Avon and Somerset Police Catering Services

Avon and Somerset Police have a combined cleaning and catering contract in place with an expiry date of September 2026. A decision has been made to split the cleaning and catering into two separate contracts after this date and a tender process is already underway for a regional cleaning contract which Avon and Somerset Police are included in.

Market engagement was undertaken in April / May 2024 with regards to catering services for Avon and Somerset Police, however we believe that it will be valuable to undertake further engagement with the market prior to issuing a tender package as the requirements for catering have now changed slightly and we are aware that there may also have been developments in the market during this time.

Avon and Somerset Police currently have a café at their Headquarters Site in Portishead (BS20 8JJ). They also have a number of vending machines across their estate. Hospitality is also provided as part of the existing contract.

The purpose of the Market Engagement Notice is for early engagement with the market prior to undertaking a formal tender process which is anticipated to commence in early 2026. The market engagement is to openly consult with the wider market place to share our requirements and gather information whilst also providing information on our current position. We will be seeking input from the supply market to inform our requirements, to help formulate our specification for the services and help identify routes to market.

If you are interested in supporting SWPPS with this engagement, please respond to this notice to katie.baxter@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk, and you will be emailed a pre-market engagement questionnaire, which includes some customer background information, so you can do any preparatory work you think necessary before attending a Microsoft Teams meeting to discuss your responses if you so wish. The closing date for pre-market engagement questionnaire returns and requests for subsequent Team meetings will be midday on Thursday 27th November 2025.

SWPPS are committed to ensuring fairness, openness and transparency, and to follow the Public Contract Regulations 2015. This notice is issued solely for the purpose of conducting pre-procurement market testing and engagement. Interested parties will not be prejudiced or advantaged by any response or lack thereof to this notice. This notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services, supplies or works for SWPPS. SWPPS are not liable for any costs, fees, or expenses incurred by any party in replying to the notice.