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Catering Consultancy Framework Agreement

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 Oct 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), working with its wholly owned subsidiary Botanics Trading Company, is considering a framework for specialist catering consultancy. The work would provide independent advice across visitor, staff and commercial catering and hospitality operations. Possible assignments include catering strategy and options appraisal; market research, benchmarking and financial modelling; service reviews and business cases; procurement planning, specifications and pricing models; support with catering service and concession procurements; bid evaluation and award support; mobilisation and transition; and contract performance review, audit and improvement. The services would support RBGE and Botanics Trading Company’s catering arrangements in Edinburgh.

This process is at the planning stage: RBGE is undertaking preliminary market engagement before deciding its final procurement strategy. The framework is being considered as a way to obtain specialist support when needs arise; it is not yet an invitation to tender. RBGE’s expected next notice date is 11 January 2027. Organisations interested in the possible framework were invited to express interest within a month, so this is market engagement rather than a tender submission deadline. The planning information does not set out a procedure, contract term or estimated value. The proposed arrangement is described as a single framework, with no further lot structure stated.

The work is suited to consultancy firms with demonstrable expertise in catering and hospitality, particularly those able to combine strategic, commercial, financial, operational and procurement advice. RBGE is looking for providers with capacity to respond flexibly to call-off requirements across a varied portfolio, from market analysis and commercial modelling through to contract mobilisation and performance improvement. Firms with experience developing catering specifications, pricing models and business cases, and supporting procurement evaluations, contract awards and concession agreements, should be well placed. Independent review, audit and benchmarking capability would also be relevant. The buyer is seeking market feedback on supplier capacity and interest before finalising its procurement approach, so this stage offers a chance for suitably experienced consultancies to prepare and signal their interest ahead of a future competition.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Catering Consultancy Framework Agreement

Notice Description

Framework Agreement for specialist catering consultancy services, including catering strategy, market analysis, commercial modelling, procurement support, contract and concession development, implementation and performance review.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to the possible establishment of a Framework Agreement for the provision of specialist catering consultancy services. RBGE and its wholly owned subsidiary, Botanics Trading Company (BTC), periodically require independent expert support in the development, procurement, implementation, review and management of catering and hospitality arrangements across a diverse portfolio of visitor, staff and commercial catering operations. The proposed Framework Agreement would provide access to suitably experienced consultancy providers capable of delivering strategic, commercial, financial, operational and procurement-related advice. Call-off requirements may include, but are not limited to: Catering strategy development and options appraisal; Market research, benchmarking and soft market testing; Financial and commercial modelling; Catering service reviews and business case development; Procurement strategy and route-to-market advice; Development of specifications, service descriptions and pricing models; Support for the procurement of catering service contracts and concession agreements; Evaluation, clarification and contract award support; Mobilisation, implementation and transition planning; Contract and concession performance review, audit and improvement support. The Framework Agreement is intended to provide flexible access to specialist expertise as requirements arise. RBGE is seeking feedback from the market on supplier capacity and level of interest prior to determining the final procurement strategy for our catering consultancy needs. Interested organisations are invited to express their interest within a month if they are interested in the opportunity. We will inform those interested prior to publishing upon approval and finalisation of tender documentation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000844999
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566105
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Jan 20274 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
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
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
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
EH3 5LR
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
TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Inverleith
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh North and Leith

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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