Find a TenderAwarded
Published 7 Mar 2024, 14:56 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Retail Confectionary · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: Cardiff University (Education)·Consortium: 2 public authorities

Framework agreement5 lotsGoodsCompetitive dialogueSME suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£10,000,000total for 5 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 17 Apr 2024awarded 21 Aug 2025
Lots 5see the lot list below

What is being bought5 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Cardiff University has awarded a Contract for Retail Confectionary

  • Recurrence: Within 48 months.

CPV: Beverages, tobacco and related products · Bread products, fresh pastry goods and cakes · Catering supplies · Food, beverages, tobacco and related products · Personal care products · Tobacco, tobacco goods and supplies

How this framework works

From the published notice
Places
up to 30 suppliers · 13 bids on the busiest of 5 lots (0.4 per place) · 12 appointed

Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure

5 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Confectionery, Snacks & Soft DrinksAwardedRenewal UK, WalesPublished value£15,372,000

Cardiff University has awarded a contract for Retail Confectionery using TUCO framework.

Delivery: UK, Wales
Extensions: 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2026 with the option to extend for 2 further years (in one year increments) until 30th June 2028Variant bids: allowed
Lot #2CakesAwardedRenewal UKPublished value£13,892,000

The University Caterers Organisation Limited is a not for profit company limited by member guarantee. An objective of The University Caterers Organisation Limited, is to seek opportunities to exploit economies of scale available by coordinating the demand of individual universities, colleges and other institutions of higher and further education and other public sector bodies for goods and/or services and utilising the collective purchasing opportunities of universities, colleges and other institutions of higher and further education and other public sector bodies in achieving value for money within their purchasing activities, which may be on a national, inter-regional or regional basis.TUCO acts as purchasing agent in obtaining tenders and/or entering into negotiations and/or contracts for the supply of specific goods and/or services; and to confer, consult and maintain contact and co-operate with any authorities, association, societies, institutions and relevant bodies whose work is appropriate to the work of the Company.The purpose of this contract is for the supply and distribution of convenience retail products and services, to members and clients of TUCO. The Agreement is open to the current and future member Institutions & affiliated Public Sector bodies.The scope of commodities to be covered in this framework lot are as follows:Cakes (Ambient, Chilled, Fresh & Frozen)Large Pre-sliced CakesTray BakesCake SlicesMuffinsBiscuitsFlapjacksHigh Protein ProductsPatisserie. Additional information: Please refer to the TUCO Ltd Notes to Tenderers' and other tender documents for further information and guidance on completing all parts of the open tender. Evaluation is a combination of Pass/Fail questions and scored weighted responses. The Framework Agreement is for use by TUCO Ltd clients see account.tuco.ac.uk/delrvdkzgqmjfhudksgs ↗

Delivery: UK
Extensions: 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2026 with the option to extend for 2 further years (in one year increments) until 30th June 2028Variant bids: allowed
Lot #3Convenience Retail Non-FoodAwardedRenewal UKPublished value£1,536,000

The University Caterers Organisation Limited is a not for profit company limited by member guarantee. An objective of The University Caterers Organisation Limited, is to seek opportunities to exploit economies of scale available by coordinating the demand of individual universities, colleges and other institutions of higher and further education and other public sector bodies for goods and/or services and utilising the collective purchasing opportunities of universities, colleges and other institutions of higher and further education and other public sector bodies in achieving value for money within their purchasing activities, which may be on a national, inter-regional or regional basis.TUCO acts as purchasing agent in obtaining tenders and/or entering into negotiations and/or contracts for the supply of specific goods and/or services; and to confer, consult and maintain contact and co-operate with any authorities, association, societies, institutions and relevant bodies whose work is appropriate to the work of the Company.The purpose of this contract is for the supply and distribution of convenience retail products and services, to members and clients of TUCO. The Agreement is open to the current and future member Institutions & affiliated Public Sector bodies.The scope of commodities to be covered within this framework lot are as follows:LaundryHousehold GoodsSmall Electronic Items. Additional information: Please refer to the TUCO Ltd Notes to Tenderers' and other tender documents for further information and guidance on completing all parts of the open tender. Evaluation is a combination of Pass/Fail questions and scored weighted responses. The Framework Agreement is for use by TUCO Ltd clients see account.tuco.ac.uk/delrvdkzgqmjfhudksgs ↗

