--- title: "PR112026 Edwards Court Catering Outsourced Staffing" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-067e84" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067e84" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067e84.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067e84.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "EXETER CITY COUNCIL" published: "2026-04-09" --- # PR112026 Edwards Court Catering Outsourced Staffing Buyer: EXETER CITY COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-067e84 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067e84) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067e84.json) ## Summary Exeter City Council, the buying organisation, is currently in the planning stage of a public procurement process for "PR112026 Edwards Court Catering Outsourced Staffing". The focus is on providing a staffing-only catering solution at Edwards Court in Exeter, under the industry category of canteen and catering services. This preliminary market engagement exercise, scheduled to conclude by 17th April 2026, aims to refine service specifications and procurement approach. The opportunity is primarily located in the region UKK43, United Kingdom, with the process following guidelines set by the Procurement Act 2023. This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in catering and recruitment services, particularly those that can supply qualified staff with certifications in food safety and safeguarding training. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, given the project's procurement method and suitability criteria. The contract, valued at up to GBP 120,000, offers a multi-year term starting from 1st June 2026, with potential for renewal, thereby providing a stable platform for business growth in the catering industry. ## Notice Edwards Court requires a compliant and resilient staffing-only catering solution to ensure the continued provision of safe meals during weekends, bank holidays, and periods of staff absence. The contract will provide qualified catering staff, including chef, assistant chef, and kitchen assistant roles, with all personnel holding Level 2 Food Safety certification, enhanced DBS checks, and appropriate safeguarding training, while Exeter City Council (ECC) retains full control over food procurement, menu planning, and day-to-day kitchen operations. Chef-level staff must be competent in delivering meals in line with IDDSI standards for modified diets within a care environment. The procurement will be delivered in two stages, commencing with a UK2 Preliminary Market Engagement exercise to inform the final specification, followed by a Request for Quotation (RFQ) issued using objective and proportionate criteria. Participation in market engagement will not be a condition of participation in the RFQ. ### Planning Information Exeter City Council will undertake a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 to inform the development of the final service specification and procurement approach for a staffing‑only catering solution at Edwards Court. Engagement will be conducted through a written questionnaire and, where appropriate, follow‑up clarification discussions to understand market capability, capacity, compliance requirements, and delivery models. The engagement is non‑binding and will be undertaken in a manner that ensures equal treatment and transparency; participation in the market engagement will not be a condition of participation in the subsequent Request for Quotation. Information obtained will be used solely to refine the scope, performance requirements, and contractual arrangements. The questionnaire can be accessed via: www.advantageswtenders.co.uk Responses will also need to be submitted via the portal above. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032181-2026 | | Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 9 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 30 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 May 2026 - 31 May 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £100,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | EXETER CITY COUNCIL | | Locality | EXETER | | Post town | Exeter | | Postcode | EX1 1JN | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon | | ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC | | Local authority | Exeter | | Electoral ward | St David's | | Westminster constituency | Exeter | | Delivery location | TLK43 Devon CC | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 55500000 - Canteen and catering services - 79600000 - Recruitment services ## Release History - 9 Apr 2026 at 08:40 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032181-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032181-2026 9th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://exeter.gov.uk/ - 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-067e84. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067e84.json.