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Onboard Supply of Food, Beverages and Alcohol

Transport for Wales

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

01 Oct 2026 at 15:24

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Transport for Wales (TFW) is exploring a framework agreement to supply food, non-alcoholic drinks and alcohol for its onboard retail and hospitality operations. The proposed arrangement is divided into two lots: food and non-alcoholic beverages, and alcohol. Suppliers could later bid for either lot or both. The buyer is TFW, based in Pontypridd, and the goods are intended for onboard operations in the United Kingdom. This is a goods supply requirement for businesses involved in food, drink or alcohol distribution and supply to transport hospitality or retail services.

The process is at planning: TFW is conducting preliminary market engagement to shape its procurement strategy, and no tender has commenced. It expects to use a framework agreement split into two lots. The estimated value is £1.1 million excluding VAT (£1.32 million including VAT). For the listed food and non-alcoholic beverages lot, the anticipated contract period runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029, with an extension possible to 31 March 2030. TFW expects to publish a future notice by 30 November 2026. The buyer is seeking questionnaire responses by midnight on 25 October 2026 to gauge market interest, supplier capacity, interest in bidding for one or both lots, geographical reach, and barriers or opportunities affecting participation. This voluntary engagement does not affect future competition.

The proposed requirement is relevant to suppliers able to provide food and non-alcoholic drinks, alcohol, or both, for onboard retail and hospitality. The two-lot structure may suit businesses specialising in one product area as well as suppliers with a broader range. TFW is using this stage to understand suppliers’ capability and capacity across the proposed lots, operational reach and location, and appetite to compete for one or both. It also wants to identify barriers and opportunities that could influence participation, so suppliers with insight into delivering products for onboard services can help shape the future procurement strategy. The engagement questionnaire is voluntary; taking part gives no advantage or disadvantage in a later competition. There are no stated accreditation or other qualification requirements at this planning stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Onboard Supply of Food, Beverages and Alcohol

Notice Description

Transport for Wales is undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to a proposed framework agreement for the onboard supply of food, beverages and alcohol. The proposed framework is expected to comprise two separate lots: Lot 1: Food Supply & Non-Alcoholic Beverages Supply Lot 2: Alcohol Supply The framework will support the provision of products for onboard retail and hospitality operations. Suppliers may have the opportunity to bid for one, or two lots as part of any future procurement process. At this stage, no procurement has commenced and this notice is issued solely for the purpose of market engagement and obtaining feedback from potential suppliers.

Planning Information

The contracting authority is exploring the establishment of a new framework agreement for the onboard supply of food, beverages and alcohol and is keen to engage with suppliers operating within these sectors. Interested suppliers are invited to complete a short questionnaire to: • Assess the level of market interest in the proposed framework; • Understand supplier capability and capacity across the two proposed lots; • Determine whether suppliers would be interested in bidding for one, or both lots; • Understand the geographical location and operational reach of potential suppliers; • Identify any barriers, opportunities or considerations that may influence participation in a future procurement. Participation in this market engagement exercise is entirely voluntary and will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement process. Information gathered will be used solely to inform the authority's procurement strategy and market understanding. Suppliers wishing to participate should complete and return the questionnaire in accordance with the instructions provided within this notice. Copy and paste the following URL to access the questionnaire: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/kETBP3bN4F Alternatively, please email supplychain@tfw.wales for a link to the questionnaire. The closing date for responses is midnight on Sunday 25th October 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077ede
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092953-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

CPV Codes

15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,100,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Nov 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 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
Transport for Wales
Additional Buyers

Transport for Wales Rail Limited (Utility Buyer)

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PONTYPRIDD
Postcode
CF37 4TH
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Electoral Ward
Pontypridd Town
Westminster Constituency
Pontypridd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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