Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 22 May 2025, 11:21 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Milk, Dairy, Bread & Baked Goods

Official notice

Authority: THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED (Education)

Open framework scheme7 lotsGoodsOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£20,000,000total for 7 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 6 Mar 2026awarded 8 Jun 2026
Awarded to ARTHUR DAVID (FOOD WITH SERVICE) LIMITED +17 more7 awards
Framework period 2 yrsends 30 Apr 2028 · up to 1 May 2030 with extensions · starts 1 May 2026

What is being bought7 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The purpose of this planned procurement is to establish a (closed) framework for the supply and distribution of Milk, Dairy, Bread (fresh and frozen) and a selection of baked goods to members and clients of TUCO (Universities, Colleges and the wider Public Sector).

The duration of this (closed) framework is planned to be a maximum of 4 years.

The annual spend through the (closed) Framework is estimated at £3.5m

The total spend through the (closed) framework (over the maximum 4 years) is estimated at £20m

The scope of products to be covered in the framework are as follows but not limited to:

Milk - all variants including dairy alternatives.

Dairy - including creams, butter and spreads. Cheese, yoghurts and eggs. Dairy alternatives where available.

Bread (fresh & frozen) - all variants of loaves and rolls including gluten free and free from.

Baked goods (fresh & frozen) - cakes, pastries, confectionery and traybakes. Low sugar/free from alternatives where available.

It is envisaged that suppliers will be able to cover the full scope of products for each lot. The framework includes the option of a one-stop shop for the supply of fresh milk & bread to Local Authorities.

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 4 Feb 2030, 23:59 GMT.

CPV: Bread · Bread products · Bread products, fresh pastry goods and cakes · Full-cream milk · Milk · Milk and cream · Pasteurised milk · Pastry goods · Pastry goods and cakes · Prepared bread products · Semi-skimmed milk · Skimmed milk · +2 more

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Open framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Bids received
17 bids on the busiest of 7 lots · 22 suppliers appointed
Framework period
2 yrs · up to 4 yrs from 1 May 2026
Scheme runs until
30 Jun 2030
Buyer regions
UK
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
1.35% of call-off value
Who may buy through it
  1. The University Caterers Organisation Limited (TUCO):

account.tuco.ac.uk/delrvdkzgqmjfhudksgs ↗

  1. North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC)
  2. Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC)
  3. Higher Education Purchasing Consortium Wales (HEPCW)
  4. London Universities Purchasing Consortium (LUPC)
  5. North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC)
  6. Southern Universities Procurement Consortium (SUPC)
  7. Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC)
  8. Local authorities

10.Central Government departments and their agencies

  1. Police, fire and rescue, maritime and coastguard agency emergency services

12.NHS bodies, the HSC (Northern Ireland) and ambulance services

  1. Schools, Educational establishments and Higher Education in England, Wales,

Scotland and Northern Ireland

For full details refer to Framework Permissible Users for details of contracting authorities

that may use the Framework

Published description of the framework

To be completed

Lots and requirements (7)Procurement structure

7 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · evaluation weights differ by lot

Every one of these 7 lots carries the same published figure, £20,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.

Lot #1Milk & Dairy products for HE/FE membersAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 1 May 2030 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 30/04/2030
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
Lot #2Milk & Dairy products for LA’s/wider public sectorAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 1 May 2030 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 30/04/2030
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
Lot #3Fresh Bread & Baked Goods for HE/FE membersAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 1 May 2030 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 30/04/2030
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
Lot #4Fresh Bread & Baked Goods for LA’s/wider public sectorAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 1 May 2030 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 30/04/2030
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
Lot #5Frozen Bread & Baked Goods for HE/FE membersAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 1 May 2030 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 30/04/2030
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
Lot #6Frozen Bread & Baked Goods for LA’s/wider public sectorAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 1 May 2030 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 30/04/2030
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
Lot #7One stop shop option for LA’s/wider public sectorAwardedRenewal 2 yrsSMEceiling above

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2028 (2 yrs) · up to 1 May 2030 with extensions
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: The initial duration of the Framework is 2 years, with the option to extend annually (+1 + 1 years) until 30/04/2030
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2

