Department for Education has published a procurement opportunity for free breakfast club programme food partnering open call - academic year 26/27 with an estimated value of value not disclosed. The submission deadline is 5 May 2026, giving eligible UK suppliers a limited window to prepare and submit bids through the official Contracts Finder portal.

Published on 2026-03-31, this contract is open to suitably qualified suppliers across the United Kingdom. All businesses interested in bidding should review the full tender documentation and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before the closing date.

Contract overview

The free breakfast club programme is one of the Department for Education's flagship policies, central to the Government's mission to break down barriers to opportunity for every child. Once fully implemented, it will deliver a free breakfast club in every primary school in England, giving millions of children the chance to start the day supported and ready to learn. Evidence shows that where schools run breakfast clubs, they report improvements to pupils' behaviour, attendance and attainment. The free breakfast club programme will mean every school, every child, and every family has the chance to receive those benefits. Since April 2025, we have funded c.750 schools to offer a free breakfast club as early adopters, delivering 7 million meals so far. Following the success of the early adopters, we are moving to national rollout investing a further £80m into the programme to fund an additional c.2,000 schools between April 2026 and March 2027. This will benefit around half a million more children. We invited schools with a 40% or higher Free School Meal (FSM) rate (or the most disadvantaged school in an area, whichever is lower) to apply to join the scheme in April 2026, getting the benefits to those who need them most, first. National rollout will then continue in September 2026, when more schools will open their free breakfast clubs, taking the total to c.3000 schools. Business Collaboration Through the free breakfast club programme, schools are fully funded to deliver a 30-minute club each morning, giving parents free childcare whilst their children can enjoy a nutritious breakfast, however, there is room to increase the impact so children can start their day in the best possible way. We know there are already great partnerships happening locally between schools, businesses and industry. The Department is keen to explore how we could strengthen and scale these approaches nationally, to maximise impact and enable all participating schools to benef

Department for Education is the contracting authority for this procurement. The estimated contract value is value not disclosed and the submission deadline is 5 May 2026. Suppliers should download the full specification from the official portal before preparing a bid.

Is your business eligible?

This contract is most relevant to businesses with relevant experience and qualifications. Suppliers typically need to demonstrate experience delivering similar contracts, appropriate financial standing for a contract of value not disclosed, and hold relevant professional certifications and insurance.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, Department for Education must actively consider SME participation. Check whether this contract has been structured into lots accessible to smaller businesses.

• Proven track record in professional services contracts of comparable scope
• Financial standing appropriate for a value not disclosed contract
• Relevant certifications: relevant professional certifications and insurance
• Capacity to mobilise within Department for Education’s required timeframe
• Ability to meet the 5 May 2026 submission deadline

How to submit a bid

• Step 1 — Access the notice: Visit Contracts Finder at https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/890919
• Step 2 — Register free: Create or log in to your supplier account
• Step 3 — Download documents: Read the full ITT before preparing your response
• Step 4 — Raise clarifications: Submit questions early — Q&A typically closes 1–2 weeks before the deadline
• Step 5 — Submit before 5 May 2026: Late submissions are not accepted under UK procurement rules

What the buyer will evaluate

Department for Education will assess all compliant bids against published criteria. For professional services contracts, buyers typically apply a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. Under the Procurement Act 2023, social value is a mandatory evaluation criterion — demonstrate specific, costed commitments to local employment, skills, or environmental sustainability.

Writing a winning bid

The most common reason bids fail is generic content that does not address the buyer’s specific requirements. Department for Education has stated precise objectives — your bid must demonstrate you have read and understood them.

• Lead with an executive summary addressing Department for Education’s objectives directly
• Provide two or more case studies with measurable outcomes
• Include specific, costed social value commitments
• Price to win but ensure your margin covers full delivery
• Submit at least 24 hours before 5 May 2026

Key dates and next steps

The submission deadline is 5 May 2026. Competitive bids for professional services contracts require two to three weeks of preparation. Following submission, Department for Education will typically complete evaluation within four to eight weeks.

• Download all documents from Contracts Finder today
• Confirm your organisation meets all eligibility requirements
• Assign a bid lead and set internal milestones now
• Submit clarification questions as early as possible

Frequently asked questions

Can SMEs bid for this contract?

Yes. The Procurement Act 2023 requires Department for Education to consider SME suitability and remove unnecessary barriers. Check for lots designed to be accessible to smaller businesses.

Is registration on the portal free?

Yes. Registering as a supplier on Contracts Finder is completely free.

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Late submissions are not accepted. The 5 May 2026 deadline is absolute. Submit at least 24 hours early.

How long does evaluation take?

Department for Education will notify all bidders once evaluation is complete. Allow four to eight weeks from the submission deadline.

Where are the full tender documents?

All documents are on the official Contracts Finder listing at https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/890919. Always use the official source.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify all details on the official procurement portal before submitting a bid. Kael Tripton is not affiliated with or endorsed by Department for Education or the UK government.