Planning

Catering Services PME

BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

03 Feb 2026 at 13:19

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

02 Feb 2026 at 11:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Bournemouth University is currently engaging in a procurement process under the industry category of catering services. This process is in the planning stage and is being initiated as a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to identify a qualified catering contractor. The procurement effort targets services across the university’s Talbot and Lansdowne campus locations in the Poole, United Kingdom region (UKK24). Interested parties are encouraged to express interest and participate in the planned engagement activities, which will include written responses and one-to-one meetings with a range of business representatives. The scheduled due date for this engagement is 13th February 2026, with the goal of commencing services by 1st October 2026 for a period extending until 30th September 2035.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses focused on catering and hospitality services. Given the requirements for a cost-neutral model with profit-sharing, businesses that provide innovative, student-focused, and sustainable service solutions would find this opportunity highly beneficial for growth. The procurement process actively seeks participation from diverse suppliers, including SMEs and large enterprises, and prefers innovation in digital solutions and environmentally responsible operations. Businesses with a focus on contemporary and authentic food offers, as well as those adept at integrating loyalty schemes and value propositions, would fit well into the competitive landscape anticipated by Bournemouth University.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Catering Services PME

Notice Description

The University is carrying out a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise for Catering Services. This will inform the tender to appoint a professional and experienced catering contractor capable of delivering a student-focused, high-quality and innovative catering and hospitality service. The student experience is central to the University's mission, and the successful contractor will be expected to provide a sector-leading service that promotes and prioritises a campus-first experience and improves overall student satisfaction.

Planning Information

A Preliminary Market Engagement document is available to potential participants as part of this notice. The documents sets out the high-level requirements of the engagement process including the scope of the exercise and how organisations may register their interest. Here is an overview of the requirements: The University carrying out a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise for Catering Services. This will inform the tender process to appoint a professional and experienced catering contractor capable of delivering a student-focused, high-quality and innovative catering and hospitality service. The student experience is central to the University's mission, and the successful contractor will be expected to provide a sector-leading service that promotes and prioritises a campus-first experience and improves overall student satisfaction. Campus Locations Catering services are required across the University's two principal campus locations: • Talbot Campus • Lansdowne Campus Each campus serves a diverse student, staff, and visitor population, requiring a flexible, responsive catering and hospitality service. Key requirements include: • Cost neutral with a surplus, a service model that both delivers at no cost to the University, yet provides profit sharing for the University to reinvest back into its student experience • A student centred, high-quality, contemporary and authentic food and beverage offer across all catering outlets • Excellent value for money, including accessible low-price entry points, discounts and loyalty schemes • A continually evolving and innovative service model, providing a contemporary offer that aligns with student's tastes and trends • A sustainable and environmentally responsible operation, incorporating a robust and data driven "reduce, reuse, recycle" waste management strategy • A technologically advanced service, providing digital solutions that enhance convenience, drive engagement and repeat custom • A strong commitment to staff training, personal development, and education Format of the Preliminary Market Engagement Exercise The exercise will consist of: • Written responses to the areas of the PME document identified as required. • One-to-one meetings with suppliers that have responded to this exercise (hereafter referred to as Participants) via face to face on site at one of the University campus locations. Meeting duration will be a maximum of 1.5 hours. The University will reduce the number of Participants from written responses to one-to-one discussions via the following method: Management of Engagement Activity • At least one SME will be included; • At least one large enterprise will be included; • At least one non-incumbent supplier will be included; • At least one Participant with a registered address within Bournemouth will be included; • At least one Participant with a registered address outside of Bournemouth will be included; The above elements can/will only apply if at least one Participant meets that description. If you wish to participate in this pre-market engagement exercise you must express your interest in the exercise and download the document from In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/bournemouthuniversity/aspx/Home

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0613f1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009451-2026
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

55520000 - 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
3 Feb 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Feb 20263 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2035 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
BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@bournemouth.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
POOLE
Postcode
BH12 5BB
Post Town
Bournemouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK63 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Delivery Location
TLK24 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Local Authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Electoral Ward
Talbot & Branksome Woods
Westminster Constituency
Bournemouth West

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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