Delivery: UK
Extensions: 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2026 with the option to extend for 2 further years (in one year increments) until 30th June 2028Variant bids: allowed
Lot #4Cigarettes, Tobacco, E-Cigarettes and associated productsAwardedRenewal UKPublished value£1,532,000

The University Caterers Organisation Limited is a not for profit company limited by member guarantee. An objective of The University Caterers Organisation Limited, is to seek opportunities to exploit economies of scale available by coordinating the demand of individual universities, colleges and other institutions of higher and further education and other public sector bodies for goods and/or services and utilising the collective purchasing opportunities of universities, colleges and other institutions of higher and further education and other public sector bodies in achieving value for money within their purchasing activities, which may be on a national, inter-regional or regional basis.TUCO acts as purchasing agent in obtaining tenders and/or entering into negotiations and/or contracts for the supply of specific goods and/or services; and to confer, consult and maintain contact and co-operate with any authorities, association, societies, institutions and relevant bodies whose work is appropriate to the work of the Company.The purpose of this contract is for the supply and distribution of convenience retail products and services, to members and clients of TUCO. The Agreement is open to the current and future member Institutions & affiliated Public Sector bodies.The scope of commodities to be covered in this framework lot are as follows:CigarettesTobacco & associated productsE-Cigarettes & associated products. Additional information: Please refer to the TUCO Ltd Notes to Tenderers' and other tender documents for further information and guidance on completing all parts of the open tender. Evaluation is a combination of Pass/Fail questions and scored weighted responses. The Framework Agreement is for use by TUCO Ltd clients see account.tuco.ac.uk/delrvdkzgqmjfhudksgs ↗

Delivery: UK
Extensions: 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2026 with the option to extend for 2 further years (in one year increments) until 30th June 2028Variant bids: allowed
Lot #5One Stop ShopAwardedRenewal UKPublished value£7,668,000

The University Caterers Organisation Limited is a not for profit company limited by member guarantee. An objective of The University Caterers Organisation Limited, is to seek opportunities to exploit economies of scale available by coordinating the demand of individual universities, colleges and other institutions of higher and further education and other public sector bodies for goods and/or services and utilising the collective purchasing opportunities of universities, colleges and other institutions of higher and further education and other public sector bodies in achieving value for money within their purchasing activities, which may be on a national, inter-regional or regional basis.TUCO acts as purchasing agent in obtaining tenders and/or entering into negotiations and/or contracts for the supply of specific goods and/or services; and to confer, consult and maintain contact and co-operate with any authorities, association, societies, institutions and relevant bodies whose work is appropriate to the work of the Company.The purpose of this contract is for the supply and distribution of convenience retail products and services, to members and clients of TUCO. The Agreement is open to the current and future member Institutions and affiliated Public Sector bodies.The scope of commodities to be covered in this framework lot are as follows:Confectionery, Snacks and Soft DrinksCakes Convenience Retail Grocery (Ambient, Chilled Fresh & Frozen)International/World FoodsAlcoholCigarettes, Tobacco, E-Cigarettes and associated productsConvenience Retail Non-Food. Additional information: Please refer to the TUCO Ltd Notes to Tenderers' and other tender documents for further information and guidance on completing all parts of the open tender. Evaluation is a combination of Pass/Fail questions and scored weighted responses. The Framework Agreement is for use by TUCO Ltd clients see account.tuco.ac.uk/delrvdkzgqmjfhudksgs ↗

Delivery: UK
Extensions: 1st July 2024 until 30th June 2026 with the option to extend for 2 further years (in one year increments) until 30th June 2028Variant bids: allowed

What it takes to win
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How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 4 lots
Quality: 50%Price: 50%
Published award criteria (1)
  • Price
Conditions of participation1
  • Suitability

    Suitability criteria as stated in the procurement documents.

