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Open12 days left · closes midday, Wednesday 25 November 2026

Project to Improve School Food Procurement Practices

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Central government

In brief

Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is looking for suppliers for catering work (UK-wide).

The estimated value is £2,000,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 15 months, up to 27 months with extensions, starting 11 January 2027.

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

Bids close at midday, Wednesday 25 November 2026.

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

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by
midday, Monday 16 November 2026
Bids by
midday, Wednesday 25 November 2026

How bids are scored

Technical 60% · Sustainability and Social Value 10% · Commerical 30%

Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.

Competition

Typical: a median of 3 bids per contract for this buyer (from 37 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

The Government seeks to improve public sector food procurement (PSFP). Subject to legal constraints, it aims for half of all public sector food to be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards. The new National Procurement Policy Statement, published in February 2025, sets expectations for government contracts to favour products meeting higher environmental standards. This project supports these ambitions by improving school food procurement practices which will lead to enhanced food quality and sustainability, reduced food waste and primary and secondary pupils being better engaged with the food system. Schools account for approximately half of public sector food and catering expenditure and are therefore central to delivery of PSFP ambitions. This is particularly important given childhood obesity and persistent health inequalities. In England, about one in three children leave primary school overweight or obese;

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

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. Submit your bid through the buyer's e-tendering portal: atamis-9529.my.site.com.
  4. Send clarification questions before midday, Monday 16 November 2026.
  5. Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Wednesday 25 November 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Timeline

  1. Pipeline notice · UK1, notice 100509-2026
  2. Tender notice · UK4, notice 102127-2026

About the buyer

Department of Environment, Food and Rural AffairsLast 12 months

Procurements

177

Awards

143
All tenders and awards from Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

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From notice 100509-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 23 October 2026, last updated 28 October 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 October 2026.