Scope
Reference
98_26
Description
This is for a Preliminary market engagement (PME) where the tender documentation is not yet available. However, interest (Expressions of interest) can still be registered (see below for details on how to complete, and please also refer to the Engagement Section for further details on this).
ESPO are intending to establish a National framework for the supply of various heavy and light commercial catering equipment, maintenance and servicing of catering equipment and turnkey kitchen design. Suppliers will be able to bid on a regional and/or sub-regional basis.
We are seeking to engage with suppliers who can offer;
a) the direct supply and delivery of a wide range of heavy and commercial catering equipment;
b) the direct supply and delivery of light catering equipment and/or catering consumables and disposables;
c) preventative and reactive maintenance and servicing of commercial catering equipment;
d) turnkey kitchen design and installation.
To express an interest:
(a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '98_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest.
Please access the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - Messages can be accessed via the Activity dashboard once an Expression of interest has been completed) for any further communications on this preliminary market engagement, including the RFI documentation.
For further details on the Procurement Act, including registration on the Central Digital Platform, this can be found as follows:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/information-and-guidance-for-suppliers
Or otherwise, please refer to the ESPO Website as follows:
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £54,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 39221000 - Kitchen equipment
- 39222000 - Catering supplies
- 39310000 - Catering equipment
- 42500000 - Cooling and ventilation equipment
- 45212500 - Kitchen or restaurant conversion
- 45421151 - Installation of fitted kitchens
- 50883000 - Repair and maintenance services of catering equipment
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
27 June 2025
Engagement process description
Suppliers are required to register and complete the relevant stages on the Central Digital Platform if they wish to participate in or bid for this framework.
Request for Information:
A 98_26 Heavy and Light Catering Equipment RFI document is available on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal (www.eastmidstenders.org). Suppliers wishing to participate must first register interest for 98_26 on the EastMidsTenders eProcurement Portal.
The RFI is available within a Public Message on the Portal, which includes instructions on completion and the RFI return deadline. A complimentary FAQ document is also available to review alongside this.
ESPO may contact suppliers to seek clarification or understanding of the information provided in their RFI response or to discuss their RFI responses in further detail.
To ensure that equal treatment principles are upheld, any information provided by the market that ESPO deems to be neither confidential or commercially sensitive which shapes our procurement process, proposed route and any refinements will be shared and used to help ensure that participating suppliers are not unfairly advantaged, including details of the process and outcomes. Potential bidders will not be prejudiced by any participation or failure to participate to this preliminary market engagement exercise and should note that a response to this preliminary market engagement exercise does not guarantee an invitation to participate in this or any future procurement that ESPO may conduct.
For the purposes of this Preliminary market engagement (PME), please express your interest as follows:
(a) Go to https://www.eastmidstenders.org/; (b) Register (if not already registered on ProContract); (c) Search for tender opportunity '98_26' (via "View Opportunities" from the EastMidsTenders Portal); d) Express an interest.
Please access the Messages area/section of the eProcurement Portal (ProContract / EastMidsTenders - Messages can be accessed via the Activity dashboard once an Expression of interest has been completed) for any further communications on this preliminary market engagement, including the RFI documentation.
In the case of any questions or clarifications relating to this PME, these should also be submitted to ESPO as a Message on the eProcurement Portal (again once an Expression of interest has been completed).
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
22 August 2025
Contracting authority
Leicestershire County Council, trading as ESPO
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYDD-1122-TCVN
Barnsdale Way, Grove Park, Enderby
Leicester
LE19 1ES
United Kingdom
Contact name: Food, Communities and Technology Procurement Team
Email: tenders@espo.org
Website: https://www.espo.org/
Region: UKF22 - Leicestershire CC and Rutland
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government