Tender

The Equa Mead Trust ~ Catering Tender

THE EQUA MEAD TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

31 Jan 2025 at 14:05

Summary of the contracting process

The Equa Mead Trust has initiated a tender process for the provision of school catering services, classified under CPV code 55524000. The tender, titled "The Equa Mead Trust ~ Catering Tender," focuses on the services industry category and spans the Trowbridge and Devizes areas in Wiltshire, UK. The procurement stage is currently active, with the tender submission deadline set for 7th March 2025, and the contract performance period from 1st September 2025 to 31st August 2028. The trust, established in 2019, has grown to include 19 schools, with three more expected to join by September 2025, boosting the total to 22 schools. The procurement method is a restricted procedure, with a selective process for tenderers. The contract is valued at £3,033,060 GBP and will function as a Guaranteed Performance Contract.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in catering services, especially those capable of providing innovative, healthy, and locally sourced food options. SMEs are encouraged to participate as the contract seeks to appoint a contractor who can offer a diverse range of food concepts catering to various student dietary needs. Businesses that can demonstrate their ability to align with the trust's values, offer inward capital investment for facility improvements, and support work experience and apprenticeship schemes are well-suited to compete. The contract prioritises value for money but does not necessarily accept the lowest bid, focusing instead on quality and innovation in service delivery. Furthermore, the successful contractor must guarantee a cost/return per annum and may extend the contract for an additional two years upon successful performance.

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Notice Title

The Equa Mead Trust ~ Catering Tender

Notice Description

EQUA Mead Learning Trust is a Multi Academy Trust based around the Trowbridge and Devizes areas in Wiltshire. The trust started in 2019 and has now increased in size to 19 Schools, consisting of 17 Primary and 2 Secondary schools. In addition, three more additional schools are currently in the process of joining and are likely to convert in September 2025, taking the to 22 schools.

Lot Information

Lot 1

EQUA Mead Learning Trust is a Multi Academy Trust based around the Trowbridge and Devizes areas in Wiltshire. The trust started in 2019 and has now increased in size to 19 Schools, consisting of 17 Primary and 2 Secondary schools. In addition, three more additional schools are currently in the process of joining and are likely to convert in September 2025, taking the to 22 schools. The tender project is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities, initially for the two secondary schools, Lavington and The John of Gaunt along with one primary school St Nicholas in Bromham who between them have will have approximately 2350 students and 275 teaching and support staff as at 1 September 2025, one further primary school will join in 2026 when their current contract ends and further joiners from the trust will likely follow. A focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of student tastes and dietary requirements is important. The trust would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. Initially the contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028 and will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the school a guaranteed return/cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the trust for the duration of this contract. The School year is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five days are to be used for staff professional development which means that School will be open to receive students for the legal minimum of 190 days. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the School, which currently includes morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Within the 195 days, the Trust will require hospitality for various networks, meetings and events that it hosts. We are also keen for the contractor to implement where required a breakfast and after school option. Free School meals and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost. Whilst the School prioritises value for money as a key objective of the Competitive Tender Process, the Trustees are not obliged to accept the lowest price. The trust expects the successful contractor to enable the continued development of catering through the provision of an innovative, healthy food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients being prepared on the trust sites. The School expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Keeping Children Safe in Education. The School believes that success should be celebrated and that pupils should enjoy their time at school; if lessons are stimulating and challenging then students will love learning. Much time therefore, is spent reviewing and planning schemes of work to ensure that they are differentiated to meet the needs of all students. As a result, the trust Schools are very enthusiastic regarding work experience and apprenticeship proposals and would welcome the input of the successful Contractor. As a trust who are continually seeking ways to improve and develop the ethos and environment for students and staff, to give them the facilities they deserve and need to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, any consideration regarding inward capital investment as part of the Contractor's tender submission would be welcomed. The trust would wish for the Contractor to look at making this investment within the existing dining areas. Please be advised that this contract will be let on a 3 + 2 years basis. See SQ Document for more information.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04da99
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003293-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,033,060 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,033,060 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Jan 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
7 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2030 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE EQUA MEAD TRUST
Additional Buyers

BELLEFIELD PRIMARY AND NURSERY SCHOOL

LAVINGTON SCHOOL

ST NICHOLAS C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL

THE JOHN OF GAUNT SCHOOL

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1276673880

Buyer Location

Locality
DEVIZES
Postcode
SN10 4EB
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
TLK1 Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area

Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Trowbridge Central
Westminster Constituency
South West Wiltshire

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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