---
title: "Supply of Ambient Meal solutions for First-Class offering"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04e2cf"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e2cf"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e2cf.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e2cf.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "XC TRAINS LIMITED"
published: "2026-06-08"
---

# Supply of Ambient Meal solutions for First-Class offering

Buyer: XC TRAINS LIMITED  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04e2cf

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## Summary

XC Trains Limited has engaged in a procurement process for the "Supply of Ambient Meal Solutions for First-Class Offering," focused on providing prepared meals for their services under the main procurement category of goods. The contract, which has reached the award stage as of 8th June 2026, details the complete supply of ambient ready meals and snack products needing no refrigeration for the first-class passengers. The procurement was conducted through a selective negotiation process with a prior call for competition. Key delivery requirements include multiple UK railway stations such as Birmingham New Street and Edinburgh Waverley. The procurement process, initiated to enhance food services on CrossCountry trains, highlights a contract period with core terms of 2 years and potential extensions. Dates of significance include the contract's signing on 5th June 2026, with other stages having been initiated as early as February 2025.

This procurement represents significant growth opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers of ambient meals and sustainable catering supplies. Businesses that can supply innovative, convenient, and high-quality prepared meal solutions—particularly those with expertise in providing long shelf-life vegan and vegetarian options—stand to benefit greatly. Companies focusing on environmental sustainability and logistical excellence would find this contract particularly suited to their strengths, given the emphasis on sustainable packaging and operational efficiency. Furthermore, the flexibility to adapt meal offerings to seasonal trends provides an opportunity for businesses to continuously innovate and align with emerging market trends.

## Notice

The Supplier shall be responsible for the supply of a range of ambient ready meal/snack products to XC, including the supply of any bespoke meal requirements. This will be done in accordance with requirements and standards which will be set out in the tender documentation. Supply of both ambient main meal and starter/or tapas snack solutions. * An ambient snack in the style of a starter/tapas - the snack should not require refrigeration or heating before serving, with a minimum shelf life of 2 months or higher (once delivered to XC locations). Storage at ambient temperature in a self-contained packaging is required per each snack. * An ambient meal in the style of a main course option. This type of meal will need to be microwaveable in the on-board commercial microwave, allowing for convenient delivery to our on-board customers. It should require minimal preparation (no decanting of products) and storage at ambient temperature in a self-contained packaging for each meal that can also be used to serve/present to First-Class customers. The shelf life should be a minimum of 2 months ambiently stored (once received at XC locations). * A vegetarian option which is also suitable for vegan dietary requirements will be required for both meal solutions. This must also be ambiently stored in a self-contained packaging for each snack/meal with a minimum shelf life of 2 months or higher (once received at XC locations). It should require minimal preparation (no decanting of products). * The Supplier shall also be responsible for the provision of all food packaging (with the capability to provide customised packaging) for both meal solutions. We will require the supplier to provide sustainable catering consumables for both meal solutions e.g. sustainable cutlery, printed napkins, recyclable items. All food, food packaging (with all the mandatory food information) and food contact materials must comply with all relevant UK food laws. Throughout the lifecycle of the agreement there may be a requirement to review the product specifications to allow the opportunity to include emerging market trends and customer needs in an updated meal range offering. Specific meal solutions for seasonal menu changes will be required (Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter). The Customer will have delivery requirements to a minimum of 5 UK-based railway station locations, as follows: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Plymouth, Reading, Bristol. These locations will receive, store and handle food items.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Supply Agreement for goods and/or services

Options: Core term of 2 years from the contract commencement date with the option of an extension on a +1+1 basis (overall 2-year extension in increments).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053988-2026 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| 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 | 8 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 19 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 4 Jun 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £18,000,000 |
| Lots value | £18,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | XC TRAINS LIMITED |
| Locality | BUSINESS PARK |
| Post town | Sunderland |
| Postcode | SR3 3XP |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC44 Sunderland |
| Local authority | Sunderland |
| Electoral ward | Doxford |
| Westminster constituency | Houghton and Sunderland South |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

### Codes

- 15894200 - Prepared meals

## Release History

- 8 Jun 2026 at 16:13 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053988-2026
- 17 Feb 2025 at 15:38 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005437-2025
- 17 Feb 2025 at 14:58 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005415-2025

## Notice URLs

- https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk
- https://www.crosscountrytrains.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-04e2cf. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e2cf.json.