2026, for a 3-year term plus possible 2 year extension on a +1year, +1year basis. The College is undertaking this tender process to source a flexible and best value catering contractor with whom they can partner with to achieve service excellence through the provision of a great tasting food service, made with authentic recipes and ingredients. Healthy eating, service innovation and added value through food education and sustainability initiatives are equally as important. This procurement will be run as per a Competitive Flexible Procedure in line with the Procurement Act 2023 and Procurement Regulations 2024. This process is managed under the Light Touch regime, and the College reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout. Suppliers are invited to confirm their interest in this tender by submitting a completed 'Procurement Specific Questionnaire' (Stage 1) as per the guidance issued. Stage 1 has been designed to assess the suitability of Suppliers to deliver New College Swindon's contract requirements. Only Suppliers who are successful at this stage will be invited to participate in Stage 2 of the process and be invited to submit a Tender. TUPE will apply.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Maximum 2 extensions of 12 months per extension.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f443
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082196-2025
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
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55520000 - Catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,200,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,200,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 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
NEW COLLEGE SWINDON
Contact Name
Gail Heath
Contact Email
gail@panacheconsultancy.co.uk
Contact Phone
01275 871798

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN3 1AH
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
Not specified

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Walcot and Park North
Westminster Constituency
Swindon South

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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