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Orbital South Colleges Catering Services: East Surrey College & John Ruskin College

East Surrey College

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Nov 2026 at 12:57

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

East Surrey College is seeking a catering contractor for East Surrey College and John Ruskin College, part of Orbital South Colleges. The service is to provide meals for students, staff and visitors, with an emphasis on healthy, competitively priced food, authentic recipes and ingredients, and good value. The colleges also want food education and sustainability initiatives, alongside service development and innovation. Catering services include school catering (CPV 55524000). Delivery is in Surrey, serving the two colleges; the wider group also includes Reigate School of Art and Orbital South Colleges University Centre, but this contract is for East Surrey College and John Ruskin College.

The buyer invited offers through a two-stage competitive flexible procedure: suppliers first complete a Procurement Specific Questionnaire, after which shortlisted suppliers are invited to tender. The enquiry deadline was 22 November 2026 at 12:00, and the deadline for expressions of interest and PSQ submissions was 27 November 2026 at 12:00. The award decision was due by 15 February 2027. The contract runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with two possible one-year extensions, giving a maximum period to 31 March 2032. The estimated contract value is £1.9 million. There is one lot. Evaluation weights are quality 60%, cost 30%, and clarifications and presentations 10%.

This opportunity suits a catering operator able to run services across multiple education sites and serve students, staff and visitors. The buyer seeks healthy, competitively priced meals that offer value, with authentic recipes and ingredients. Suppliers should be able to develop the service proactively, suggest practical improvements and bring ideas for food education and sustainability. Experience in similar large, multi-site education catering operations is preferable. TUPE applies, so bidders should be prepared to address the transfer of affected staff as part of taking on the service. The stated priorities favour operators with the operational capacity to sustain day-to-day catering across both colleges while maintaining food quality and improving the offer over time.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Orbital South Colleges Catering Services: East Surrey College & John Ruskin College

Notice Description

Orbital South Colleges (OSC) is a leading further education group comprising East Surrey College, John Ruskin College, Reigate School of Art and Orbital South Colleges University Centre. The Colleges provide an extensive range of vocational, technical and professional education, from entry level through to degree-level study, including apprenticeships, Higher National qualifications and professional courses. Teaching is delivered by experienced, industry-qualified staff and is supported by strong links with employers, careers services and local communities. OSC is undertaking this tender exercise to source a flexible and best value catering contractor with whom they can partner with to achieve service excellence through the provision of a great tasting food, made with authentic recipes and ingredients. Healthy eating, service innovation and added value through food education and sustainability initiatives are equally as important. The successful contractor is to provide healthy and competitively priced meals for all students, staff and visitors, and always ensure that the outcome will provide best value to the Colleges. OSC is seeking a contractor who has a proactive approach to service development and innovation and will propose practical enhancements to the services as well as innovative ideas to develop and improve the services for all stakeholders. The contract being tendered for is to start from 1st April 2027 for an initial three-year term with the option to extend for up to two further one-year periods. Experience of similar large education-based multi-site operations is preferable. TUPE will apply.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Up to 24 months on a +1 year +1 year basis

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07958f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103717-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55523000 - Catering services for other enterprises or other institutions

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,900,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,900,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Nov 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
East Surrey College
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
REDHILL
Postcode
RH1 2JX
Postcode Area
Redhill
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ26 East Surrey
Delivery Location
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Local Authority
Reigate and Banstead
Electoral Ward
Redhill East
Westminster Constituency
Reigate

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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