This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

10 Aug 2026 at 14:07

Planning

28 May 2026 at 09:04

Planning

07 May 2026 at 13:13

Summary of the contracting process

Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO, is currently in the tender stage for the procurement of "175_27 Catering Disposables". This tender, with a budget of approximately GBP 1,000,000, encompasses a catalogue framework for various catering disposables to be used by educational institutions and other public sectors. The project, which operates under an open procedure, involves the supply of items such as paper and plastic cups, napkins, foil, and festive products, all to be stocked for resale through the ESPO Catalogue. The tender submission deadline is set for 11 September 2026, with opportunities available across the UK, specifically at ESPO's distribution centre in Leicester. This project falls under the goods procurement category and is designed to adhere to certain regulatory frameworks and competition processes.

This tender opportunity is ideal for suppliers specialising in catering supplies, particularly those with experience in delivering disposable and biodegradable products. As the framework is divided into two distinct lots, it offers significant business growth potential for companies able to provide high-quality catering disposables or innovative biodegradable solutions. The procurement process is designed to accommodate small and medium enterprises (SMEs), making it suitable for businesses looking to expand their market reach within the public sector. With both competition and call-off methods available, suppliers have the chance to secure ongoing business with a major local authority, enhancing their credentials and market presence.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

175_27 Catering Disposables

Notice Description

ESPO is a trading department of Leicestershire County Council. It is a non-profit making body owned and operated jointly by six local authorities. We provide a catalogue range, providing our customers with access to over 28,000 products that cover all key areas of education and wider public sector requirements. We are establishing a catalogue framework for the supply of catering disposables, including paper and plastic cups, napkins and serviettes, food and freezer bags, wooden cutlery, cling film, foil and festive products. All products are for ESPO stock for resale via the ESPO Catalogue. The Framework is divided into 2 lots. Please refer to the tender documents for any further details (including further details on each of the lots) - the closing date for submission of Tenders is 12:00 (12 noon / 12pm) on 11 September 2026. To tender (please proceed to step (e) if an expression of interest has already been completed): (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/ (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity 175_27 (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); (d) Express an interest; (e) Download the tender documents (from the ProContract Activity summary screen). Any questions or clarifications relating to this tender opportunity should be submitted to ESPO as a message on the eProcurement Portal, once an Expression of interest has been completed.

Lot Information

Disposable Catering Products

The supply of disposable catering products including but not limited to: * Paper and plastic cups, plates, cake cases and bags * Plastic food bags and clingfilm * Serviettes, napkins, and tableware * Foil containers, trays, dishes and roll * Miscellaneous catering disposables All products are for delivery to ESPO's distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 175_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are in line with the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 24 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Biodegradable Catering Products

The supply of biodegradable catering products including but not limited to: * Cups * Cup Carriers * Containers * Bowls * Paper Straws * Food Trays * Wooden Cutlery * Bagasse Products All products are for delivery to ESPO's distribution centre, Leicester.

Options: ESPO reserves the right to add or remove products (i.e., those products listed within the Framework Pricing Schedule, 175_27) throughout the lifetime of the Framework, so long as they are in line with the Framework scope.

Renewal: Once the initial period of the contract has ended (i.e., 31 March 2029), there is an option to extend the framework by up to a further 24 months. This is dependent on ESPO, ESPO Customers, and market needs, as well as the performance of sales. Total estimated values captured in this notice include the option to extend the framework as noted above.

Planning Information

The purpose of the Pre-Market Engagement (PME) is to cover a range of topics designed to best explore our requirements in a possible future procurement. These topics may include: 1. Develop ESPO’s requirements and approach to the procurement. 2. Help better identify suitable suppliers in the market and to understand their supply chains. 3. Understand products/service offerings from suppliers and the marketplace in general. Engagement with suppliers is anticipated to be a mix of methods, including Requests for Information (RFI) hosted on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal (www.eastmidstenders.org), and meetings (both virtual and in-person). Visits to supplier’s premises may also be used where deemed to be of particular use. Suppliers wishing to participate in the engagement process must first express an interest as follows: (a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '175_27' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest. Suppliers can then access the RFI questionnaire in the ‘Messages’ section via the ‘Activity’ dashboard once an expression of interest has been registered - the deadline for responding to the RFI is 17:00 (5pm) on 12 June 2026. Responses to the RFI as well as any questions or clarifications should be submitted to ESPO as a message on the eProcurement Portal. Notwithstanding the above process, as this procurement exercise is a renewal of an existing ESPO framework, ESPO reserves the right to engage with some, all or none of the incumbent suppliers appointed to the existing ESPO framework, alongside any additional suppliers identified following the above expressions of interests and/or a RFI exercise.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069374
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075817-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£833,333 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£833,333 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Aug 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
11 Sep 20261 months to go
Future Notice Date
4 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, TRADING AS ESPO
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEICESTER
Postcode
LE19 1ES
Post Town
Leicester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF2 Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF22 Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Blaby
Electoral Ward
Enderby
Westminster Constituency
South Leicestershire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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