Scope
Description
Overview
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE) currently delivers catering services across three hospital sites: Basildon, Broomfield, and Southend. These services encompass both patient meal provision and retail restaurant catering outlets, delivered through a combination of in-house operations and contracted arrangements.
Strategic Objective
The Trust is embarking on a transformation of its catering provision to establish a future-proof, compliant, and sustainable service model. This initiative is driven by the following key factors:
1. Compliance and Standards: Alignment with NHS food safety, nutrition, and sustainability requirements.
2. Enhanced Patient Experience: Meeting rising expectations for choice, quality, and overall patient satisfaction.
3. Commercial and Operational Efficiency: Leveraging opportunities to improve financial performance and operational effectiveness within retail catering.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to Cabinet Office requirements for business case approval and ensuring full compliance under the Procurement Act 2023.
Please Note: This notice is for market testing purposes only and does not represent a decision to outsource catering services or a commitment to any future procurement.
Total value (estimated)
- £102,968,873 excluding VAT
- £123,562,647.60 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2027 to 31 August 2032
- Possible extension to 31 August 2034
- 7 years
Description of possible extension:
5+1+1
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
5 year initial term with x2 one year optional extension
Main procurement category
Services
Additional procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 55520000 - Catering services
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
up to 3 awards (one for each lot)
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Broomfield Hospital Retail and Patient Catering Services
Description
Delivery of patient and retail catering services at Broomfield Hospital
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Basildon Hospital Retail and Patient Catering Services
Description
Delivery of Retail and Patient Catering Services at Basildon Hospital
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. Lot 3 - Southend Hospital Retail and Patient Catering Services
Description
Delivery of patient and retail catering services at Southend Hospital
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract dates and options are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
5 March 2026
Enquiry deadline
23 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
30 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Please visit Salesforce (NHS Atamis) portal:
Suppliers registration link is as follows:
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
20 November 2026
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Stage 1 - Participation Period (Supplier Shortlisting)
Interested suppliers will be invited to submit responses during the participation period. These responses will be assessed against the published selection criteria to create a shortlist of qualified suppliers.
Stage 2 - Invitation to Tender (ITT)
Shortlisted suppliers will receive the Invitation to Tender, including the detailed output specification. Following submission of tender responses, bids will be evaluated in accordance with the published award criteria. The highest-scoring suppliers (top X) will progress to the next stage, which includes presentations and product tastings.
Stage 3 - Final Stage (Negotiation and Dialogue)
Suppliers advancing to the final stage will engage in structured negotiation and dialogue sessions. This stage aims to refine proposals, clarify requirements, and ensure best value outcomes prior to contract award.
Contracting authority
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBVJ-9475-ZCMD
Nethermayne
Basildon
SS16 5NL
United Kingdom
Contact name: Abi Adisa
Telephone: 0300 443 0003
Email: abi.adisa@nhs.net
Website: https://www.mse.nhs.uk/
Region: UKH37 - Essex Thames Gateway
Organisation type: Public authority - central government