Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
City of Glasgow College
190 Cathedral Street, Glasgow
Glasgow
G4 0RF
UK
Contact person: Danielle Gough
Telephone: +44 1413755617
E-mail: danielle.gough@cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk
NUTS: UKM82
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00453
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
The Provision of a Diverse and Sustainable Catering Service
Reference number: CS/CoGC/25/29
II.1.2) Main CPV code
55520000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
City of Glasgow College is seeking an experienced and sustainability-focused catering provider to operate and develop food and beverage services for students, staff and visitors across its two campuses:
City Campus, 190 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RF
Riverside Campus, 21 Thistle Street, Glasgow, G5 9XB
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
9 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
55520000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM82
Main site or place of performance:
City of Glasgow College
City Campus - 190 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RF
Riverside Campus - 21 Thistle Street, Glasgow, G5 9XB
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
City of Glasgow College seeks to appoint a forward-thinking, innovative and sector-leading Catering Provider to deliver a diverse, sustainable and inclusive catering service across both Campuses. The successful Contractor will provide catering for students, staff and visitors throughout the academic year, operating a multi-outlet service that is responsive to varying demand across campuses.
The Catering Service must be affordable, high quality and customer-focused, with standards that reflect best practice in ingredient quality, food safety, presentation, nutrition and customer service. The service is expected to deliver an attractive and modern catering offer aligned to student expectations and contemporary market trends.
Sustainability is a core theme of the contract. The Provider must embed sustainability throughout all aspects of service delivery, including food provenance, ethical and fair trade sourcing, animal welfare, sustainable fisheries, plant-forward menu development, biodiversity, energy usage, carbon management, reduction of single use plastics, and minimisation of food waste. The Provider will be expected to support the College’s wider sustainability and climate objectives and demonstrate continuous improvement over the life of the contract.
The contract places strong emphasis on generating meaningful social value and supporting the student experience. The Provider will be required to deliver added-value initiatives including modern apprenticeships, work placements, volunteering, employability activity, and collaboration with the Hospitality and Culinary Arts curriculum. Engagement with learners, including student led initiatives and menu development, will form a key element of contract performance.
The College intends to establish a collaborative partnership approach with the successful Provider, based on shared objectives, transparency and joint responsibility for improvement. The Provider will be responsible for the safe collection of waste oil, and will be required to adopt innovative waste and recycling practices to support carbon reduction objectives. General waste and mixed recycling services will be provided by the College.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Implementation & Mobilisation
/ Weighting: 3%
Quality criterion: Workforce Management (TUPE, Recruitment, Fair Work, EDI, Modern Slavery)
/ Weighting: 3%
Quality criterion: Training, Competence & Development
/ Weighting: 3%
Quality criterion: Contract Management & Governance
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: KPI Management & Performance Monitoring
/ Weighting: 2.5%
Quality criterion: Quality Assurance & Audit
/ Weighting: 2%
Quality criterion: Operational Delivery - Vision & Approach
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: Food Concepts & Menus
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: Hospitality & Events (incl. Summer Schools)
/ Weighting: 2%
Quality criterion: Marketing & Promotion
/ Weighting: 2.5%
Quality criterion: Technology & Innovation
/ Weighting: 2%
Quality criterion: Continuous Improvement & Service Excellence
/ Weighting: 3%
Quality criterion: Business Continuity & Contingency Planning
/ Weighting: 2.5%
Quality criterion: Customer Experience & Engagement
/ Weighting: 2%
Quality criterion: Health, Nutrition & Wellbeing
/ Weighting: 2%
Quality criterion: Sustainability & Net Zero Delivery
/ Weighting: 5%
Quality criterion: Carbon Reduction & Reporting
/ Weighting: 3%
Quality criterion: Community Benefits & Added Value
/ Weighting: 3%
Quality criterion: Presentation
/ Weighting: 4.5%
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
9 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start:
01/08/2026
End:
31/07/2032
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
After the initial period of four years (with the option to extend by 2 years) the College will re tender by going back out to the open market.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Please refer to Part 4 B Economic and Financial Standing of the ESPD
The College will use the following ratios to evaluate a bidders financial status.
Bidders must confirm within their response to the relevant question within the 'Qualification Envelope' that as a minimum, 2 out of the 3 ratios can be met and what the value of each ratio is.
