Official UK procurement notice
Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) - District Leads
Authority: Gloucestershire County Council- (Local council)
What is being bought6 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionProcurement of 6 District Leads to manage the delivery periods of the HAF programme.
The Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) is funded by the Department for Education to deliver activities and food to children and young people eligible for benefits related Free School Meals (FSM) during the three main school holiday periods.
Total value (estimated)
£1,176,377 excluding VAT
£1,411,652 including VAT
CPV: Health and social work services · Other community, social and personal services
Lots and requirements (6)Procurement structure
6 lots · all with a published value (£1,176,378 together) · win at most 1 of them · same evaluation weights on every lotLot #1CheltenhamAwardedPublished value£204,151
The Cheltenham District Lead will be responsible for organising the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme in their respective district. This includes;
Organise and sub-contract an array of activity providers to form the holiday programme that adheres to the DfE's requirements and meets targets as set out by the Council
Creating and following a communications schedule throughout the year to engage families, children and young people, professionals, and schools about the HAF programme.
Working with the Council, other district leads and relevant stakeholders to stay up to date on information about the programme and any emerging local needs.
Form a focus group to feature the voice of the young person to inform plans for HAF in their respective district.
A full list of requirements can be found on the role specification.
Lot #2CotswoldsAwardedPublished value£124,432
The Cotswolds District Lead will be responsible for organising the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme in their respective district. This includes;
Organise and sub-contract an array of activity providers to form the holiday programme that adheres to the DfE's requirements and meets targets as set out by the Council
Creating and following a communications schedule throughout the year to engage families, children and young people, professionals, and schools about the HAF programme.
Working with the Council, other district leads and relevant stakeholders to stay up to date on information about the programme and any emerging local needs.
Form a focus group to feature the voice of the young person to inform plans for HAF in their respective district.
A full list of requirements can be found on the role specification.
Lot #3Forest of DeanAwardedPublished value£179,888
The Forest of Dean District Lead will be responsible for organising the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme in their respective district. This includes;
Organise and sub-contract an array of activity providers to form the holiday programme that adheres to the DfE's requirements and meets targets as set out by the Council
Creating and following a communications schedule throughout the year to engage families, children and young people, professionals, and schools about the HAF programme.
Working with the Council, other district leads and relevant stakeholders to stay up to date on information about the programme and any emerging local needs.
Form a focus group to feature the voice of the young person to inform plans for HAF in their respective district.
A full list of requirements can be found on the role specification.
Lot #4Gloucester CityAwardedPublished value£308,129
The Gloucester City District Lead will be responsible for organising the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme in their respective district. This includes;
Organise and sub-contract an array of activity providers to form the holiday programme that adheres to the DfE's requirements and meets targets as set out by the Council
Creating and following a communications schedule throughout the year to engage families, children and young people, professionals, and schools about the HAF programme.
Working with the Council, other district leads and relevant stakeholders to stay up to date on information about the programme and any emerging local needs.
Form a focus group to feature the voice of the young person to inform plans for HAF in their respective district.
A full list of requirements can be found on the role specification.
Lot #5StroudAwardedPublished value£186,821
The Stroud District Lead will be responsible for organising the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme in their respective district. This includes;
Organise and sub-contract an array of activity providers to form the holiday programme that adheres to the DfE's requirements and meets targets as set out by the Council
Creating and following a communications schedule throughout the year to engage families, children and young people, professionals, and schools about the HAF programme.
Working with the Council, other district leads and relevant stakeholders to stay up to date on information about the programme and any emerging local needs.
Form a focus group to feature the voice of the young person to inform plans for HAF in their respective district.
A full list of requirements can be found on the role specification.
Lot #6TewkesburyAwardedPublished value£172,957
The Tewkesbury District Lead will be responsible for organising the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme in their respective district. This includes;
Organise and sub-contract an array of activity providers to form the holiday programme that adheres to the DfE's requirements and meets targets as set out by the Council
Creating and following a communications schedule throughout the year to engage families, children and young people, professionals, and schools about the HAF programme.
