Pre Market Engagement for Catering Services

Procurement reference

PME Catering

Procurement description

The current catering contract expires on 31 July 2027. Rather than repeat what has gone before, Capital City College (CCC) wants to use the time available to design a contract that reflects how the market has moved, what students now expect, and what a London estate of this size and profile could realistically deliver. That includes the commercial side: CCC is actively interested in models that generate a financial return to the College alongside a high quality, affordable offer for students. This is a preliminary market engagement exercise conducted in accordance with sections 16 and 17 of the Procurement Act 2023 (“PA23”) to obtain honest, commercially informed feedback to support a future tender process. Please see the brief for further infirmation available for download from https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/educationportal/aspx/Home

Main category

Services

Contract dates (estimated)

01 August 2027, 00:00AM to 31 July 2030, 23:59PM

Extension end date (if all the extensions are used): 31 July 2032

Capital City College

Is this procurement under a special regime?

Light touch

CPV classifications

• 39222000 - Catering supplies
• 55500000 - Canteen and catering services
• 55520000 - Catering services
• 55523000 - Catering services for other enterprises or other institutions
• 55524000 - School catering services
• 42933000 - Vending machines
• 15894200 - Prepared meals
• 15894210 - School meals
• 55320000 - Meal-serving services
• 55321000 - Meal-preparation services
• 55523100 - School-meal services
• 55322000 - Meal-cooking services
• 55521200 - Meal delivery service

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 August 2027, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

31 July 2030, 23:59PM

Extension end date (estimated)

31 July 2032, 23:59PM

Can the contract be extended?

Yes

Engagement process description

This is not a competitive procurement. No selection criteria will be applied, no shortlist will be drawn from it, and participation is not a prerequisite for tendering. Equally, participating confers no advantage. CCC will take such steps as are necessary to ensure that no supplier is placed at an unfair advantage or disadvantage as a result of taking part, and that competition is not otherwise distorted, in accordance with the Act.

Full details are provided in the PME brief available for download from https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/educationportal/aspx/Home - registration to this site is free of charge.

All data provided is indicative and draft. Where an EOI response raises matters that merit further discussion, CCC will engage with that organisation individually in accordance with the brief. All expressions of interest (EOI's) should be returned by midday 02.10.26 for inclusion in the PME to enable review and further discussion where required.

Due date

02 October 2026, 23:59PM

Has the engagement period already ended?

No

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

09 November 2026