---
title: "Provision of Train Catering Services (Avanti and TransPennine Express)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0365fe"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0365fe"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0365fe.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0365fe.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "FIRST RAIL HOLDINGS LIMITED"
published: "2024-03-13"
---

# Provision of Train Catering Services (Avanti and TransPennine Express)

Buyer: FIRST RAIL HOLDINGS LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0365fe

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## Summary

The procurement process for the Provision of Train Catering Services was initiated by First Rail Holdings for Avanti and TransPennine Express. The tender, which has now been cancelled, aimed to provide end-to-end catering services including new product development, final mile logistics, and on-train retail services. The process was in the award stage before cancellation on the 13th of March 2024.

Despite the cancellation, such tenders offer growth opportunities for businesses in the catering services industry, particularly those experienced in transport enterprises. Companies well-versed in food product development, supply chain management, and catering service provision could have competed. The negotiated procedure with prior call for competition method was used in this tender, presenting avenues to showcase specialised skills and compete for future opportunities in the evolving rail industry.

## Notice

First Rail Holdings (FRH) tender for On-Train Catering Services on behalf of Avanti West Coast (Avanti) and Transpennine Express (TPE) for the provision of end to end Catering Services including; New Product Development (NPD)/ Product Procurement & Delivery and associated Supply Chain Management, Final Mile Logistics (from receipt of Goods into Service Centre through to delivery to trainside) and Outsourced On-Train Retail Trolley Services (TPE only). On-Train Catering Services relate to the provision of food products suitable for either retail or complimentary purposes on board train services in First Class, Standard Premium (Avanti only) or Standard Class to ensure rail passenger access to refreshments during their journey either via trolley services or dedicated onboard sales outlets. NB This requirement also includes the provision of products to First Class lounge facilities at specific stations, special events and some HQ Office locations.

### Lot Information

Avanti West Coast Final Mile Logistics (incl. overall governance responsibility for Lot 2)

The successful tenderer will be accountable for all processes and staffing requirements relating to the safe and efficient management of catering goods from the point they enter their specified premises, through delivery to the train and then reverse logistics for goods coming back. Key activities include: * Professional, safe and efficient warehouse management, including relevant IT systems. * Maximising availability, whilst minimising waste * Product order and delivery to trains, lounges etc in accordance with forecasting provided by Avanti. * Maintenance of Avanti premises and assets. * Robust safety and food safety systems to ensure that all safety risks are managed, monitored and minimised. *Engagement and management of the supplier staff, minimising sickness and turnover. * NB for the avoidance of doubt, staffing onboard Avanti trains is OUT of scope, as this is conducted in-house by Avanti. * TUPE applies for incumbent Supplier staff (c 211 individuals)

Renewal: Option to extend the contract for a period up to 24 months. NB The estimated contract value specified in II.2.6 is for the initial 3 year term. The estimated value of the 2 year extension value is estimated at PS25,700,000. Therefore the total estimated contract value is PS62,500,000 for the full 5 year term.

Avanti West Coast New Product Development/Procurement & Delivery and associated Supply Chain Management

The successful tenderers will be accountable for the processes and staffing required to deliver services through lead all processes from New Product Development/Product Specification through to delivery to specified premises of the final mile logistics (i.e., Service Centre locations as detailed in the PQQ documentation). Key activities include: * NPD activities: Avanti to provide a brief, the passenger forecast and the budget. The supplier must provide a specification against this to meet the brief. * Sourcing products at the best value for money price, and then actively managing this to ensure we stay competitive through the product lifecycle. *Ensuring our Supplier base is safe and responsible. * Management of lower tier (subcontracted third party) food and product suppliers either sourced by the supplier or designated by Avanti. *Specification, order and supply of food and ancillary catering product. This includes creation of documentation such as calorific and allergen advice, maintenance of a 'bill of materials'. *Accountable for ensuring the correct level of food and catering product is available for order and/or push to the final mile logistics supplier. * Sense check of orders to minimise waste due to error and/or system fault. * Invoicing Avanti for the goods procured, with appropriate backup such that it is clear that goods were received. * TUPE applied for incumbent Supplier staff (c 6 individuals)

Renewal: Option to extend the contract for a period up to 24 months. NB The estimated contract value stated in II.2.6 is for the initial 3 year term of the agreement. The estimated value of the 2 year extension value is PS44,000,000. Therefore the total estimated contract value is PS106,700,000 for the full 5 year term.

TransPennine Express Wholly Outsourced On-Train Catering Services

The successful tenderer will be accountable for the processes and staffing required to lead all processes from New Product Development/Product Specification through to delivery to specified premises for final mile logistics, together with all processes relating to the safe and efficient management of catering goods from the point they enter their specified premises, through delivery to the train, and then reverse logistics for goods coming back. In addition, the successful tenderer will be accountable for all processes and staffing required to deliver on-train catering retail Services for rail customers to purchase food and beverage on board specified TPE train services. Key activities include: Professional, safe and efficient warehouse management, including relevant IT systems, Maximising availability, whilst minimising waste. Product order and delivery to trains etc in accordance with forecasting provided by TPE Maintenance of TPE premises and assets, Robust safety and food safety systems to ensure that all safety risks are managed, monitored and minimised, Engagement and management of the supplier staff, minimising sickness and turnover. NPD activities: TPE provide a brief, the passenger forecast and the budget. The supplier must provide a specification against this to meet the brief. Sourcing products at the best value for money price, and then actively managing this to ensure we stay competitive through the product lifecycle. Ensuring our Supplier base is safe, and responsible. Management of lower tier (subcontracted third party) food and product suppliers either sourced by the supplier or designated by TPE. Specification, order and supply of food and ancillary catering product. This includes creation of documentation such as calorific and allergen advice, maintenance of a 'bill of materials'. Accountable for ensuring the correct level of food and catering product is available for order and/or push to the final mile logistics supplier. Sense check of orders to minimise waste due to error and/or system fault. Providing open book management information to demonstrate performance against the agreed P&L account. NB For the avoidance of doubt, staffing onboard TPE trains is IN scope for this Lot. * TUPE applies for incumbent Supplier staff (c 145 individuals).

Renewal: Option to extend the contract for a period up to 24 months. NB The estimated contract value stated in II.2.6 is for the initial 3 year term of the agreement. The estimated value of the 2 year extension is PS13,400,000. Therefore the total estimated contract value is PS33,500,000 for the full 5 year term.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008059-2024 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated procedure with prior call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Mar 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 6 Oct 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 13 Mar 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £119,600,000 |
| Lots value | £119,600,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Cancelled |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Unsuccessful |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | FIRST RAIL HOLDINGS LIMITED |
| Additional buyers | FIRST TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS LIMITED; FIRST TRENITALIA WEST COAST RAIL LIMITED |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | West London |
| Postcode | W2 1AF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | Hyde Park |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products
- 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

### Codes

- 15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products
- 55520000 - Catering services
- 55522000 - Catering services for transport enterprises

## Release History

- 13 Mar 2024 at 15:25 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008059-2024
- 5 Sep 2022 at 17:56 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024868-2022

## Notice URLs

- http://redirect.transaxions.com/events/68AXq
- https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
- https://www.firstgroupplc.com
- https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0365fe. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0365fe.json.