Scope
Reference
DN777353
Description
This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition. It is being published to give notice to the market of an upcoming procurement anticipated for release in October 2025.
Dorset Council (the Council) is undertaking early market engagement, with the aim of providing information to and requesting feedback from the catering Industry, about aspects of the Council's Catering Facilities Procurement at Purbeck Sports Centre. The operational service delivery elements would commence on 1st April 2026 under a Concession Contract.
The market engagement exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to outline their views and ideas about the future provision of these services.
No information provided in response to this questionnaire will be used by the Council in assessing providers during the procurement process, which is scheduled to commence October 2025.
Any procurement for the supply and services required by the Council will be carried out in accordance with relevant Procurement Regulations.
This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is not a call for competition and is published with the intention of informing the market of an upcoming procurement process.
Dorset Council reserves the right not to commence any procurement in respect of this notice.
Dorset Council shall not be liable for any losses incurred by any party as a result of reliance on the information contained/linked herein.
The information contained in this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is preliminary in nature and may be subject to further amendment and revision. Accordingly, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, will be made and no liability is, or will be, accepted by the Council as to the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of this document. Any liability however arising is expressly disclaimed.
No expense in responding to this soft market testing will be reimbursed by the Council.
Total value (estimated)
- £5,000,000 excluding VAT
- £6,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 1 April 2031
- Possible extension to 1 April 2036
- 10 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55300000 - Restaurant and food-serving services
- 55500000 - Canteen and catering services
- 55400000 - Beverage-serving services
Contract locations
- UKK25 - Dorset
Engagement
Engagement deadline
5 July 2025
Engagement process description
Dorset Council (the Council) is undertaking early market engagement, with the aim of providing information to and requesting feedback from the Catering Industry, about aspects of the Council's Catering Facilities Procurement at Purbeck Sports Centre.
The Council wishes to seek feedback from the industry in the following specific areas, but would welcome any additional comments also:
• Deliverability of this procurement exercise
• Services to be included
• Contract length
• Terms and conditions
The process will involve relevant companies and organisations responding to the market engagement questions provided on the Council's e-tendering portal Supplying the South West Portal - https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=b155dec6-c042-f011-8136-005056b64545&p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21
The soft market testing exercise is intended to allow interested organisations with appropriate experience to express an interest in the opportunity and to outline their views and ideas about the future provision of these services.
It is anticipated that as part of any procurement process, organisations will be expected to show:
• Proven experience in the cafe/bar industry.
• A commitment to sustainability and locally sourced products.
• Innovative ideas for menu development and customer engagement.
• Strong financial and operational management capabilities.
The deadline for responses to the market engagement questionnaire is 2.00pm 04 July 2025.
Any clarification questions should be submitted via Supplying the South West Portal no later than 2.00pm on 27 June 2025.
It is not a requirement that all sections are completed by all respondents.
Where Dorset Council think further clarification would assist them in informing this process, one-to-one meetings may be necessary with interested organisations who complete and return the questionnaire.
Please be aware that no information submitted will be treated as confidential and may be disclosed to ensure a level playing field for all participants in any procurement process that may follow. Additionally, the council will only sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) using its standard terms and conditions if subsequently requested.
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
2 October 2025
Procedure
Special regime
Concession
Contracting authority
Dorset Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHCY-8926-WVVM
Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park
Dorchester
DT1 1XJ
United Kingdom
Region: UKK25 - Dorset
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government