Working with the Council, other district leads and relevant stakeholders to stay up to date on information about the programme and any emerging local needs.
Form a focus group to feature the voice of the young person to inform plans for HAF in their respective district.
A full list of requirements can be found on the role specification.
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 award criteria (2)
- Quality
- Price
- Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 7 Jan 2026, 09:32 GMT
- Last source update
- 11 Mar 2026, 15:38 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 2 Mar 2026
- Authority reference
DN801102- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-005498- Accelerated
- Light touch contract
- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-060096Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 6 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 28 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
7 Jan 2026 → 1 Apr 2026 · 9 dates- Planning notice published293 days ago7 Jan 2026, 09:32 GMT
- Market engagement286 days ago13 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
Gloucestershire County Council invites providers to participate in pre-market engagement for the District Leads for the Holidays, Activities and Food (HAF) Programme 2026-2027.
The HAF Programme is a national initiative funded by the Department for Education, designed to support children and young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals. It provides access to enriching activities and healthy meals during school holidays, helping to reduce holiday hunger and promote wellbeing.
We will be hosting two virtual information sessions to introduce the updated programme and outline opportunities for involvement:
- Monday, 12 January 2026 at 10:00-11:00 AM
- Tuesday, 13 January 2026 at 3:00-4:00 PM
During these sessions, the Gloucestershire HAF team will:
- Present the new 2026-2027 HAF Programme specification
- Explain the application process for key roles:
o District Lead
o Community Connector
o SEND Provider
Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for questions and discussion regarding the programme and application process.
Full details on how to dial in will be provided, any supplier wishing to attend should respond to this notice through ProContract or please contact:
- Tender notice published278 days ago21 Jan 2026, 16:52 GMT
- Clarification questions by271 days ago28 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Submission deadline263 days ago6 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by238 days ago2 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent230 days ago11 Mar 2026
- Latest notice published230 days ago11 Mar 2026, 15:38 GMT
- Contract starts209 days ago1 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
8 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 7 Jan 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published7 Jan 2026, 09:32 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published21 Jan 2026, 16:52 GMTUK4
- Status changed to active21 Jan 2026, 16:52 GMT
- Procurement method changed21 Jan 2026, 16:52 GMT
- Deadline published: 6 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT21 Jan 2026, 16:52 GMT
- Contract award notice published11 Mar 2026, 15:38 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete11 Mar 2026, 15:38 GMT
- Contract signature expected27 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Cheltenham1 award | |||
| Cheltenham Borough Council1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 | £204,151 inc. VAT | 11 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Cotswolds1 award | |||
| World JungleSMEVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 | £124,432 inc. VAT | 11 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Forest of Dean1 award | |||
| Forest Voluntary Action ForumSMEVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 | £179,888 inc. VAT | 11 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · Gloucester City1 award | |||
| The Venture Community HubSMEVCSE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 | £308,129 inc. VAT | 11 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 5 · Stroud1 award | |||
| Severn Wye Energy Agency LtdSME1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 | £186,821 inc. VAT | 11 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 6 · Tewkesbury1 award | |||
| Bloodhound EducationSME1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 | £172,957 inc. VAT | 11 Mar 2026 | Awarded |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Cheltenham | 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2 · Cotswolds | 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 1 | — |
| 3 · Forest of Dean | 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 1 | — |
| 4 · Gloucester City | 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 1 | — |
| 5 · Stroud | 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 1 | — |
| 6 · Tewkesbury | 4final-stage tenders | 4 | 4 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
6 commercial parties on the notice- BLOODHOUND EDUCATION LTD.Awarded supplier
- Cheltenham Borough CouncilAwarded supplier
- FOREST VOLUNTARY ACTION FORUMAwarded supplier
- Stroud District CouncilAwarded supplier
- THE VENTURE COMMUNITY HUB LTDAwarded supplier
- WORLD JUNGLE LTDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (8)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender