--- title: "Food & Drink Concepts" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-051d92" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051d92" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051d92.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051d92.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED" published: "2026-04-30" --- # Food & Drink Concepts Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-051d92 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051d92) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051d92.json) ## Summary The University Caterers Organisation Limited (TUCO) is inviting tenders for the supply and distribution of various Food & Drink concepts under a closed framework, part of an open procedure procurement method. This opportunity, titled "Food & Drink Concepts," falls under the goods industry category and is targeted at members and clients including universities, colleges, and the wider public sector in the UK. Located in Manchester, TUCO aims to finalise the procurement by 30th July 2026, with a deadline for tender submissions set for 5th June 2026. The procurement seeks to fulfil a framework agreement over a maximum of four years, potentially generating £40 million in total spend. The tender offers multiple avenues for business growth, particularly for suppliers dealing in diverse food concepts ranging from traditional offerings like pizzas and American classics to Asian cuisines and health-focused Coffee Shop solutions. It encompasses opportunities suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with specific encouragement for those interested in supplying special dietary options like vegan and gluten-free products. Businesses capable of delivering high-quality, varied food and drink products stand to benefit significantly from engaging with this broad public sector audience, enhancing their market presence and contributing to a sizeable contract potential over the framework's duration. ## Notice The purpose of this planned procurement is to establish a closed framework for the supply and distribution of a variety of Food & Drink concepts to members and clients of TUCO (Universities, Colleges and the wider Public Sector). The duration of this Closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years. The annual spend through the Closed Framework is estimated at PS3m The total spend through the open framework (over the maximum 4 years) is estimated at PS40m The scope of products to be covered in the framework are as follows but not limited to: Food Concepts (Lots 1-6): Chicken Concepts to include all chicken concepts such as fried chicken, gyros, kebabs, marinated options, Korean fried chicken etc. Pizza, Flatbreads & Pasta including school-compliant ranges of pizza, pasta and sauces. Asian & Global Cuisine including ready-to-eat meals, sushi, snacks, and grocery staples/ingredients for cookery / convenience stores. This lot also includes cuisines not covered by other lots. American Classics such as Hot dogs and burgers, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, Tex/Mex, loaded fries and South American favourites such as burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, mole, and pozole. Coffee Shop concepts and ingredients for sale in coffee shops include (but are not limited to) pasties, sandwiches/wraps, jacket potatoes, salad bowls, and cakes. Sweet Treats such as waffles, ice cream, and pancakes. Inclusion of vegan, vegetarian, gluten free options across all lots. Drinks Concepts (Lots 7 & 8): Drinks (Non-Alcoholic) Functional and low/no-alcohol options, including kombucha and adaptogen-infused drinks. Also includes teas (including iced teas), bubble tea, and cafe-style drink concepts. Drinks Premium (Non-Alcoholic) as above but where quality is already established--products are available in stores/shops and/or may be branded (no need to complete sampling). ### Lot Information Chicken Concepts This Lot covers the supply of popular high-street inspired chicken concepts that are currently dominated by specialised American-style fried chicken to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). This Lot will include all types of chicken concepts such as fried chicken, gyros, kebabs, marinated options, Korean fried chicken etc. Renewal: The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030 Pizza, Flatbreads & Pasta This Lot covers the supply of Pizza, Flatbreads & Pasta to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). Pizzas, flatbreads, and other solutions that can be customised and sold whole or by the slice. This lot also includes a requirement for ranges of pizza, pasta and sauces including those that are school-compliant. Renewal: The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030 Asian & Global Cuisine This Lot covers the supply of Asian & Global food concepts and options such as ramen, poke bowls, rice and noodle bowls, curries, and broths to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). East Asian concepts are especially popular with TUCO members. This Lot includes ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and grocery staples/ingredients for cookery / convenience stores and any other cuisines not covered by other lots. Renewal: The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030 American Classics This Lot covers the supply of popular American concepts