Official UK procurement notice
Direct Meal Service · UK public procurement notice
Authority: NHS National Services Scotland (NHS & healthcare)
What is being bought13 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionRenewal of a national framework contract Under reference NP7042025 to cover a full range of Frozen prepared meals, to cover a full range of Chilled prepared Meals and to cover a full range of Ambient prepared meals
Product Range (Indicative Only and not limited to: 1) Meat (lamb Pork and Beef); 2) Fish; 3)Pasta; 4) Accompaniments; 5) Desserts; 6) Special Dietary Meals 7)Starters 8) Texture modified etc.
CPV: Prepared meals
How this framework works
From the published notice- Places
- up to 48 suppliers · 4 bids on the busiest of 13 lots (0.1 per place) · 3 appointed
- Electronic auction
- yes
Lots and requirements (13)Procurement structure
13 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1Breakfast ProductsAwarded UKPublished value£51,480
A range of frozen, chilled and ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #2Desserts & Puddings ProductsAwarded UKPublished value£986,050
A range of frozen, chilled and ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked.
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #3Fish ProductsAwarded ScotlandPublished value£492,522
A range of frozen, chilled and ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years
Lot #4Meat ProductsAwarded ScotlandPublished value£1,687,242
A range of frozen, chilled and ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years
Lot #5Poultry ProductsAwarded ScotlandPublished value£864,908
A range of frozen, chilled and ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #6Soup ProductsAwarded ScotlandPublished value£775,759
A range of frozen, chilled and ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #7Vegetables, Potato & Rice ProductsAwarded ScotlandPublished value£3,183,945
A range of frozen, chilled and ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #8Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 3)Awarded ScotlandPublished value£1,601,249
A range of frozen, chilled & ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. It is anticipated that the requirement on this range of meals will grow over the period of the framework The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #9Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 4)Awarded ScotlandPublished value£1,624,700
A range of frozen, chilled and ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. It is anticipated that the requirement on this range of meals will grow over the period of the framework. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #10Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 5)Awarded ScotlandPublished value£1,069,443
A range of frozen, chilled & ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. It is anticipated that the requirement on this range of meals will grow over the period of the framework. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #11Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 6)Awarded ScotlandPublished value£872,352
A range of frozen, chilled & ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. It is anticipated that the requirement on this range of meals will grow over the period of the framework. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #12Vegetarian & Vegan ProductsAwarded ScotlandPublished value£1,430,249
A range of frozen, chilled & ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years.
Lot #13Allergen AwareAwarded ScotlandPublished value£737,169
A range of frozen, chilled & ambient prepared meals to be used for Patients across NHS Scotland. Award is Multi Supplier per category lot Framework. Up to 3 suppliers per lot unranked
Lotting details will be confirmed in ITT.
The framework agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS
Scotland Health Boards, special health boards and the authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any integrated joint boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. Additional information: Total value shown is for duration of the framework and based on 12 months supplier spend data. The framework period shall be 4 years.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Service: 20%
- Price: 80%
Published award criteria (2)
- Service: 20
- Price: 80
- Economic & financial standing
See contract/tender documentation which incorporates requirements of the SPD
(Scotland) and the financial period for reporting is the previous 3 financial years
- Technical & professional ability
See contract/tender documentation which incorporates requirements of the SPD (Scotland)
Minimum: A copy of a valid certificate issued within the last 12 months, certified by a UKAS accredited Certification Body confirming that the economic operators holds a relevant certificate to one of the following standards as applicable: BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9); BR…
- Staff
- Names and qualifications of delivery staff must be submitted
- Price carries 80 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 8 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
- “Direct Meal Service” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 48 suppliers, not a single contract.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 23 Jun 2025, 15:50 BST
- Last source update
- 7 Oct 2025, 10:27 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 31 Jul 2025 – …
- Authority reference
NP7042025- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-062747- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0551f7Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
- Review procedure
The authority will notify economic operators who submitted a tender or (where no deselection notification has previously been made)applied to be selected to tender, of its decision to award the framework agreement which notification will contain among other information,
a summary of the reasons why the economic operator was unsuccessful. The notification will incorporate a ‘standstill period’ of a minimum of 10 clear calendar days (or a minimum of 15 if the communication method used is not electronic) between the date on which
the authority despatches the notice(s) and the date on which the authority proposes to conclude the relevant framework agreement.
