--- title: "GWR Catering Service - Service Centre Operations & Delivery, and Catering Products & Supply" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-054675" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054675" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054675.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054675.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED" published: "2026-03-23" --- # GWR Catering Service - Service Centre Operations & Delivery, and Catering Products & Supply Buyer: FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-054675 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-054675) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054675.json) ## Summary First Greater Western Limited is advancing its procurement process to provide comprehensive catering services across its railway network. The contract titled "GWR Catering Service - Service Centre Operations & Delivery, and Catering Products & Supply," involves logistical operations and catering product provisions for various routes serviced by Great Western Railway. The procurement, categorised under private utilities, notably revolves around regions such as Paddington, Cardiff, Penzance, and Truro, overseeing 254 catered trains from Monday to Friday, 280 on Saturdays, and 210 on Sundays. Currently in the award phase as of March 2026, with a standstill period ending on 1 April 2026, this tender utilises a competitive flexible procedure tailored for selective procurement methods. Potential vendors can anticipate a contract initiation on 1 October 2026, lasting until 30 September 2029, with renewal options extending to 2031. This tender opens numerous avenues for business growth, particularly appealing to large-scale enterprises with substantial logistical capabilities. Ideal contenders include companies proficient in managing extensive supply operations and delivering high-quality catering products. Suppliers capable of innovating within onboard services and enhancing first-class provisions will assimilate well into this collaborative venture. The strategic objective aims to elevate customer satisfaction, loyalty, and brand reputation, aligning with long-term growth incentives. Amid evolving operational requirements, scaling technological advancements, and meeting strategic priorities, firms with expertise in dynamic service delivery enhancements will find significant growth prospects throughout the contract lifecycle. This partnership, spearheaded by FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED, offers a substantial opportunity for vendors keen on contributing to the nationally recognised rail service's elevation. ## Notice GWR require Catering Services to be delivered across the network, which will be run under one contract. The catering service has two core functions the supplier is to deliver for this contract. 1. Service Centre Operations and Delivery: The supplier must be able to supply logistics operations and staff management to all GWR catered fleet. 2. Catering Products and Supply: The supplier must be able to supply all of GWR catering products, packaging and ancillary equipment. Route Details GWR manage many stations on the route with catered first-class lounges in Paddington, Cardiff, Penzance, and Truro as part of the logistics supply. Currently trains do not run on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, although some elements of the Service will be required on these days. GWR run: * 254 catered trains a day Monday - Friday, * 280 catered trains on Saturday and * 210 catered trains on a Sunday. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Options: Potential Future Enhancements and Contract Expansion. GWR is tendering for Great Western Railway Catering and Logistics with an estimated initial contract value of PS46 million over 5 years. In addition to the core service, GWR may seek to enhance or expand the service during the contract term. Notice Great Western Railway (GWR) reserves the right to introduce enhancements, modifications, or extensions to the scope of services or deliverables during the lifetime of the contract. These changes may arise due to evolving operational requirements, technological advancements, regulatory updates, or strategic priorities. Any such adjustments will be subject to mutual agreement between the parties and may be formalised through contract variation procedures, in accordance with the Procurement Act 23. The enhancements expected during the lifetime of this contract are detailed below. Future Enhancements The service enhancement GWR anticipates taking place during the lifetime of the contract is that of the enhanced First-Class offer which will aim to improve the First-Class offer on services to improve service delivery and set new benchmarks (through improved customer satisfaction). The enhanced offer aims to drive sustainable growth for GWR through revenue and loyalty. GWR want to improve the First-Class experience by enhancing both the quality and consistency of the catering services. This will include improving GWRs food offering and ensuring that a high standard of service is available throughout the day, every day, both on-board and within the station lounges, over the next five years (2025 - 2030). The First-Class Lounge proposition is a 'Premium' catering product offering, such as the introduction of enhanced choice meal options and will include a review of GWRs Pullman service, and the Standard Class catering proposition. GWR want to introduce an enhanced onboard catering experience on the High-Speed Services (HSS) routes in the form of a hot breakfast option. GWR also want to further enhance customer service provision with proactive promotion of the product, including menu cards for customers. The aims are to: * Enhanced Customer Satisfaction * Increased loyalty and reduced complaints: * Strengthened brand reputation: * Improved employee engagement: * Step change towards a national railway: Enhanced Proposition The proposition centres on the introduction of a reliable and consistent service offer, paired with improved quality catering, supported with better trolleys to see what's on offer and menu cards on train and online to improve awareness of the offer. This will increase First Class revenues, boost customer satisfaction and positively alter perceptions of performance. The result will be both growth and retention in First-Class customer base, further supported by tactical pricing adjustments that reflect the elevated value proposition. Estimated increased contract value: The estimated increase in contract value for the full enhancement offer could be PS3.2m Annually and PS16m over five years. These figures are estimates and will be based on customer uptake. Further details will be made available in Stage Two of this tender process. Renewal: The initial contract term will be 3 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years. ### Planning Information We want to hear from suppliers who feel they can realistically provide the services. The project team are happy to discuss over Teams, face to face or on site. The team will agree the next steps as interest is received. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026087-2026 | | Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 28 Jul 2025 | | Award date | 23 Mar 2026 | | Contract period | 30 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £54,000,000 | | Lots value | £54,000,000 | | Awards value | £48,500,000 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Complete | | Awards status | Pending | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | FIRST GREATER WESTERN LIMITED | | Locality | WILTSHIRE | | Post town | Swindon | | Postcode | SN1 1HL | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon | | Local authority | Swindon | | Electoral ward | Central | | Westminster constituency | Swindon South | | Delivery location | TLK South West (England), TLK1 Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | DHL SUPPLY CHAIN | ## 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 ## Release History - 23 Mar 2026 at 09:53 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026087-2026 - 19 Sep 2025 at 14:23 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058198-2025 - 28 Jul 2025 at 14:39 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043567-2025 - 28 Jul 2025 at 14:38 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043564-2025 - 2 Jul 2025 at 07:07 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036591-2025 - 2 Jul 2025 at 07:03 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036589-2025 - 11 Jun 2025 at 09:27 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031434-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/026087-2026 23rd March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058198-2025 19th September 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043567-2025 28th July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043564-2025 28th July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036591-2025 2nd July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036589-2025 2nd July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031434-2025 11th June 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - http://redirect.transaxions.com/events/lHmsf Registration of interest (access to documents) Please follow this link to register your interest and gain access to the tender documentation. Link: http://redirect.transaxions.com/events/lHmsf Once you have registered your interest, a link to the tender will be sent via email which will enable you to view the tender instructions & T&Cs and submit your tender response. E-Procurement Portal: The Client is using Wax Digital (current e-procurement portal). The detail within Wax Digital applicable to this tender describes how the Procurement will be conducted, including details of the associated Procurement timetable, participation and award criteria and how to respond to this opportunity. Tenderers are strongly encouraged to read through each tab/section before preparing their submission. Tenderers are also encouraged to review all attachments published with this tender. ## Notice URLs - https://procurement.gwr.com/tenders - 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-054675. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-054675.json.