Tender

Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026

BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

27 Apr 2026 at 11:24

Planning

17 Feb 2026 at 11:49

Summary of the contracting process

Bedford Borough Council is overseeing a tender for the Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026, targeting holiday centre services in Bedford, United Kingdom (UKH24). The procurement process is currently in the tender stage with an end date set for submissions on 22 May 2026. Enquiries are due by 15 May 2026, with awards projected by 12 June 2026. The framework agreement will address open access holiday clubs and more tailored provisions, including specialist services for SEND. The Council employs an open procedure under a special "light touch" regime, allowing annual reopening for new supplier applications with contracts commencing on 1 July 2026 for two years and potential extensions for a further two years.

This tender offers growth opportunities for businesses specialising in holiday centre services, particularly those already catering to educational nutrition or recreational projects. With three specific lots aimed at diverse provisions, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) could find themselves well-suited to compete. Engaging in this programme, funded by the Department for Education, provides a chance to deliver impactful services for benefits-related Free School Meals recipients and other vulnerable children. The demand-focused allocation promises regular opportunities to apply successful delivery approaches aligned to shifting needs and funding scales throughout the duration of the framework agreement.

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Notice Title

Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026

Notice Description

Bedford Borough Council ('The Authority') is seeking to commission a number of local organisations capable of delivering high-quality Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme services across the Bedford 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). A bespoke multi-Supplier Framework Agreement will be set up to that effect. The Framework Agreement will be structured across three Lots, reflecting different types of provision, including open access holiday clubs, bespoke targeted provision, and specialist SEND provision. They are as follows: Lot 1: Open Access Holiday Clubs Lot 2: Bespoke, Targeted and Non-Standard Provision Lot 3: SEND Specialist Provision It is anticipated that the Framework Agreement shall commence on 1st July 2026 for a period of two (2) years from the Commencement Date with an option to extend for an additional 24 months (in two 12-month-installments). The Authority intends to re-open the Framework Agreement on an annual basis (typically in March) to allow new Suppliers to apply. Existing Suppliers appointed to the Framework Agreement will not be required to reapply but will continue to be considered for delivery through the Delivery Proposal process. Suppliers appointed to the Framework Agreement will be invited to submit Delivery Proposals ahead of each holiday period (typically issued approximately two months in advance). The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education. Allocation of provision, including sessions, places and associated funding, will be determined by the Authority based on demand, performance, geographical coverage and available funding.

Lot Information

Lot 1: Open Access Holiday Clubs

LOT 1 is the primary delivery route for the HAF Programme and is intended to support the delivery of open access holiday provision at scale.

Renewal: Two possible extensions in 12-month-installments.

LOT 2: Bespoke, Targeted and Non-Standard Provision

LOT 2 is intended to enable the Council to commission a limited number of bespoke, targeted or non-standard HAF activities that cannot reasonably be delivered within the requirements of LOT 1.

Renewal: Two possible extensions in 12-month-installments.

LOT 3: SEND Specialist Provision

LOT 3 is intended to support the delivery of specialist HAF provision for children and young people with SEND whose needs cannot be fully met within mainstream provision. This Lot enables the Council to commission provision that: - provides appropriate levels of support, supervision and care - is tailored to meet a wide range of complex needs - offers safe, inclusive and meaningful experiences Provision within LOT 3 is expected to complement mainstream provision available through LOT 1.

Renewal: Two possible extensions in 12-month-installments.

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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0655d7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037994-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

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
27 Apr 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
22 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
13 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2028-03-01

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
BEDFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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
TLH24 Bedford

Local Authority
Bedford
Electoral Ward
Cauldwell
Westminster Constituency
Bedford

Further Information

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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