The bringing of court proceedings against the authority during the standstill period will automatically continue the prohibition on entering into the framework agreement until the court proceedings are determined, discontinued or disposed of, or the court, by interim order, brings
to an end the prohibition. The remedies that may be awarded by the courts before the framework agreement has been entered into include the setting aside of the decision to award the framework agreement to the winning tenderer(s). The bringing of court proceedings against the
authority after the framework agreement has been entered into will not affect the framework agreement unless grounds for the imposition of special penalties under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 can be established. Otherwise the remedies that may be
awarded by the courts where the framework agreement has been entered into are limited to the award of damages. Economic operators are entitled to write to the authority after receipt of the notification should they require further clarification. The authority will respond within
15 days of such a written request, but it should be noted that receipt by the authority of such request during the standstill period may not prevent the authority from awarding the framework agreement following the expiry of the standstill period. Economic operators should
approach the contracting authority in the first instance. However, the only formal remedy is to apply to the courts:
An economic operator that suffers or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts(Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the
Court of Session
Publisher note: The Framework Agreement may be used by all mainland and island NHS Scotland Health Boards and Special Boards (including the Common Services Agency) and by all entities constituted pursuant to the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 (i.e. all NHS Scotland Health Boards, Special Health Boards and the Authority or other NHS organisations established pursuant to the NHS (Scotland) Act 1978) and any Integrated Joint Boards established pursuant to the new Public Bodies (Joint Working) Scotland Act 2014. All Scottish Hospices. The indicative total contract value shown is based on a circa 3 964 226 to 4 000 000 GBP per annum over a 4 year contract The Healthy Food Company will be added to this Framework under Innovation on Lot1C children and young people (SC Ref:808267)
How it was run
Official noticeTender documents are also served through a separate tool: http://www.publictenderscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk ↗
- Appointment period ends
- 31 Jul 2025, 10:30 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 31 Jul 2025, 10:30 BST
Timeline
31 Jul 2025 → 7 Oct 2025 · 4 dates- Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown31 Jul 2025, 10:30 BST
- Bids opened31 Jul 2025, 10:30 BST
- Bids must remain valid until31 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
- Notice published380 days ago7 Oct 2025, 10:27 BST
Notice history
1 event · 2 releases on Find a Tender- Status changed to complete7 Oct 2025, 10:27 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast13 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.
Contracts
Breakfast Products
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £80,824
- Status
- active
Poultry Products
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £925,593
- Status
- active
Soup Products
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £617,950
- Status
- active
Vegetables, Potato & Rice Products
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £3,210,030
- Status
- active
Fish Products
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £504,155
- Status
- active
Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 5)
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £1,126,746
- Status
- active
Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 4)
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £1,765,692
- Status
- active
Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 3)
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £1,658,705
- Status
- active
Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 6)
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £915,069
- Status
- active
Vegetarian & Vegan Products
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £1,260,632
- Status
- active
Allergen Aware
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £793,782
- Status
- active
Desserts & Puddings Products
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £1,033,643
- Status
- active
Meat Products
- Signed
- 16 Sept 2025
- Value
- £1,964,078
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Breakfast Products | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 2 · Desserts & Puddings Products | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 3 · Fish Products | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 4 · Meat Products | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 5 · Poultry Products | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 6 · Soup Products | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 7 · Vegetables, Potato & Rice Products | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 8 · Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 3) | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 9 · Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 4) | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 10 · Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 5) | 4bids · 4 electronic | 4 | — | — |
| 11 · Range of Therapeutic Products (IDDSI Level 6) | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 12 · Vegetarian & Vegan Products | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
| 13 · Allergen Aware | 4bids · 4 electronic | 1 | — | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Court of SessionReview contact point
- Edinburgh Sheriff CourtReview body
Framework contractors & participating bidders
3 commercial parties on the notice- BFS Group Ltd T/A BidfoodFramework contractor
- Dalehills LtdFramework contractor
- apetito LimitedFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.