The Department for Transport conducts its procurement in accordance with UK Government's value for money policies and principles, utilising collaborative arrangements where these are available and in accordance with the legal and regulatory framework.
The Department and its agencies generally provide staff catering and vending services via estates private finance initiative or facilities management contracts. These provisions are typically provided on a commercial basis and are not directly subsidised, and they operate in a very competitive environment.
For example, the Department's headquarter facilities management contract requires the contractor to comply with Government guidance on sustainable food and farming in the delivery of the contract. The contract also requires the contractor to take into account the Government's commitment to the public sector food procurement initiative, and directs them to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs websites. Thus the contractor is encouraged to consider higher level schemes for food standards and animal welfare.
Another example is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency's estates private finance initiative contract, which requires the service provider to comply with the sustainable food procurement initiative and other Government guidance on food and farming in delivery of the service.
As and when each of the Department's catering contracts needs to be renewed, consideration will be given to emerging higher level welfare standards when specifying replacement contracts.