to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). Hot dogs and burgers, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, Tex/Mex, and loaded fries. Hot dogs and burgers remain popular, affordable and options and can be customised (including "build your own" offers). This lot also includes South American favourites such as burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, mole, and pozole etc. Renewal: The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030 Coffee Shop This Lot covers the supply of (food) concepts and ingredients for sale in coffee shops to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). This Lot will include (but isn't limited to) pasties, sandwiches/wraps, jacket potatoes, salad bowls, and cakes. This lot also includes plant-based and health-forward ranges, reflecting Gen Z's interest in sustainability and wellness (e.g., whole-food proteins such as tofu, tempeh, and pulses; fibre; and probiotics for gut health). Vegan and vegetarian stations offering clean-eating concepts. Renewal: The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030 Sweet Treats This Lot covers the supply of all sweet concepts to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector) including waffles, ice cream, and pancakes etc, Renewal: The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030 Drinks (Non-Alcoholic) This Lot covers the supply of a variety of drinks concepts (non-alcoholic) to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). This Lot will include all non-Alcoholic drinks concepts such as functional and low/no-alcohol options, teas (including iced teas), bubble tea, and cafe-style drink concepts etc. Renewal: The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030 Drinks Premium (Non-Alcoholic) This Lot covers the supply of a variety of premium drinks concepts (non-alcoholic) to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). This Lot will include all non-Alcoholic drinks concepts such as functional and low/no-alcohol options, teas (including iced teas), bubble tea, and cafe-style drink concepts. There is already a perception of quality (products are available in stores/shops and/or may be branded) so no concept evaluation is required. Renewal: The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040220-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 30 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | 5 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | 2 Feb 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 9 Aug 2026 - 9 Aug 2028 | | Recurrence | 2030-04-30 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £40,000,000 | | Lots value | £40,000,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED | | Locality | MANCHESTER | | Post town | Manchester | | Postcode | M2 5GP | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester | | Local authority | Manchester | | Electoral ward | Deansgate | | Westminster constituency | Manchester Central | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products - 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products - 42 - Industrial machinery ### Codes - 03220000 - Vegetables, fruits and nuts - 03310000 - Fish, crustaceans and aquatic products - 03313300 - Seaweeds - 15100000 - Animal products, meat and meat products - 15131100 - Sausage-meat products - 15131610 - Beef meatballs - 15250000 - Seafood - 15310000 - Potatoes and potato products - 15311000 - Frozen potatoes - 15311200 - Diced, sliced and other frozen potatoes - 15312400 - Potato snacks - 15331100 - Fresh or frozen vegetables - 15331400 - Preserved and/or canned vegetables - 15331428 - Tomato sauce - 15500000 - Dairy products - 15540000 - Cheese products - 15550000 - Assorted dairy products - 15555000 - Ice cream and similar products - 15810000 - Bread products, fresh pastry goods and cakes - 15811000 - Bread products - 15811500 - Prepared bread products - 15811511 - Prepared sandwiches - 15812000 - Pastry goods and cakes - 15812200 - Cakes - 15821000 - Toasted bread products and pastry goods - 15840000 - Cocoa; chocolate and sugar confectionery - 15842210 - Drinking chocolate - 15850000 - Pasta products - 15851100 - Uncooked pasta - 15851210 - Prepared pasta - 15860000 - Coffee, tea and related products - 15870000 - Condiments and seasonings - 15871200 - Sauces, mixed condiments and mixed seasonings - 15871210 - Soya sauce - 15890000 - Miscellaneous food products and dried goods - 15891000 - Soups and broths - 15891600 - Stocks - 15895000 - Fast-food products - 15896000 - Deep-frozen products - 15950000 - Non-distilled fermented beverages - 15982000 - Soft drinks - 42968100 - Drinks dispensers ## Release History - 30 Apr 2026 at 20:31 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040220-2026 - 22 May 2025 at 12:11 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024781-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040220-2026 30th April 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024781-2025 22nd May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/tuco/aspx/Home Complete set of tender documents are available through the web address https://in-tendhost.co.uk/tuco/aspx/Home ## Notice URLs - http://www.tuco.ac.uk - https://account.tuco.ac.uk/delrvdkzgqmjfhudksgs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-051d92. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051d92.json.