Food & Drink Concepts
A Tender Notice
by THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED
- Source
- Find a Tender
- Type
- Framework (Goods)
- Duration
- 2 year
- Value
- £280M-£40M
- Sector
- MISCELLANEOUS
- Published
- 30 Apr 2026
- Delivery
- 10 Aug 2026 to 09 Aug 2028
- Deadline
- 05 Jun 2026 11:00
Related Terms
Location
United Kingdom:
1 buyer
- University Caterers Organisation Manchester
Description
The purpose of this planned procurement is to establish a closed framework for the supply and distribution of a variety of Food & Drink concepts to members and clients of TUCO (Universities, Colleges 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 £3m The total spend through the open framework (over the maximum 4 years) is estimated at £40m The scope of products to be covered in the framework are as follows but not limited to: Food Concepts (Lots 1-6): Chicken Concepts to include all chicken concepts such as fried chicken, gyros, kebabs, marinated options, Korean fried chicken etc. Pizza, Flatbreads & Pasta including school-compliant ranges of pizza, pasta and sauces. Asian & Global Cuisine including ready-to-eat meals, sushi, snacks, and grocery staples/ingredients for cookery / convenience stores. This lot also includes cuisines not covered by other lots. American Classics such as Hot dogs and burgers, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, Tex/Mex, loaded fries and South American favourites such as burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, mole, and pozole. Coffee Shop concepts and ingredients for sale in coffee shops include (but are not limited to) pasties, sandwiches/wraps, jacket potatoes, salad bowls, and cakes. Sweet Treats such as waffles, ice cream, and pancakes. Inclusion of vegan, vegetarian, gluten free options across all lots. Drinks Concepts (Lots 7 & 8): Drinks (Non-Alcoholic) Functional and low/no-alcohol options, including kombucha and adaptogen-infused drinks. Also includes teas (including iced teas), bubble tea, and café-style drink concepts. Drinks Premium (Non-Alcoholic) as above but where quality is already established—products are available in stores/shops and/or may be branded (no need to complete sampling).
Lot Division
| 1 | Chicken Concepts
This Lot covers the supply of popular high-street inspired chicken concepts that are currently dominated by specialised American-style fried chicken to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). This Lot will include all types of chicken concepts such as fried chicken, gyros, kebabs, marinated options, Korean fried chicken etc. Award Criteria
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| 2 | Pizza, Flatbreads & Pasta
This Lot covers the supply of Pizza, Flatbreads & Pasta to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). Pizzas, flatbreads, and other solutions that can be customised and sold whole or by the slice. This lot also includes a requirement for ranges of pizza, pasta and sauces including those that are school-compliant. Award Criteria
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| 3 | Asian & Global Cuisine
This Lot covers the supply of Asian & Global food concepts and options such as ramen, poke bowls, rice and noodle bowls, curries, and broths to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). East Asian concepts are especially popular with TUCO members. This Lot includes ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and grocery staples/ingredients for cookery / convenience stores and any other cuisines not covered by other lots. Award Criteria
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| 4 | American Classics
This Lot covers the supply of popular American concepts to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). Hot dogs and burgers, mac & cheese, grilled cheese, Tex/Mex, and loaded fries. Hot dogs and burgers remain popular, affordable and options and can be customised (including “build your own” offers). This lot also includes South American favourites such as burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tamales, mole, and pozole etc. Award Criteria
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| 5 | Coffee Shop This Lot covers the supply of (food) concepts and ingredients for sale in coffee shops to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). This Lot will include (but isn't limited to) pasties, sandwiches/wraps, jacket potatoes, salad bowls, and cakes. This lot also includes plant-based and health-forward ranges, reflecting Gen Z’s interest in sustainability and wellness (e.g., whole-food proteins such as tofu, tempeh, and pulses; fibre; and probiotics for gut health). Vegan and vegetarian stations offering clean-eating concepts. Award Criteria
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| 6 | Sweet Treats
This Lot covers the supply of all sweet concepts to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector) including waffles, ice cream, and pancakes etc, Award Criteria
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| 7 | Drinks (Non-Alcoholic)
This Lot covers the supply of a variety of drinks concepts (non-alcoholic) to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). This Lot will include all non-Alcoholic drinks concepts such as functional and low/no-alcohol options, teas (including iced teas), bubble tea, and café-style drink concepts etc. Award Criteria
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| 8 | Drinks Premium (Non-Alcoholic)
This Lot covers the supply of a variety of premium drinks concepts (non-alcoholic) to Members of TUCO (i.e. HE/FE, local authorities and the wider public sector). This Lot will include all non-Alcoholic drinks concepts such as functional and low/no-alcohol options, teas (including iced teas), bubble tea, and café-style drink concepts. There is already a perception of quality (products are available in stores/shops and/or may be branded) so no concept evaluation is required. Award Criteria
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Renewal Options
The initial duration of the framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 09 August 2030
CPV Codes
- 15100000 - Animal products, meat and meat products
- 15895000 - Fast-food products
- 15811500 - Prepared bread products
- 15890000 - Miscellaneous food products and dried goods
- 15331100 - Fresh or frozen vegetables
- 15500000 - Dairy products
- 15871200 - Sauces, mixed condiments and mixed seasonings
- 15851210 - Prepared pasta
- 15851100 - Uncooked pasta
- 15811000 - Bread products
- 15850000 - Pasta products
- 15131610 - Beef meatballs
- 15331400 - Preserved and/or canned vegetables
- 15331428 - Tomato sauce
- 03310000 - Fish, crustaceans and aquatic products
- 15891600 - Stocks
- 15871210 - Soya sauce
- 15896000 - Deep-frozen products
- 03313300 - Seaweeds
- 15870000 - Condiments and seasonings
- 15250000 - Seafood
- 15891000 - Soups and broths
- 15131100 - Sausage-meat products
- 15540000 - Cheese products
- 15310000 - Potatoes and potato products
- 15311000 - Frozen potatoes
- 15311200 - Diced, sliced and other frozen potatoes
- 15312400 - Potato snacks
- 15810000 - Bread products, fresh pastry goods and cakes
- 15821000 - Toasted bread products and pastry goods
- 15840000 - Cocoa; chocolate and sugar confectionery
- 15811511 - Prepared sandwiches
- 03220000 - Vegetables, fruits and nuts
- 15555000 - Ice cream and similar products
- 15550000 - Assorted dairy products
- 15812000 - Pastry goods and cakes
- 15812200 - Cakes
- 15860000 - Coffee, tea and related products
- 15982000 - Soft drinks
- 15842210 - Drinking chocolate
- 42968100 - Drinks dispensers
- 15950000 - Non-distilled fermented beverages
Indicators
- This is a recurring contract.
- Renewals are available.
Other Information
** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **
Reference
- ocds-h6vhtk-051d92
- FTS 040220-2026