Catering tenders and contracts in the South West
There are 4 live catering tenders in the South West right now, from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder. This page covers school meals, food supply and vending contracts from councils, the NHS and other public buyers. Below is what buyers are asking for, so you can see whether you qualify before you spend hours bidding.
01What buyers ask for
From the 4 live catering tenders in the South West we have read so far.
- Minimum turnover
- Rarely stated in the notice
- Contract length
- Varies
- Suitable for SMEs
- 3 of 4 flagged by the buyer
- Frameworks & DPS
- 1 of 4
02Live catering tenders in the South West
- Provision of Foods and Beverages: Ambient, Chilled, and FrozenNorse Commercial Services LimitedEast of England +2Not statedCloses 17 daysSME
- Catering ServicesCONNECT ACADEMY TRUSTSouth West£850kCloses 21 daysSME
- Ice Cream Products and EquipmentBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole CouncilSouth West£1.5m–3.7mCloses 30 days
- Invitation to Tender for the Management of the Catering Services (Framework Agreement) at Blackdown Education PartnershipBLACKDOWN EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPSouth WestNot statedCloses 71 daysFrameworkSME
03Who is buying
- Norse Commercial Services Limited 1 live tender
- CONNECT ACADEMY TRUST 1 live tender
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council 1 live tender
- BLACKDOWN EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP 1 live tender
04Catering contracts: common questions
How many catering tenders are live in the South West?
4 right now, from 4 public buyers, with 0 closing in the next 14 days. We bring together notices from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder and refresh this page every hour.
What do buyers ask for in catering contracts?
Few notices state a minimum turnover; it is usually set out in the tender documents. Most requirements sit in the tender documents rather than the notice, so check the pack before you bid.
Can a small business win catering contracts?
Often, yes. 3 of the 4 live tenders in the South West are marked by the buyer as suitable for small businesses, and 1 is a framework or dynamic purchasing system (approved supplier lists that buyers then order from). Smaller lots and lower-value contracts are usually the best place to start. Check the minimum turnover and insurance first, as those are the checks that rule most bids out.
05Expert notes: Cleaning & facilities
Cleaning and facilities contracts are often won on price per square metre and quality checks. Buyers commonly ask for public liability insurance of £5m or more, COSHH procedures and, increasingly, social value commitments such as paying the Real Living Wage.
From the tenderITT tender experts. New to tendering? Read how to search Find a Tender, how to register on the Central Digital Platform and our Invitation to Tender guide.