Planning

PR112026 Edwards Court Catering Outsourced Staffing

EXETER CITY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

09 Apr 2026 at 08:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Exeter City Council is in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "PR112026 Edwards Court Catering Outsourced Staffing." This initiative, set in the region of Exeter, UK, aims to secure a staffing-only catering solution, ensuring meal services during weekends, bank holidays, and staff absences at Edwards Court. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically canteen and catering services. The preliminary market engagement exercise is scheduled to conclude by 17 April 2026, while additional communication will take place by 30 April 2026. The procurement process is informed by the Procurement Act 2023, with a Request for Quotation (RFQ) to follow based on insights from the engagement phase.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) specialising in recruitment and catering services. The contract, valued at £120,000 gross, requires staffing roles such as chefs and kitchen assistants, all of whom must hold necessary certifications like Level 2 Food Safety and enhanced DBS checks. Businesses proficient in delivering meals according to IDDSI standards in care environments will find this tender particularly suitable. The project spans from June 2026 to May 2029, with potential extensions, offering sustained growth opportunities for qualified suppliers in the catering staff sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

PR112026 Edwards Court Catering Outsourced Staffing

Notice Description

Edwards Court requires a compliant and resilient staffing-only catering solution to ensure the continued provision of safe meals during weekends, bank holidays, and periods of staff absence. The contract will provide qualified catering staff, including chef, assistant chef, and kitchen assistant roles, with all personnel holding Level 2 Food Safety certification, enhanced DBS checks, and appropriate safeguarding training, while Exeter City Council (ECC) retains full control over food procurement, menu planning, and day-to-day kitchen operations. Chef-level staff must be competent in delivering meals in line with IDDSI standards for modified diets within a care environment. The procurement will be delivered in two stages, commencing with a UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to inform the final specification, followed by a Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued using objective and proportionate criteria. Participation in market engagement will not be a condition of participation in the RFQ.

Planning Information

Exeter City Council will undertake a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 to inform the development of the final service specification and procurement approach for a staffing‑only catering solution at Edwards Court. Engagement will be conducted through a written questionnaire and, where appropriate, follow‑up clarification discussions to understand market capability, capacity, compliance requirements, and delivery models. The engagement is non‑binding and will be undertaken in a manner that ensures equal treatment and transparency; participation in the market engagement will not be a condition of participation in the subsequent Request for Quotation. Information obtained will be used solely to refine the scope, performance requirements, and contractual arrangements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067e7b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032162-2026
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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Apr 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Apr 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 May 2029 3-4 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
EXETER CITY 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
EXETER
Postcode
EX1 1JN
Post Town
Exeter
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
TLK43 Devon CC
Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
St David's
Westminster Constituency
Exeter

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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