CA17978 - Outsourced Catering Services 5
Crescent Purchasing Consortium LimitedEstimated Value
Up to £1,499,999,982
Deadline
11 August 2026
Published
11 June 2026
Type
services
Overview
This process is a re-tender of the current Outsourced Catering Services Framework let by CPC and expiring in September 2026. CPC intends to put in place an Open Framework for the appointment of outsourced facilities suppliers who specialise in catering services, across education and also the wider public sector.
The purpose of this Framework is to give CPC members a compliant route to market. The collective spending power of Members utilising CPC frameworks is harnessed to drive down costs, which often allows for savings delivery which our membership otherwise would be unable to achieve individually.
The Open framework will consist of 3 or 4 frameworks within the series, dependant on extensions. It is intended for the series to conclude on 04/10/2034.
Lots (1)
- Lot 1Lot 1A: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - East Anglia Lot 2: Lot 1B: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - East Midlands Lot 3: Lot 1C: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - London Lot 4: Lot 1D: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - North East Lot 5: Lot 1E: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - North West Lot 6: Lot 1F: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - South East Lot 7: Lot 1G: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - South West Lot 8: Lot 1H: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - West Midlands Lot 9: Lot 1I: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - Yorkshire Lot 10: Lot 1J: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - England Lot 11: Lot 1K: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - Northern Ireland Lot 12: Lot 1L: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - Scotland Lot 13: Lot 1M: Universities, Colleges, Large MAT's, WPS - Wales Lot 14: Lot 2A: Academies, Schools, Small MAT's - East Anglia Lot 15: Lot 2B: Academies, Schools, Small MAT's - East Midlands To access this competition: Registered: Login to https://suppliers
Additional details
CPC will be using the MultiQuote e-Tendering platform to carry out this tender. Not registered: Visit https://suppliers.multiquote.com then register and quote CA17978 as the reason for registration.
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
CPC (a public sector buying consortium) is setting up a new catering services framework to help schools, colleges, universities and public sector bodies across the UK buy outsourced catering. This is a re-tender of their current framework expiring in September 2026, and successful suppliers will be able to bid for work from multiple public sector organisations until October 2034.
Requirements
- Must be able to provide outsourced catering services to education and wider public sector organisations
- Must be able to operate across assigned geographic regions (or England/UK-wide depending on lot selected)
- Must register on the MultiQuote e-Tendering platform to access tender documents
- No specific certifications, turnover, or staffing requirements listed in this notice — check full tender documents for detailed qualification criteria
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Provide catering services (menu planning, food preparation, staffing, service) to universities, colleges, large and small MATs, academies, schools, and workplace catering locations
- Service multiple geographically-defined lots across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
- Comply with CPC framework terms and collective buying arrangements
How to Read This Tender
- 1This is a 'framework' tender, not a single contract — you're not bidding for one job, but registering as an approved supplier. Member organisations can then call-off your services, so winning could bring multiple future opportunities.
- 2The notice lists 15+ geographic 'lots' — each is a separate service area. You can bid for one lot, several, or all. Pick based on where you operate or want to grow. Lot 1J (England) and Lot 1K-M (Scotland, Wales, NI) are the broadest.
- 3The framework runs 8 years (to October 2034), so this is a long-term commitment. CPC uses this to leverage collective buying power to reduce costs for members — expect competitive pricing pressure.
- 4You must register on MultiQuote (an online tendering portal) to even see the full documents. Do this early — the platform link and support contact (Elcom Ltd, 020 3920 8054) are your first steps.
- 5Watch for hidden detail: The notice says '3 or 4 frameworks within the series, dependant on extensions' — the full documents will clarify the structure, pricing model, contract terms, and minimum/maximum volumes expected.
Tips for Small Businesses
- Consider bidding for a single geographic lot first (e.g. your home region) rather than trying to cover the whole country — this reduces risk and is more credible to evaluators. You can always expand or subcontract to partners in other areas.
- Framework tenders often score heavily on price, social value (e.g. local jobs, training, sustainability), and operational capability. Small businesses can win by focusing on quality, reliability, and community benefit in your specific region rather than trying to compete on scale.
- Check whether you can subcontract or form a consortium with larger catering operators. Many public sector bodies want local accountability, so being the lead supplier for a region while subcontracting delivery to established operators in other lots can strengthen a bid.
Before you bid, buyers check
two years of filed accountsyour financial standingturnover vs contract valueyour Companies House recordcash flow for 30-day termscredit scores and ratios
Actions
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How to Apply
Step-by-step submission guide
Submission Portal
Contracts Finder
Open the original notice
Click the button below to view this tender on Contracts Finder
Find the submission method
Look for "How to apply" section — most tenders link to an eSourcing platform (e.g. In-Tend, ProContract, Jaggaer)
Create an account
Register on the eSourcing platform for free — you'll need a company email and DUNS number
Download tender documents
Download the ITT (Invitation to Tender), specification, pricing schedule, and any templates
Submit your response
Upload completed documents through the portal before the deadline — late bids are automatically rejected
Most buyers do NOT accept email submissions. You must submit through their eSourcing platform. Check the notice for the exact link.
Buyer Profile
Crescent Purchasing Consortium LimitedKey Dates
Published
11 June 2026
Submission deadline
11 August 2026
Notice type
Contract
Source
contracts finder
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