Planning

Catering Outsourced Services Retender

LONDON UNIVERSITIES PURCHASING CONSORTIUM

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Apr 2026 at 11:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The London Universities Purchasing Consortium is currently in the planning stage for the "Catering Outsourced Services Retender," aimed at establishing a national Framework Agreement for catering services across the United Kingdom. The procurement process initiated on 28th April 2026 and focuses on services in the canteen and catering sector. Feedback from interested parties is being gathered to inform the engagement milestone, with relevant input due by 31st August 2026. Institutions under the Consortium will benefit from high-quality outsourced catering services over a framework period that could extend up to four years, contingent on satisfactory performance. The procurement's preliminary market engagement suggests opportunities for further collaboration, with a formal tender notice expected to be published by 1st October 2026.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for catering businesses, particularly those with experience in large-scale and diverse catering operations. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to compete as the framework agreement supports their participation. Businesses that specialise in institutional catering and hospitality services can engage with universities and other member institutions by providing services under call-off contracts. As the Consortium seeks to achieve greater value for money, firms offering innovative solutions that enhance service quality while maintaining cost-effectiveness will find this a fitting opportunity to expand their footprint in the public procurement domain.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Catering Outsourced Services Retender

Notice Description

LUPC is working with its Member Institutions and those of the other UKUPCs to re-establish a national Framework Agreement for the Provision of Catering Outsourced Services across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Member Institutions of all UKUPCs will be able to use this Framework Agreement. Our Members operate a variety of catering services throughout their institutions ranging from cafes and refectories to internal hospitality and corporate events. The Consortia is inviting feedback from suitably qualified and experienced providers for the provision of these services to Member Institutions under a framework agreement that will run initially for two years, with two one year extensions up to a maximum period of four years, subject to satisfactory performance. The Consortia's objective is to ensure that it receives quality catering outsourced services for its Members and it will work closely with the chosen Providers throughout the term of the agreement to achieve greater value for money for Members. The resulting Framework Agreement will allow qualifying Providers to supply the Consortia Members with the services identified in the Invitation to Tender, at the agreed prices and terms and for the duration of the Framework term. Member Institutions will engage firms by issuing individual call-off instructions as and when required. Please complete the questionnaire located here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/ngF9mAbKyD LUPC will collate responses and may reach out to interested parties to engage in further PME processes. Please note: We have not added a value to this project yet. Value will become clearer nearer to tender stage.

Planning Information

We are looking for feedback via the link here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/ngF9mAbKyD

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068c8b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038485-2026
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55500000 - Canteen and 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
28 Apr 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 20266 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 May 2027 - 4 May 2029 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
LONDON UNIVERSITIES PURCHASING CONSORTIUM
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
EC3R 8HN
Post Town
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
City of London
Electoral Ward
Tower
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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