Crescent Purchasing Consortium Limited is re-tendering its outsourced catering services framework through CA17978 - Outsourced Catering Services 5. The opportunity is listed with an estimated contract value of £1,499,999,982 and a closing date of 11 August 2026 at 12:00pm.
CA17978 is a re-tender of CPC's current Outsourced Catering Services Framework, which is due to expire in September 2026. Suppliers can review the Contracts Finder notice before deciding whether to bid. Thornton & Lowe supports suppliers with bid writing services for major public sector framework opportunities like this.
What the framework covers
CPC intends to establish an Open Framework for outsourced facilities suppliers specialising in catering services. The primary audience is education, including universities, colleges, academies, schools and multi-academy trusts, but the scope also extends into the wider public sector.
The purpose is to give CPC members a compliant route to market while using collective spending power to reduce costs. This makes the framework highly relevant for catering providers that can evidence reliable mobilisation, menu development, food safety, cost control, staffing, pupil or student engagement, and contract management at scale.
Regional lot approach
The lot structure is regional, with separate routes for universities, colleges, large MATs and wider public sector users across areas including East Anglia, East Midlands, London, North East, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Separate lots also cover academies, schools and small MATs.
Suppliers should avoid treating this as one generic catering submission. Regional coverage, contract mobilisation, supply chain resilience and local service management are likely to matter. The strongest responses will show how a supplier can deliver consistent standards while adapting to different institution sizes, geographies and service models.
Why this is a major opportunity
The framework forms part of a longer open framework series expected to conclude in October 2034. The current contract period runs from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2028, but the wider series gives this opportunity strategic importance for education catering suppliers.
Key facts
- Buyer: Crescent Purchasing Consortium Limited
- Opportunity: CA17978 - Outsourced Catering Services 5
- Estimated value: £1,499,999,982
- Closing date: 11 August 2026 at 12:00pm
- Contract period: 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2028
- Procedure: Open procedure
Because CPC is a recognised education-sector purchasing body, suppliers should prepare evidence that speaks directly to member priorities: value for money, food quality, compliance, service continuity, sustainability, social value and measurable savings. Our guide to answering social value tender questions may be useful when shaping community, local employment and sustainability content.
How to access the tender
CPC is using the MultiQuote e-Tendering platform. Registered suppliers should log in and view opportunity CA17978. New suppliers should register on MultiQuote and quote CA17978 as the reason for registration.
If you're targeting this opportunity, Thornton & Lowe can help you shape your regional strategy, evidence base and framework response before the August deadline.
