Scope
Reference
DN766798
Description
The London Borough of Hackney is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced supplier to provide catering services (lunch and snacks) for children under 5 at Hackney's Children's Centres and Family Hubs.
The supplier must have experience in providing Early Years catering services which are in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage Nutritional Guidance (2025) and the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering.
Children's Centres and Family Hub provide a range of family support services from a single location; working closely with schools, GPs and other local service providers. Their services generally also include childcare for 0-5 year olds.
The Catering Service will be required for nine Children and Family Hub Centres. Six of these centres are managed by Hackney Council, two are school-based Children's and Family Hub Centres and the third is a nursery school & Children's and Family Hub Centres
The maximum available budget over the 3 year contract period will be £2,100,000. If the contract is extended to 4 years the maximum budget will be £2,800,00.
TUPE is expected so Tenderers must possess Admitted Body Status within the Local Government Pension Scheme (or be willing to have this in place by time for contract start) to comply with TUPE transfer requirements. Admitted body status will form part of the shortlisting criteria for invitation to submit a tender.
Total value (estimated)
- £2,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029
- Possible extension to 30 April 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
One 12 month extension is permitted.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55520000 - Catering services
Contract locations
- UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
22 September 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Submissions must be made using the London Tender Portal https://www.londontenders.org/
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
3 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| quality | Quality | 65% |
| Price | Price | 35% |
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
i) It is possible that Children Centres may be removed from the framework at any point after the first year of the contract if catering provision is no longer required at this location. Payments for the Children Centre removed from the framework will finish at the end of the notice period. In all cases a minimum of 3 months notice will be provided.
ii) It is not yet determined whether meals will be prepared for Oldhill Children Centre on site or offsite. We expect to be able to advise on this at the full tender stage.
iii) It is possible that further Children Centres may join the framework after the framework has commenced. A maximum of 2 Children Centres will be permitted to join at a budget of £180,000.
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
This procurement will use the Competitive flexible procedure.
This will involve three stages
Stage 1 - Tenderers must pass the Conditions of Participation and Procurement Specific Questions in order to be invited to the full tender stage.
Stage 2 - Submission and evaluation of tender submission (quality questions and price). Those tenderers that meet the quality thresholds met will be shortlisted (4 highest scoring) and invited to stage 3.
Stage 3 - Food Presentation, demonstration and question and answer session. The food presentation and demonstration will be scored and the question and answer session will be used to clarify proposals.
The tenderer achieving the highest score overall will be recommended to deliver the contract.
Contracting authority
London Borough of Hackney
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRZC-5592-DDDV
Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street
Hackney
E8 1DY
United Kingdom
Contact name: Rehilah Hamid
Telephone: +44 2083563000
Email: Rehilah.Hamid@hackney.gov.uk
Website: https://hackney.gov.uk/tenders
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government