What it takes to win
i

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 more
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot2
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 50–60 points depending on the lot; most lots put it at 50 points.
  • “Milk, Dairy, Bread & Baked Goods” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

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
Goods
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Open framework scheme
Who may use this agreement
1. The University Caterers Organisation Limited (TUCO): https://account.tuco.ac.uk/delrvdkzgqmjfhudksgs 2. North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC) 3. Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC) 4. Higher Education Purchasing Consortium Wales (HEPCW) 5. London Universities Purchasing Consortium (LUPC) 6. North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC) 7. Southern Universities Procurement Consortium (SUPC) 8. Crescent Purchasing Consortium (CPC) 9. Local authorities 10.Central Government departments and their agencies 11. Police, fire and rescue, maritime and coastguard agency emergency services 12.NHS bodies, the HSC (Northern Ireland) and ambulance services 13. Schools, Educational establishments and Higher Education in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland For full details refer to Framework Permissible Users for details of contracting authorities that may use the Framework · open scheme: new suppliers can join during the term
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA, CPTPP)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 4 Feb 2030
First published
22 May 2025, 11:21 BST
Last source update
15 Jul 2026, 14:54 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 7 Apr 2026
Authority reference
CAT11078-TU
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-010208
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
BreadBread productsBread products, fresh pastry goods and cakesFull-cream milkMilkMilk and creamPasteurised milkPastry goodsPastry goods and cakesPrepared bread products
+4 moreSemi-skimmed milkSkimmed milk
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-051d10 Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Appointment period ends
6 Mar 2026, 15:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
27 Feb 2026, 15:00 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · 1.35% of call-off value
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

22 May 2025 → 15 Jul 2026 · 10 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    22 May 2025, 11:21 BST
  2. Next notice expected
    2 Sept 2025, 00:59 BST
  3. Tender notice published258 days ago
    4 Feb 2026, 18:05 GMT
  4. Clarification questions by235 days ago
    27 Feb 2026, 15:00 GMT
  5. Admission / appointment period ends228 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    6 Mar 2026, 15:00 GMT
  6. Award decision expected by196 days ago
    7 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
  7. Contract starts173 days ago
    1 May 2026, 00:00 BST
  8. Assessment summaries sent135 days ago
    8 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
  9. Standstill ends123 days ago
    19 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
  10. Latest notice published97 days ago
    15 Jul 2026, 14:54 BST

Notice history

10 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 22 May 2025
  1. Pipeline notice published
    22 May 2025, 11:21 BST
    UK1
  2. Tender notice published
    4 Feb 2026, 18:05 GMT
    UK4
  3. Published value published: £20,000,000
    4 Feb 2026, 18:05 GMT
  4. Status changed to active
    4 Feb 2026, 18:05 GMT
  5. Procurement method changed
    4 Feb 2026, 18:05 GMT
  6. Deadline published: 6 Mar 2026, 15:00 GMT
    4 Feb 2026, 18:05 GMT
  7. Contract award notice published
    9 Jun 2026, 16:37 BST
    UK6
  8. Status changed to complete
    9 Jun 2026, 16:37 BST
  9. Contract signature expected
    22 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  10. Contract details notice published
    15 Jul 2026, 14:54 BST
    UK7
Routine re-releases (4)
  • 2025-05: 1 release · 22 May 2025

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 227 awards · see the list ↓
Bids received 1710 from SMEs · busiest of 7 lots
Named bidders 23published on the award notice
Contracts signed 7latest 22 Jun 2026

£20,000,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 7 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 7 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.

Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Milk & Dairy products for HE/FE members1 award
ARTHUR DAVID (FOOD WITH SERVICE) LIMITED, Brake Bros Ltd, Harlech Foodservice Limited, Johal Dairies LimitedSME, Multihope Ltd t/a Paynes FoodserviceSME, R.D. JOHNS LIMITED +11 more22 Jun 2026 – 21 Jun 2028 · up to 21 Jun 2030Extensions: 1 year + 1 yearceiling above8 Jun 2026Awarded
Lot 2 · Milk & Dairy products for LA’s/wider public sector1 award
ARTHUR DAVID (FOOD WITH SERVICE) LIMITED, Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Harlech Foodservice Limited, Johal Dairies LimitedSME, Multihope Ltd t/a Paynes FoodserviceSME, SCHOOL MILK SERVICES LTDSME +9 more22 Jun 2026 – 21 Jun 2028 · up to 21 Jun 2030Extensions: 1 year + 1 yearceiling above8 Jun 2026Awarded
Lot 3 · Fresh Bread & Baked Goods for HE/FE members1 award
Johal Dairies LimitedSME, Morris Quality BakersSME, Multihope Ltd t/a Paynes FoodserviceSME, SCHOOL MILK SERVICES LTDSME, Tamar Fresh LtdSME, Thomas Ridley Foodservice +6 moreLot 3 - Fresh Bread & Baked Goods22 Jun 2026 – 21 Jun 2028 · up to 21 Jun 2030Extensions: 1 year + 1 yearceiling above8 Jun 2026Awarded
Lot 4 · Fresh Bread & Baked Goods for LA’s/wider public sector1 award
Johal Dairies LimitedSME, Morris Quality BakersSME, Multihope Ltd t/a Paynes FoodserviceSME, SCHOOL MILK SERVICES LTDSME, Tamar Fresh LtdSME, Thomas Ridley Foodservice +5 more22 Jun 2026 – 21 Jun 2028 · up to 21 Jun 2029Extensions: 1 year + 1 yearceiling above8 Jun 2026Awarded
Lot 5 · Frozen Bread & Baked Goods for HE/FE members1 award
Crowndale Food Services LTDSME, DELICE DE FRANCE, H N NuttallSME, Harlech Foodservice Limited, KENT FROZEN FOODS LIMITED, R.D. JOHNS LIMITED +3 more22 Jun 2026 – 21 Jun 2028 · up to 21 Jun 2030Extensions: 1 year + 1 yearceiling above8 Jun 2026Awarded
Lot 6 · Frozen Bread & Baked Goods for LA’s/wider public sector1 award
Crowndale Food Services LTDSME, DELICE DE FRANCE, Dunsters Farm LimitedSME, Harlech Foodservice Limited, KENT FROZEN FOODS LIMITED, Thomas Ridley Foodservice +1 moreLot 6 Frozen Bread & Baked Goods for LA's/wider public sector22 Jun 2026 – 21 Jun 2028 · up to 21 Jun 2030Extensions: 1 year + 1 yearceiling above8 Jun 2026Awarded
Lot 7 · One stop shop option for LA’s/wider public sector1 award
Harlech Foodservice Limited, Johal Dairies LimitedSME, Multihope Ltd t/a Paynes FoodserviceSME, SCHOOL MILK SERVICES LTDSME, Tamar Fresh LtdSME, Thomas Ridley Foodservice +6 more22 Jun 2026 – 21 Jun 2028 · up to 21 Jun 2030Extensions: 1 year + 1 yearceiling above8 Jun 2026Awarded

Contracts

All 7 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £20,000,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Milk & Dairy products for HE/FE members17final-stage tenders · 22 at stage one80—
2 · Milk & Dairy products for LA’s/wider public sector17final-stage tenders · 21 at stage one80—
3 · Fresh Bread & Baked Goods for HE/FE members12final-stage tenders · 16 at stage one100—
4 · Fresh Bread & Baked Goods for LA’s/wider public sector11final-stage tenders · 15 at stage one90—
5 · Frozen Bread & Baked Goods for HE/FE members10final-stage tenders · 13 at stage one30—
6 · Frozen Bread & Baked Goods for LA’s/wider public sector10final-stage tenders · 12 at stage one30—
7 · One stop shop option for LA’s/wider public sector13final-stage tenders · 16 at stage one80—

Who bid

Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

THE UNIVERSITY CATERERS ORGANISATION LIMITED

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-COH: 06124779 · GB-PPON: PGVP-3345-RDVR Mitchell Charlesworth, Manchester, North West, M2 5GPContact name, email

