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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

GFC27 Supply & Distribution of Grocery, Frozen, Chilled & Catering Supplies

THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 6 Oct 2026, 10:01.

Opportunity overview

The purpose of this planned procurement is to establish a (closed) framework for the supply and distribution of Grocery, Frozen, Chilled foods and Catering supplies to members and clients of TUCO (Universities, Colleges, Local Authorities and the wider Public Sector). The duration of this (closed) framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years. The annual spend through the (closed) Framework is estimated at £80m The total spend through the (closed) framework (over the maximum 4 years) is estimated at £320m The scope of products to be covered in the framework are as follows but not limited to: canned and dried fruit and vegetables, baking products, rice, pasta, sauces, beverages, cheese, milk, bacon, cured meats, sandwich fillings and all other grocery, ambient and chilled foods. meat, poultry, fish, chips, vegetables, bread, patisserie, vienoisserie, cheese, milk, bacon, cured meats, sandwich fillings and any other frozen and chilled foods. meat, poultry, fish, cheese, bacon, yoghurts, sandwich fillings and any other chilled foods. specialist vegan and vegetarian food products suitable for use in foodservice. Relevant catering supplies It is envisaged that suppliers will be able to cover the full scope of products for each lot. The framework is likely to include the option of a one-stop shop.

Classification

  • CPV15000000 — Food, beverages, tobacco and related products
  • CPV39222000 — Catering supplies

Lots

  • Lot LOT-0001Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
CAT11080-TU
Main Procurement Category
goods
Status
planned

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Techniques

Has Framework Agreement
Yes

Communication

Future Notice Date
26 Oct 2026, 23:59

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
LOT-0001
Has Renewal
Yes
Status
planned

Suitability

Sme
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 May 2027, 00:00
Ends
30 Apr 2029, 23:59
Max Extent Date
30 Apr 2031, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
LOT-0001
Related Lot
LOT-0001

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
15000000
Description
Food, beverages, tobacco and related products
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
39222000
Description
Catering supplies

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
The purpose of this notice is to provide interested parties with an overview of The University Caterer’s Organisation and insight into the forthcoming tender opportunity for Grocery, Frozen, Chilled & Catering Supplies This notice is not an invitation to tender, but an invitation to prospective suppliers to contact the authority should they wish to receive a copy presentation providing an overview of TUCO Ltd Grocery, Frozen, Chilled & Catering Supplies tender. In preparation for the tender process, we have carried out market research using a feedback questionnaire with our members (customers), the key findings of which are detailed within the presentation which we are happy to share. The presentation also gives guidance on the procurement process and details about our tendering portal and how to register. We wish to ensure that all parties wishing to tender have access to the same information enabling them to consider the opportunity. In fairness to all parties, we will ensure that each supplier request for information regarding this procurement will be subject to the same response, sharing our pre-prepared overview presentation. Please contact the authority by email to Hannah.myton@tuco.ac.uk and cc info@tuco.ac.uk to request an overview presentation regarding the opportunity.
Due
21 Oct 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
094041-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
6 Oct 2026, 08:30
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED
Id
GB-COH-06124779

Identifier

Scheme
GB-COH
Id
06124779

Address

Street Address
Mitchell Charlesworth
Locality
Manchester
Postal Code
M2 5GP
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKD33

Contact

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - sub-central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Manchester · UKD33 · M2 5GP · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

2 VERSIONS
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-051ffb-2025-05-23T09:17:23+01:00Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 094041-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·

PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS

ProcuraAxis Analysis

Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.

ANALYSIS PREVIEW

Opportunity intelligence at a glance

Early-stage planned procurement by TUCO for a closed framework supplying and distributing grocery, frozen, chilled and catering products to universities, colleges, local authorities and wider public-sector clients. The framework is planned for up to four years and may include a one-stop-shop option; bidding is not stated as open.

Who this may suit

Potential fit for foodservice wholesalers and distributors able to supply broad grocery, frozen, chilled and catering ranges. TUCO envisages suppliers covering the full product scope for each lot, but final lot structure and supplier selection requirements are unknown.

Key points identified

  • Product scopeGrocery, frozen, chilled foods and catering supplies, including specialist vegan and vegetarian food products.Evidence: The description lists ambient grocery, frozen and chilled foods, specialist vegan and vegetarian products, and relevant catering supplies.
  • Full-lot coverageSuppliers are envisaged to be able to cover the full scope of products for each lot.Evidence: “It is envisaged that suppliers will be able to cover the full scope of products for each lot.”
  • One-stop-shop capabilityMay be included as an option.Evidence: “The framework is likely to include the option of a one-stop shop.”
91% approved-analysis confidence6 supplier criteria identified3 risks or unknowns

SOURCE AND FRESHNESS

Traceable procurement data

Source
Find a Tender
Notice reference
094041-2026
OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-051ffb
First published
23 May 2025
Last checked
6 Oct 2026, 10:01
Notice versions reviewed
2

HOW THIS WAS PREPARED

Approved, evidence-bound analysis

ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.

Analysis status
Approved for publication
Analysed
6 Oct 2026
Read the analysis methodology →