Scope
Description
The Home Office seeks a commercial partner(s) for the provision of catering services for locations across the UK. These services will support individuals temporarily accommodated at these sites and will involve the regular delivery of pre-packaged food items such as sandwiches and snacks.
The Authority is seeking a flexible and responsive catering solution that meets basic nutritional needs and can be adapted to different service environments. The core requirement is for the provision of catering services for Kent and Croydon - provision of catering services for Belfast is optional. Suppliers who cannot provide for Belfast will not be disadvantaged. This market engagement aims to understand supplier capabilities and gather feedback on the proposed approach.
The content of this Notice, including the nature of works and services and the start date of the contract, may be subject to change.
The contract is expected to commence in January 2026 and will be in place for two years until January 2028, with the option to extend for an additional year until January 2029.
For the purposes of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice, the estimated contract value has been listed as £0. This figure does not reflect the expected final value of the contract. The actual estimated value is currently being finalised and will be shared at a later date.
Total value (estimated)
- £0 excluding VAT
- £0 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 January 2026 to 8 January 2028
- Possible extension to 7 January 2029
- 3 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 55520000 - Catering services
- 15894400 - Snacks
- 15894200 - Prepared meals
- 15811511 - Prepared sandwiches
- 15312300 - Potato crisps
- 03220000 - Vegetables, fruits and nuts
- 30170000 - Labelling machines
- 55321000 - Meal-preparation services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
Contract locations
- UKI62 - Croydon
- UKJ4 - Kent
- UKN06 - Belfast
Engagement
Engagement deadline
1 October 2025
Engagement process description
1. To express an interest, please send an email to the below address, including the following details:
Email: asylumsupportprocurementteam@homeoffice.gov.uk
Subject of email: Project_19323 - Catering for Asylum Intake Units: Expression of Interest
Email to include: Organisation name, Contact name, E-mail address and telephone number.
2. The Supplier will then be asked to complete a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and return back to the Authority.
3. Suppliers will receive access to the Statement of Requirements (SoR) and Supplier Questionnaire (SQ).
4. Suppliers will have the opportunity to submit clarification questions, for which the deadline to submit is 15th September. The Authority will answer these clarifications by 22nd September.
5. Suppliers are required to submit their SQ prior to the engagement deadline (1st October) for review by the Authority.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
20 October 2025
Contracting authority
Home Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWGC-6513-PQLZ
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Contact name: Asylum Support Procurement Team
Email: asylumsupportprocurementteam@homeoffice.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government