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 50 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 5 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
  • “Retail Confectionary” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 30 suppliers, not a single contract.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
Procedure method
Competitive dialogue
Legal basis
CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · Within 48 months.
First published
7 Mar 2024, 14:56 GMT
Last source update
2 Sept 2025, 10:15 BST
Award evaluation window
17 Apr 2024 – …
Authority reference
CU.1584.AR
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-053030
Classification (CPV)
Beverages, tobacco and related productsBread products, fresh pastry goods and cakesCatering suppliesFood, beverages, tobacco and related productsPersonal care productsTobacco, tobacco goods and supplies
Delivery area
UKWales (UKL)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-044673 Find a Tender
Review and risk notes
Review procedure

The authority will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill at the point information on award of contract is communicated to tenderers. This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing from the contracting authority before the contract is entered into. Applicants have 2 working days from notification of the award decision to request additional debriefing and that information has to be provided a minimum of 3 working days before expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be requested from the address of the contracting authority of this contract notice. If an appeal regarding the award of a contract has not been successfully resolved the public contract regulations 2006 (SI 2006 No 5) provide aggrieved parties who have been harmed or at risk of harm by breach of the rules to action in the high court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland). Any such action must be brought promptly. Where a contract has been entered into the court may order the setting aside of the award decision or order the authority to amend any document and may award damages. If the contract has been entered into the court may only award damages.

Publisher note: (WA Ref:155234)

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Appointment period ends
17 Apr 2024, 17:00 BST
Submission channel
{"electronicSubmission","written"}
Accepted languages
en
Bids opened
17 Apr 2024, 12:00 BST
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

17 Apr 2024 → 2 Sept 2025 · 4 dates
  1. Bids opened
    17 Apr 2024, 12:00 BST
  2. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    17 Apr 2024, 17:00 BST
  3. Bids must remain valid until
    31 Oct 2024, 23:59 GMT
  4. Notice published
    2 Sept 2025, 10:15 BST

Notice history

3 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 10 Jul 2024
  1. Status changed to complete
    10 Jul 2024, 12:09 BST
  2. Procurement method changed
    2 Sept 2025, 10:15 BST
  3. Buyer details updated
    2 Sept 2025, 10:15 BST

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 12admitted to the panel · see the list ↓
Bids received 138 from SMEs · busiest of 5 lots
Contracts signed 6latest 21 Aug 2025

6 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.

Contracts

  • Contract 053030-2025-CU.1584.AR-1

    Signed
    21 Aug 2025
    Value
    £1,320,192
    Status
    active
  • Confectionery, Snacks & Soft Drinks

    Signed
    11 Jun 2024
    Value
    £15,372,000
    Status
    active
  • Cakes (Ambient, Chilled, Fresh & Frozen)

    Signed
    11 Jun 2024
    Value
    £13,892,000
    Status
    active
  • Convenience Retail Non-Food

    Signed
    11 Jun 2024
    Value
    £1,536,000
    Status
    active
  • Cigarettes, Tobacco, E-Cigarettes and associated products

    Signed
    11 Jun 2024
    Value
    £1,532,000
    Status
    active
  • One Stop Shop

    Signed
    11 Jun 2024
    Value
    £7,668,000
    Status
    active

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Confectionery, Snacks & Soft Drinks13bids · 13 electronic8——
2 · Cakes9bids · 9 electronic4——
3 · Convenience Retail Non-Food3bids · 3 electronic1——
4 · Cigarettes, Tobacco, E-Cigarettes and associated products3bids · 3 electronic1——
5 · One Stop Shop3bids · 3 electronic1——

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

2 public bodies on the notice

Cardiff University

Contracting authorityEducationBody governed by public lawEducation Procurement Services, The Spark Building, 3rd Floor, Maindy Road, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 4HQContact email, phone

Consortium members and other public bodies

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • High CourtReview body LondonContact phone
  • The University Caterers Organisation LimitedMediation body ManchesterContact email, phone
  • The University Caterers Organisation Limited (TUCO)Review body ManchesterContact email, phone

Framework contractors & participating bidders

13 commercial parties on the notice
Show 3 more suppliers
  • Harlech Foodservice LimitedFramework contractor1413059 Food Park, Criccieth, Gwynedd LL52 0LJ, Criccieth, UK, LL52 0LJ
  • Premcrest LtdFramework contractor1071218 Alliance House, York Street, Bradford BD8 0HR, Bradford, UK, BD8 0HR
  • WDS Group LimitedFramework contractor7048195 Unit 38,Peel Mills Industrial Estate, Chamberhall Street, Bury BL9 0LU, Bury, UK, BL9 0LU

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

  • Economic and financial selection criteriatenderEconomic and financial selection criteria
  • Technical selection criteriatenderTechnical selection criteria