Official UK procurement notice
Fun and Food Programme for Children in Receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals (Easter 2026)
Authority: Durham County Council (Local council)
Sectors: Education & Training (80)Recreational, cultural and sporting services (92)Community & Cultural Services (98) Delivery: North East (UKC14)
Published estimate£552,950£552,950 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 20 Feb 2026awarded 6 Apr 2026
Awarded to AJ Stage Schools +9 more10 awards
Contract term Ends 17 Apr 2026extension options published · starts 7 Apr 2026
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Council wishes to seek multiple Providers to deliver the Fun and Food programme to Children in Receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals within the boundaries of County Durham.
This project utilises Department for Education (DfE) funding which is for school aged children in receipt of benefits related free school meals.
All providers must meet DfE framework of standards as below:
- Food Provision
- Enrichment Activities
- Physical Activities
- Increasing Awareness of Healthy Eating, healthy lifestyles, and positive behaviours
- Signposting and referrals and supporting families
- Safeguarding
- Policies and Procedures
Please note - sessions do not need to be exclusively for children in receipt benefits related Free School Meals, alternative funding may be sourced by the organisation to fund children ineligible for DfE funding i.e parents/carers may be charged for sessions by the
activity organisation.
CPV: Education and training services · Other community, social and personal services · Recreational, cultural and sporting services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedWhat 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).
How bids were scored
Lot awarding rule: You are required to complete the 'Easter Proposal' excel form to present a holistic view of your offer so the Council can assess your proposal which should address how you will meet the national standards as set out below against the requirements of the contract, including the indicative participant numbers, variety of proposed activities and geographic factors - the bid will be assessed as either a Pass or a Fail. The Council reserves the right to undertake the following for DfE funded places: • Not award if Evaluators feel the proposal does not meet need; • Not award if Evaluators feel the proposal does not achieve value for money • Not award if Evaluators feel the demographic within the geographical area is not of deprivation i.e. the % of Children in Receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals is not sufficient to achieve proposed number of participants • Apply tiebreak should there be a duplication of the same/similar activities in a given geographical area; • Approach bidders to reduce/increase participant numbers based on Evaluators professional judgement and knowledge of delivery in the geographical area; • Approach bidders to reduce/increase hours of delivery based on Evaluators professional judgement; • Approach bidders to deliver in another geographical area, based on Evaluators professional judgement and knowledge of gaps in delivery for geographical areas; Evaluators will use their professional judgement using the stated scoring to assess your proposal and how this will meet the requirements of the contract (healthy meal, enriching activities, physical activity and nutritional education) and achieves value for money. The evaluation criteria will be applied to the proposal(s) received. The Council will consider in combination the following factors to determine the most appropriate provision (this is not an exhaustive list): o Service delivery location and/or o Value for money and/or o Enriching activities and/or o Healthy meal provision and/or o Number of places available and/or o Engaging with those who are in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals o Professional Judgement of the Evaluation Panel Bidders must price on the basis that that you are making an offer on the terms of the Contract (including the service requirements) as supplied in this ITB. All prices must be stated in pounds sterling and exclusive of VAT.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Below threshold - open competition
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Below threshold
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 22 Jan 2026, 10:22 GMT
- Last source update
- 13 Apr 2026, 13:38 BST
- Authority reference
003150- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-005630- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-060be3Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 20 Feb 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 13 Feb 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release
Tender documents can be accessed free of charge at www.open-uk.org ↗
Timeline
22 Jan 2026 → 13 Apr 2026 · 5 dates- Tender notice published273 days ago22 Jan 2026, 10:22 GMT
- Clarification questions by251 days ago13 Feb 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Submission deadline244 days ago20 Feb 2026, 10:00 GMT
- Contract starts198 days ago7 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published192 days ago13 Apr 2026, 13:38 BST
Notice history
3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 22 Jan 2026- Tender notice published22 Jan 2026, 10:22 GMTUK4
- Contract details notice published13 Apr 2026, 13:38 BSTUK7
- Status changed to complete13 Apr 2026, 13:38 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecastAwards 14
Awarded value Not summedeach provider’s award repeats the list or panel total
Contracts signed 14latest 6 Apr 2026
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AJ Stage Schools | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| NMC SPORTS LTD (trading as ) Active Future Durham | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| Shape Performance | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| SIMPLY SPORT LIMITED | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| SJ SSC LIMITED T/A SportsCool Durham | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| Steam Ahead CIC (trading as STEAM Ahead Education)SMEVCSE | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| BELLA MARIE TRAINING ACADEMY LTD | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| DURHAM CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS FOUNDATIONVCSE | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| FAST FEET FOOTBALL ACADEMY LTD | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
| Genius TuitionSME | £552,950 † | — | Awarded |
4 further award records carry no date or value.
Contracts
Contract 1 · AJ Stage Schools
- Signed
- 6 Apr 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 4 · FAST FEET FOOTBALL ACADEMY LTD
- Signed
- 6 Apr 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 13 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 5 · Genius TuitionSME
- Signed
- 2 Apr 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 11 · Shape Performance
- Signed
- 30 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 13 · SJ SSC LIMITED T/A SportsCool Durham
- Signed
- 30 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 14 · Steam Ahead CIC (trading as STEAM Ahead Education)SMEVCSE
- Signed
- 30 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 10 · NMC SPORTS LTD (trading as ) Active Future Durham
- Signed
- 25 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 2 · BELLA MARIE TRAINING ACADEMY LTD
- Signed
- 25 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 8
- Signed
- 25 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 9
- Signed
- 25 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 12 · SIMPLY SPORT LIMITED
- Signed
- 18 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 3 · DURHAM CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS FOUNDATIONVCSE
- Signed
- 17 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 6
- Signed
- 17 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contract 7
- Signed
- 17 Mar 2026
- Value
- £552,950
- Period
- 7 Apr 2026 – 17 Apr 2026
- Status
- active
- Options
- The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Successful Providers' contracts, as delivered under the Easter 2026 holiday provision, may be extended/varied to cover delivery in the Summer and or Christmas school holiday period. At the sole discretion of the Council, providers will be identified and approached for Summer and or Christmas delivery, this is likely to be dependent on successful achievement from Easter 2026 delivery under this contract and Commissioners professional judgement. If Successful Providers meet the threshold that the Commissioner deems as successful delivery, they will be emailed a proposal form for completion for the next school holiday period. The same evaluation criteria will be applied to the subsequent proposals. There is also a possibility that DCC may acquire funding from different sources that may be used for main school holidays, half term holidays or funding for participants to attend that are not in receipt of Benefits-related Free School Meals. Where this is the case successful providers will be updated regarding the scope of delivery.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
14 commercial parties on the notice- AJ Stage SchoolsAwarded supplier
- BELLA MARIE TRAINING ACADEMY LTDAwarded supplier
- DURHAM CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS FOUNDATIONAwarded supplier
- FAST FEET FOOTBALL ACADEMY LTDAwarded supplier
- GENIUS! TUITION LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- HOME ON THE RANGE LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- Kalma Life Gateshead & North DurhamAwarded supplier
- Karbon HomesAwarded supplier
- Michael Coghlan Football CoachingAwarded supplier
- NMC SPORTS LTD (trading as ) Active Future DurhamAwarded supplier
Show 4 more suppliers
- SHAPE PERFORMANCE LTDAwarded supplier
- SIMPLY SPORT LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- SJ SSC LIMITED T/A SportsCool DurhamAwarded supplier
- STEAM AHEAD CICAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (16)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsTender documents can be accessed free of charge at www.open-uk.org
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
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