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Convenience Retail

The University Caterers Organisation Limited · Education

In brief

The University Caterers Organisation Limited has announced plans to buy food and drink work. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

It is a framework worth up to £40,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 2 years, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 1 July 2028.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Usually high: a median of 10 bids per contract for this buyer (from 29 awards in the last 12 months).

Framework

Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £40,000,000 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.

What the notice says

The purpose of this planned procurement is to establish a closed Framework for the supply and distribution of Convenience Retail products and associated services to members and clients of TUCO Ltd. This procurement will follow an Open Procedure under Procurement Act 2023 regulations. The scope of commodities to be covered in the framework include Confectionery, Snacks and Soft Drinks, Cakes (Ambient, Chilled, Fresh and Frozen), Convenience Retail Non-Food, Cigarettes, Tobacco, E-Cigarettes and associated products, One Stop Shop including all products covered within lots 1 to 4 with the addition of grocery frozen and chilled retail items and alcohol. We welcome suppliers that can deliver on…Read the full description
The purpose of this planned procurement is to establish a closed Framework for the supply and distribution of Convenience Retail products and associated services to members and clients of TUCO Ltd. This procurement will follow an Open Procedure under Procurement Act 2023 regulations. The scope of commodities to be covered in the framework include Confectionery, Snacks and Soft Drinks, Cakes (Ambient, Chilled, Fresh and Frozen), Convenience Retail Non-Food, Cigarettes, Tobacco, E-Cigarettes and associated products, One Stop Shop including all products covered within lots 1 to 4 with the addition of grocery frozen and chilled retail items and alcohol. We welcome suppliers that can deliver on either a local, regional or national basis. It is envisaged that suppliers will be able to cover much of the scope of this agreement on a lot by lot basis. The duration of this closed Framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years in the format of a 2 year with one plus one year extensions. We have an estimated start date of 1st July 2028 to 30th June 2030 with an optional 2 year extension in 1 plus 1 year extensions to 30th June 2032. The framework agreement which will cover supply to England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is likely to be split into 5 category specific lots. The annual spend through the closed framework is estimated to be £10m. The total spend through the open framework (over the maximum 4 years) is estimated at £40m

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 061411-2026

About the buyer

  1. PURCON 5035 Retail Supply Partnership

    University of East AngliaEast of EnglandFood and drink supplies, IT services and software

    Closing soon10 hours leftExpress interest

    £9mestimated
  2. Kirklees College - Vending Machines

    Kirklees CollegeUK-wideFood and drink supplies

    Closing soon6 days leftSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £10kestimated
  3. Convenience and impulse foods including confectionery

    Ipswich Borough CouncilEast of EnglandFood and drink supplies

    Open7 days left5 lotsSuitable for SMEs

    £415kestimated
  4. Provision and Distribution of Bread and Baked Goods

    Gateshead Borough CouncilNorth EastFood and drink supplies, Catering

    Open7 days leftSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £200kframework ceiling
  5. Museums Catering Food Supplies

    Norfolk County CouncilEast of EnglandFood and drink supplies

    Open8 days left

    Value not stated

From notice 061411-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 30 June 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.