This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

21 Sep 2026 at 09:53

Tender

14 Aug 2026 at 15:28

Summary of the contracting process

Virano Frameworks Ltd is procuring a managed catering services framework for schools, academies, multi-academy trusts, colleges, universities and other eligible education bodies across the United Kingdom. The requirement covers managed school catering and school meal services, including primary meal provision, secondary retail catering and mixed primary and secondary estates. The appointed provider will deliver menu development, food and ingredient supply, mobilisation, operational management, compliance support, training, reporting, performance monitoring, contract management and continuous improvement. It will also support participating authorities with procurement, implementation, supplier management and tailored call-off arrangements. This is a services opportunity with an associated food-supply element, classified under CPV 55524000, school catering services.

The process has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 and the Light Touch Regime. It is a single-supplier framework, with call-offs awarded directly under the framework without reopening competition. The tender and enquiry deadline was 25 September 2026 at 11:00 UTC. The intended award period ended on 19 October 2026 at 23:59 BST. The framework period is 2 November 2026 to 1 November 2030. Its estimated value is £20,000,000 excluding VAT, or £24,000,000 including VAT. Quality accounts for 60%, primary and secondary food-pricing methodologies 12.5% each, managed service fees 10%, and food-margin and supply-chain transparency 5%.

This opportunity suits established managed catering operators able to run education-sector services across multiple sites and geographical areas. Tenderers must provide two to three relevant contracts delivered within the previous three years, demonstrating comparable complexity and experience in managed catering for education customers; equivalent evidence may be accepted where appropriate. The successful supplier will need credible food operations, transparent and auditable pricing, menu and supply-chain management, mobilisation, compliance, training, reporting and continuous-improvement capability. Financial due diligence, including credit checks and appraisal, applies. Required insurance levels are £10 million employers’ liability, £10 million public liability, £1 million professional indemnity and £1 million product liability. Small and medium-sized enterprises are considered suitable.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Virano Managed Service Catering Framework

Notice Description

Virano Frameworks Ltd is seeking to establish a single supplier framework agreement for the provision of managed catering services, primarily for education settings and other eligible contracting authorities. The framework is intended to support schools, academies, multi-academy trusts, colleges, universities and other educational bodies with the delivery of compliant, high-quality and value-for-money managed catering services. The framework will cover managed school catering and school meal services, including primary meal provision, secondary retail catering provision and mixed primary/secondary estate arrangements. Services may include menu development, food and ingredient supply, mobilisation, operational management support, compliance support, training, reporting, performance monitoring, contract management and continuous improvement under a managed service model. The framework will be awarded to one supplier only. Future call-off contracts may be awarded to the appointed supplier in accordance with the framework agreement and call-off methodology set out in the procurement documents. Appointment to the framework does not guarantee any minimum level of work, value, volume or exclusivity. Call-off contracts must remain within the scope of the framework, specification, pricing methodology and framework terms. The call-off process will be used to confirm customer-specific requirements, apply the approved pricing methodology, agree mobilisation and service-specific details and complete the relevant call-off contract. It must not be used to reopen competition or renegotiate framework terms. The framework is expected to commence on 2 November 2026 and will operate for four years. The procurement is being conducted under the Procurement Act 2023 using the open procedure and is considered suitable for the Light Touch Regime as its principal subject matter is the provision of managed school catering and school meal services.

Lot Information

Lot LOT-0000

Options: The Framework associated Call-Off Contracts may be extended in accordance with their terms. Call-Off Contracts may include additional schools, sites and service locations and may be varied to reflect changes in service requirements, meal volumes, pupil numbers and operational arrangements, provided such changes remain within the scope of the Framework. The Framework may also include optional managed catering support services as described in the procurement documents.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e4e2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088968-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
25 Sep 20263 days to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 1 Nov 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
2030-01-07

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Virano Frameworks Ltd
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWTON ABBOT
Postcode
TQ12 3SB
Postcode Area
Torquay
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
Not specified

Local Authority
Teignbridge
Electoral Ward
Kingsteignton East
Westminster Constituency
Newton Abbot

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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