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Catering Technologies and Services

THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

25 Sep 2026 at 10:36

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University Caterers Organisation Limited (TUCO) plans to procure catering technology and related services for its member institutions, including universities and colleges, healthcare organisations and local authorities. The intended framework covers systems used to run catering operations: purchasing-to-payment software, food safety and compliance tools, digital signage, electronic point-of-sale systems, greenhouse gas calculators and food waste management systems. The work is intended for use across the United Kingdom. Suppliers may be relevant if they provide one or more of these technology solutions or supporting services to institutional catering operations.

This procurement is at the planning stage: TUCO has announced its intention to establish an open framework, but has not yet invited tenders. It anticipates using the open procedure and dividing the framework into six lots, one for each technology area. The estimated value is £1.2 million a year and £9.6 million over eight years; the stated gross value is £11.52 million. The planned contract period runs from 1 December 2027 to 30 November 2035. TUCO expects to publish a preliminary market engagement notice on 10 May 2027, with a supplier questionnaire seeking feedback on the proposed lots, commercial models and suppliers’ capabilities. No evaluation criteria are set out at this stage.

The framework is suited to suppliers with products or services in one or more of the six catering technology areas, rather than only firms offering a complete catering operation. The planned lot structure offers distinct areas for specialist providers, and small and medium-sized businesses are identified as suitable. Suppliers can prepare to contribute to TUCO’s planned market engagement by considering how the proposed lots and commercial models fit their offer and by giving feedback on market capability when the questionnaire is issued. The intended customers span higher and further education, healthcare, local authorities and other TUCO members, so relevant experience serving institutional catering operations may help suppliers shape a suitable response when the tender is developed.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Catering Technologies and Services

Notice Description

TUCO intends to establish an Open Framework for Catering Technologies and Services, covering technology solutions used by TUCO member institutions (higher education, further education, healthcare, local authority and other member organisations) to run their catering operations. The Framework is anticipated to be structured into six Lots: P2P System; Food Safety & Compliance; Digital Signage; EPOS (Point of Sale); Greenhouse Gas Calculator; and Food Waste Management Systems. Estimated annual value is PS1.2m; PS9.6m over 8 years Open Framework (a scheme of successive frameworks under section 49 of the Procurement Act 2023), anticipated to be awarded following the Open procedure. This Pipeline Notice provides advance notice of TUCO's intention to establish an Open Framework for Catering Technologies and Services. A UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN) will follow in due course, which will include a supplier questionnaire to gather feedback from potential suppliers on the proposed Lot structure, commercial models, and market capability ahead of the tender. Suppliers interested in this opportunity are encouraged to look out for the UK2 notice and to respond to the questionnaire when published.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077a3d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/090870-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline 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

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

30200000 - Computer equipment and supplies

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£9,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 May 20278 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2027 - 30 Nov 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MANCHESTER
Postcode
M2 5GP
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD33 Manchester
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Manchester
Electoral Ward
Deansgate
Westminster Constituency
Manchester Central

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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