Your recommendation

Catering services dynamic purchasing system (DPS)

We think you should use the Education Buying framework.

What it offers

The Education Buying Catering Services DPS is a PCR15-compliant way to access the market via an easy, supported further competition process for a fully managed, outsourced catering service, with pre-vetted suppliers ensuring a faster award process.

The DPS is specifically for school catering services with the flexibility to respond to changes in the market.

Catering services include, but are not limited to:

  • innovative and healthy menu development
  • menu substitutions or variations
  • free school meals
  • dietary requirements
  • packed lunches
  • breakfast, snack and after school clubs
  • pre-ordering and online payment systems
  • skilled dieticians, chefs, and staff
  • premises and equipment
  • environment and sustainability
  • marketing and merchandising
  • food safety and hygiene
  • social value
  • waste management or cleaning

Benefits

  • split by geographical area so that national and local suppliers can be admitted onto the DPS at any time, subject to meeting the minimum criteria
  • simple to use with further support available from Education Buying
  • social value is included as part of the assessed award criteria when running a further competition, creating social value outcomes that benefit the school and the wider community

All frameworks also offer:

  • compliance with the relevant procurement regulations
  • suppliers pre-checked by the approved framework provider
  • pre-agreed terms and conditions
Visit the Education Buying website
If this framework agreement does not match your needs, or you need advice during your procurement, get free help and support from the Get help buying for schools service.