Framework contractors & participating bidders

23 commercial parties on the notice
  • ARTHUR DAVID (FOOD WITH SERVICE) LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 02059424GB-PPON: PYTB-6397-DQMX Hillside Farm Sutton Wick, Bristol, South West, BS39 5XRContact email
  • COTTESWOLD DAIRY LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 00447327GB-PPON: PCWC-9882-JBVW Unit 22 Dairy Way, Tewkesbury, South West, GL20 8JEContact email
  • CROWNDALE FOOD SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 04540933GB-PPON: PYWT-4638-DLHH unit C & D, Bardon, East Midlands, LE67 1FLContact email
  • DAIRYLINK UK LTDFramework contractorGB-COH: 06946519GB-PPON: PTVY-1946-ZCTY 1st & 2nd Floors 64 High Street, Stone, West Midlands, ST15 8AUContact email
  • DELICE DE FRANCE LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 02148529GB-PPON: PQPR-5321-ZZLQ 149 Brent Road, Southall, London, UB2 5LJContact email
  • DUNSTERS FARM LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 00786115GB-PPON: PPGD-6718-RDBX Waterfold Business Park, Lancs, North West, BL9 7BRContact email
  • Fresh Direct (UK) LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 03053702GB-PPON: PBRV-2153-CMMX Enterprise House, Ashford, South East, TN25 4AGContact email
  • H.N.NUTTALL LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 00362138GB-PPON: PLVT-2698-XNBD Newton Moor Indl. Estate, Cheshire, North West, SK14 4LFContact email
  • HARLECH FOODSERVICE LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 01413059GB-PPON: PMJC-2672-YNNW Harlech Foodservice Ltd Parc Amaeth, Criccieth, Wales, LL52 0LJContact email
  • HENLLAN BREAD (UK) LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 06239991GB-PPON: PHTZ-9191-LRPM Colomendy Trading Estate, Denbigh, Wales, LL16 5TAContact email
Show 13 more suppliers
  • JOHAL DAIRIES LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 02166058GB-PPON: PTZZ-9454-BJPP Cannock Road, West Midlands, West Midlands, WV1 1PNContact email
  • KENT FROZEN FOODS LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 00723950GB-PPON: PGTC-5977-NWYH Enterprise House, Ashford, South East, TN25 4AGContact email
  • MORRIS QUALITY BAKERS LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 11670302GB-PPON: PTHV-2885-VHGQ Morris Quality Bakers Baker Street, Chorley, North West, PR7 5UHContact email
  • MULTIHOPE LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 03418741GB-PPON: PNTG-4411-LTZQ The Dairy Bar Lane, York, Yorkshire & Humber, YO51 9LSContact email
  • R.D. JOHNS LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 02007345GB-PPON: PDGJ-2531-NXCM Ugbrooke Business Park, Newton Abbot, South West, TQ12 3GPContact email
  • SCHOOL MILK SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 04270878GB-PPON: PLND-8426-BDCP Manor Farm Collum Lane, Weston Super Mare, South West, BS22 9JLContact email
  • Sysco GB LimitedFramework contractorGB-COH: 02035315GB-PPON: PYDW-5326-VLZT Enterprise House, Ashford, South East, TN25 4AGContact email
  • TAMAR FRESH LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 07597364GB-PPON: PGBV-7543-MMZT Barrett House Marjorie Court, Saltash, South West, PL12 6AYContact email
  • THOMAS RIDLEY AND SON,LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 00148692GB-PPON: PJNB-1887-JXJR 814 Leigh Road, Slough, South East, SL1 4BDContact email
  • TURNER & PRICE LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 02732141GB-PPON: PBVV-7696-QMCG 814 Leigh Road, Slough, South East, SL1 4BDContact email
  • Tamar Fresh LtdFramework contractorGB-PPON: PJNZ-1492-HCPR Barret House Marjorie Court, Unit 1, Saltash, South West, PL12 6AYContact email
  • WEST COUNTRY MILK CONSORTIUM LIMITEDFramework contractorGB-COH: 04032869GB-PPON: PWGD-3289-ZDWY Rundale Barn, Wotton Under Edge, South West, GL12 8ANContact email
  • West Horsley DairyFramework contractorGB-COH: 3154768GB-PPON: PRMP-4362-RVZP Unit 1, Octimum Business Park, Forsyth Road, Woking, South East, gu21 5sfContact email

Official documents & specifications (31)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Show 5 more documents

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
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  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
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  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Pipeline notice planningPipeline noticeUK1Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

2 further documents are listed in the JSON mirror.