Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Provision of Outsourced Catering Services

SRUC

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

09 Sep 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

13 Mar 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F14 - Corrigendum
Tender

13 Feb 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

SRUC procured outsourced catering services for five college campuses in Scotland. The requirement covered modern, high-quality, financially sustainable catering that supports healthy eating, improves the student experience and contributes to SRUC’s long-term strategic aims. Services were required at Craibstone Campus in Aberdeen, Elmwood Campus in Cupar, Oatridge Campus in Broxburn, King’s Buildings Campus in Edinburgh and Barony Campus in Dumfries. The service model was intended to move from subsidy towards a nil-cost or low-subsidy arrangement, with potential profit sharing. SRUC also sought commercially robust, technology-enabled operations, innovation, improved efficiency and recognised catering-industry practice. The procurement was for services classified under catering and restaurant provision.

The procurement has been completed and all five lots were awarded to Baxterstorey. The contracts were signed on 6 July 2026 and are active. Awards and contract values were: Oatridge Campus, Broxburn, £56,932; King’s Buildings Campus, Edinburgh, £98,447; Barony Campus, Dumfries, £187,315; Craibstone Campus, Aberdeen, £209,000; and Elmwood Campus, Cupar, £11,400. Each lot had a planned 1,800-day contract period, with two possible one-year extensions. SRUC used an open procedure, with electronic submission and variants allowed. Bids were evaluated on quality at 60% and price at 40%. Suppliers could bid for all five lots. Three bids were received for each lot, all electronically, and none came from SMEs. SRUC identified February 2031 as the recurring procurement date if extensions are not agreed.

This award shows demand for multi-site education-sector catering across Aberdeen, Cupar, Broxburn, Edinburgh and Dumfries, with requirements spanning both larger and smaller campus operations. A credible future competitor would need to manage catering consistently across geographically dispersed sites while adapting service levels to individual campuses. The buyer prioritised quality over price, so evidence of strong food service, healthy eating, student-focused provision and reliable customer experience would matter alongside commercial competitiveness. Suppliers would also need a financially sustainable operating model capable of reducing reliance on subsidy, potentially supporting profit sharing. Technology-enabled delivery, operational efficiency, innovation and established catering-sector practice were central expectations. The repeated three-bid field and absence of SME bidders indicate competition from larger operators and the importance of demonstrable capacity for a broad, multi-campus service.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Outsourced Catering Services

Notice Description

SRUC requires a financially sustainable and forward looking catering service that delivers value for money, enhances the student experience, and supports SRUC's long term strategic aims.

Lot Information

Craibstone Campus, Aberdeen

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is seeking a catering partner to deliver a modern, high quality and financially sustainable service at Craibstone Campus. The contract aims to transition from a subsidised arrangement to a nil cost or low subsidy model, with potential for profit share, while supporting healthy eating, sustainability and an enhanced student experience. The service must be commercially robust and technology enabled, delivering innovation, operational efficiency and best industry practice in line with SRUC's strategic objectives.

Renewal: Two x one year contract extension(s) available.

Elmwood Campus, Cupar

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is seeking a catering partner to deliver a modern, high quality and financially sustainable service at Elmwood Campus. The contract aims to transition from a subsidised arrangement to a nil cost or low subsidy model, with potential for profit share, while supporting healthy eating, sustainability and an enhanced student experience. The service must be commercially robust and technology enabled, delivering innovation, operational efficiency and best industry practice in line with SRUC's strategic objectives.

Renewal: Two x one year contract extension(s) available.

Oatridge Campus, Broxburn

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is seeking a catering partner to deliver a modern, high quality and financially sustainable service at Oatridge Campus. The contract aims to transition from a subsidised arrangement to a nil cost or low subsidy model, with potential for profit share, while supporting healthy eating, sustainability and an enhanced student experience. The service must be commercially robust and technology enabled, delivering innovation, operational efficiency and best industry practice in line with SRUC's strategic objectives.

Renewal: Two x one year contract extension(s) available.

Kings Buildings Campus, Edinburgh

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is seeking a catering partner to deliver a modern, high quality and financially sustainable service at King's Buildings Campus. The contract aims to transition from a subsidised arrangement to a nil cost or low subsidy model, with potential for profit share, while supporting healthy eating, sustainability and an enhanced student experience. The service must be commercially robust and technology enabled, delivering innovation, operational efficiency and best industry practice in line with SRUC's strategic objectives.

Renewal: Two x one year contract extension(s) available.

Barony Campus, Dumfries

Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) is seeking a catering partner to deliver a modern, high quality and financially sustainable service at Barony Campus. The contract aims to transition from a subsidised arrangement to a nil cost or low subsidy model, with potential for profit share, while supporting healthy eating, sustainability and an enhanced student experience. The service must be commercially robust and technology enabled, delivering innovation, operational efficiency and best industry practice in line with SRUC's strategic objectives.

Renewal: Two x one year contract extension(s) available.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000823631
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564199
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,750,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£563,094 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
February 2031 if extensions are not agreed.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SRUC
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH9 3JG
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, TLM72 Clackmannanshire and Fife, TLM75 City of Edinburgh, TLM78 West Lothian, TLM92 Dumfries and Galloway
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Southside/Newington
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Baxterstorey

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.

Loading OCDS record...