Planning

Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026

BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Feb 2026 at 11:49

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Bedford Borough Council is currently in the planning stages of retendering its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, with the procurement focusing on delivering services in holiday centre services across Bedford, UK. This public procurement initiative, funded by the Department for Education, aims to provide holiday activities and nutritious meals to eligible children. Interested parties should pay attention to the preliminary market engagement notice available from 17th February 2026, with engagement responses due by 18th March 2026. The framework agreement delivery is expected to commence on 1st July 2026 and continue until 30th June 2028, with a potential extension available until 2029. Further details regarding the tender will be announced by 13th April 2026.

The HAF Programme provides notable opportunities for businesses specialising in holiday centre services, particularly those targeting vulnerable youth through enriching activities and nutritional support. The procurement framework is designed to establish a multi-lot agreement, ideal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs). This initiative allows these businesses to expand their impact in the community, particularly during school holidays such as Easter, summer, and December, with possible engagements during selected half-term holidays as well. Organisations interested in delivering high-quality programmes and having the capacity to meet the outlined requirements are encouraged to prepare for the upcoming tender process, considering the significant growth opportunities it offers.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026

Notice Description

Bedford Borough Council will be retendering its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme for delivery from Summer 2026 onwards. The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education and aims to provide high-quality holiday activities and nutritious food for children and young people who are eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals (FSM), as well as other children identified as vulnerable. The Council is seeking to establish a bespoke multi-lot framework of providers to deliver HAF-funded provision across the borough during the Easter, summer and December school holidays. There may also be opportunities to deliver provision during selected half-term holidays, subject to review.

Planning Information

Please see document summarising the HAF 2026 programme and a few questions the authority would like the market to complete to support in their future planning before going out to tender. Document can be downloaded (free or charge) from Bedford Borough Council e-portal https://in-tendhost.co.uk/bedford/aspx/Home project reference is BBC CH 04141

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0655d7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014230-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55241000 - Holiday centre services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Feb 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 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
BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercial.hub@bedford.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BEDFORD
Postcode
MK42 9AP
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH24 Bedford
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bedford
Electoral Ward
Cauldwell
Westminster Constituency
Bedford

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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