Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust - Catering Tender

Founded in 2017 our Trust consists of nine primary schools, four secondary schools and one all through school. Our schools each have their own strengths and character, and together make up the Stowe Valley family, working collaboratively to provide the very best education and opportunities for our pupils. We currently employ 1100 staff and educate over 9000 children across our schools throughout Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

Further information regarding the Trust can be obtained here: https://www.stowevalleymat.com/

Tender information:

The successful tenderer will be required to provide excellent catering services to all schools within the Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust. The contract will be awarded to one catering provider.

The contract term being tendered is for three years, with some schools starting on 1st August 2027 and some on 1st Sept 2027 (see schedule below), with a single contract end date of 31st July 2030. There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 31st July 2032.

School name - Contract start date

Bilton School - 1st August 2027

Bishops Itchington - 1st August 2027

Byfield School - 1st August 2027

Coten End - 1st September 2027

Kineton High School - 1st August 2027

Myton Gardens - 1st August 2027

Myton School - 1st September 2027

Oakley School - 1st August 2027

Rokeby Primary - 1st August 2027

Southam College - 1st August 2027

Southam Primary - 1st August 2027

Stockton Primary - 1st August 2027

Temple Herdewyke - 1st August 2027

Hillmorton Primary - 1st September 2027

The contract offers an excellent opportunity to review and propose enhancements to the current catering services. This includes but is not limited to; breakfast, morning break, lunchtime and after school services, over the academic year, plus hospitality services upon request. The Trust also includes a year round full time 0-school age nursery.

The Client is keen to secure a high quality catering service including fresh locally sourced ingredients prepared on site, with a menu design that is flexible to suit the requirements of the specific students. The Client is proud of their ‘family ethos’ and expects both a tightly managed service and a management style delivered by the successful contractor that supports, encourages and develops the catering staff.

In addition, the Client has identified the following key requirements: -

The provision of healthy, nutritious and age-appropriate meals and portions, including for the 0+ nursery setting. Here, the contractor must deliver meals in accordance with both the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework’ and the ‘early years foundation stage nutrition guidance’.

Robust arrangements for the management of allergens, special diets and food intolerances.

Transparent and accurate invoicing, supported by detailed and auditable financial information.

An effective management and governance structure, with clear communication protocols and regular contract performance reporting.

The Client is not obliged to accept the lowest price submitted for this tender, rather they are keen to secure ‘best value’ from this contract and to deliver ‘best value’ to the students. Innovative and creative ideas as to how the services can be developed and value added, will be welcomed. The Client seeks a contractor that is keen to work in partnership and who will deliver to its highest abilities, at all times.

Competitive Flexible Procedure

This procurement will be run under the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will follow a two stage approach, with stage 1 being the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Here a minimum of 5 candidates (or less, in the event less than 5 meet the minimum criteria) and a maximum of 10 candidates, will progress to stage 2. Any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement and a minimum score of 60% must be achieved.

Selected tenderers will then be invited to stage 2, the Invitation To Tender (ITT). Here, the evaluation of tender response will be set as 40% price and 60% quality.

Value of contract:

The annual value of the current contract is £2.6 million

Therefore the value of this contract is £13 million

The contract shall be a guaranteed performance contract with any hospitality requirements billed separately.

Additional requirements and information:

•The school has a minimum requirement for a contractor’s employers' liability and public liability insurances of £10 million

•The minimum annual turnover that your company must have achieved to be considered for this opportunity is £1 million

•There are incumbent catering staff currently within the Local Government Pension Scheme

•The catering services are currently contracted to Caterlink and AIP

•Please note this is a growing Trust and any other schools that may join the Trust during the tenure of this new catering contract may, at the Trust’s discretion, be added to this contract.

•Please note that the successful tenderer will be required to pay the RIVA tender fee for this project directly to RIVA, upon their contract award.

•The client’s preference is to appoint a single catering provider across all schools within the Trust. However, the Client reserves the right to appoint per school, and reserves the right not to appoint for any or all schools, in conclusion of this project.

For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at:

https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Southam:-School-catering-services./85HZ89CDEX

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:

https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/85HZ89CDEX