The three ratios to be evaluated are:
Profitability - this is taken as profit after tax but before dividends and minority interests. If a company makes a profit then it is a pass for this ratio.
Liquidity - this is calculated as current assets less stock and work in progress, divided by current liabilities. If the answer is greater than or equal to 'one' then it is a pass for this ratio.
Gearing - this is calculated as the total external secured borrowing (short term and long term) divided by shareholder funds expressed as a percentage. If the answer is less than or equal to 100% it is considered a pass for this ratio.
Where 2 out of 3 ratios cannot be met, the College may take the undernoted into consideration when assessing financial viability and the risk to the College, providing the bidder can supply evidence to substantiate any of the mitigating criteria. This list is not exhaustive and other criteria may be considered where proposed by a bidder as mitigating factors.
Would the bidder have passed the checks if prior year accounts had been used?
Were any of the poor appraisal outcomes 'marginal'?
Does the bidder operate in a market which, traditionally, requires lower liquidity or higher debt finance?
Does the bidder have sufficient reserves to sustain losses for a number of years?
Does the bidder have a healthy cash flow?
Is the bidder profitable enough to finance the interest on it's debt?
Is most of the bidders debt due to be repaid over a number of years and affordable?
Have the bidders results been adversely affected by 'one-off costs' and/or 'one-off' accounting treatments?
Do the bidders auditors (where applicable) consider it to be a 'going concern'?
Do keynote (where applicable) consider the bidder to be a 'going concern'?
Will the bidder provide a Parent Company Gurantee?
Is the bidder the single supplier/source of the Goods/Works/Services in the marketplace?
The College will obtain an Equifax Report or similar financial verification system to validate the information provided.
Bidders must confirm they can provide the following supporting evidence prior to award:
Employers (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = 10,000,000 GBP
Product and Public Liability Insurance = 10,000,000 GBP
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Bidders will be required to confirm that they and/or the service provider have the following relevant educational and professional qualifications:
PVG Membership
Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to subcontract and if so, for what proportion of the contract.
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Please refer to Schedule D - Contract Management and Administration of the Tender Document for Information on Contract Performance Conditions
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
11/02/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
11/02/2026
Local time: 12:00
Place:
City of Glasgow College
190 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RF
Information about authorised persons and opening procedure:
Danielle Gough, Procurement Coordinator - Estates and Facilities
Tenders opened using the Public Contracts Scotland - Tender Platform
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
6 Years
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
Bidders may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
Declarations and Certificates:
In an open tendering procedure prior to any award being made the successful bidder must provide the undernoted certificates, declarations and/or completed questionnaire to evidence their compliance with the relevant questions within the Qualification Questionnaire.
All certificates, declarations and questionnaires can be found with the Attachment area of PCS-T.
Appendix A - Form of Tender
Appendix B - Freedom of Information
Appendix C - Supply Chain Code of Conduct
Appendix E - PECOS Supplier Adoption Form
Appendix J - PVG Act Declaration
In the case of an open tender this information will not be required to be uploaded and submitted with the bid, but will instead be requested by the College following the conclusion of the evaluation of the Qualification, Technical and Commercial Questionnaires and prior to the award of the tender.
Failure to provide this information or in the event that the information provided does not support or evidence the statements made within the Qualification Questionnaire, will invalidate any bid. In this scenario the College will seek to obtain the relevant information and evidence from the second highest scoring bidder and so on, and upon verification will award the contract to this bidder instead.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30797
The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason:
Community Benefits will be fulfilled and managed at Contractor level
Community benefits are included in this requirement.
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
The College is very keen to develop a true partnership with the Service Provider and as a minimum requires the Service Provide to delivery 8 Modern Apprenticeships and 50 Work Experience Placements for their students and/or members of the local community, particularly those studying a hospitality course, during the course of the contract.
The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 30797. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343
A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Provide a minimum of 8 Modern Apprenticeships and 50 work experience placements for College students or local residents.
Partner with curriculum teams to deliver guest lectures, mentoring, and live learning projects.
Collaborate with at least three local social enterprises or charities annually.
(SC Ref:817987)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Glasgow Sherriff and Justice of the Peace Court
1 Carlton Place
Glasgow
G5 9DA
UK
E-mail: glasgow@scotcourts.gov.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
16/12/2025