Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement - Outsourced Meal prep and Transported In Catering Service

MISSING

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 Mar 2025 at 21:12

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

ACE (Academies for Character & Excellence) is inviting contractors to participate in a tender for providing an Outsourced "Meal Preparation Delivered In" Catering Service for six schools in Somerset. The contract is currently in the planning stage, and a preliminary market engagement is scheduled, with the tender to be published on 4th April 2025. The tender involves delivering high-quality, efficient meal preparation and transportation services, with the engagement period concluding on the same date. Key dates include the contract start on 1st September 2025 and ending on 31st August 2026, with a potential extension until 31st August 2027. The procurement is overseen by PHP Law LLP in Totnes, United Kingdom, and spans the UKK23 region within the services category.

This tender provides significant growth opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in catering and transportation services with an ability to align with the Trust's ethos and service efficiency requirements. The opportunity suits small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) capable of delivering a streamlined service that minimises journey times and ensures compliance with food quality standards. The requirement includes managing the transfer (TUPE) of existing staff linked to meal transportation, providing management information, partnership working, and continuous improvement, especially for Free School Meals (FSM) pupils. Businesses adept in innovative solutions and effective delivery scheduling will be well-positioned to compete for this contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Preliminary Market Engagement - Outsourced Meal prep and Transported In Catering Service

Notice Description

The Trust is seeking a Contractor that will deliver an Outsourced "Meal Preparation Delivered In" Catering Service for this contract. There are 6 schools in Somerset. The current contract ends in August 2025 and the production kitchens currently preparing and serving the meals are part of another Trust and will no longer be available for a new contract. the Contractor shall: 1. offer a service that is aligned to the vision, value and ethos of the Trust who deliver 'excellence' in their own in-house catering service. 2. formulate a service delivery schedule that accounts for each site's geographical location, is streamlined, efficient and ensures journey times are below 30 mins. 3. deliver a high-quality service, ensuring food quality, selecting suitable menu choices that can be transported and served effectively whilst delivering value for money for schools, parents and pupils using the services. 4. provide management information and partnership working to improve take-up of meals, and continuous improvement particularly for FSM pupils. 5. be responsible for TUPE of existing staff who are associated with the transporting of the meals the schools are: School Address Ashill Primary School Road, Ashill, Ilminster, TA19 9ND Buckland St Mary Buckland St Mary, Chard, TA20 3SJ Hatch Beauchamp Station Road, Hatch Beauchamp, Taunton, TA3 6SQ Holy Trinity South Street, Taunton, TA1 3AF Stockland Primary Stockland, Honiton, EX14 9EF Winsham Primary Church Street, Winsham, Near Chard, TA20 4HU

Planning Information

The Trust Director of Operations Sam Ward is seeking potential solutions ahead of the catering service tender being published on the 4th April. The Trust are open to innovative solutions and options around splitting the service to the schools between different solutions or production kitchens. Please email tenders@phplaw.co.uk if you would like to participate in the preliminary market engagement by having a meeting with the Director of Opertions. All meetings will be minuted with any implications on our requirements or tender approach transparently updated. No prospective supplier would be put at a disadvantage.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04eecf
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010041-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55500000 - Canteen and catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Mar 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
4 Apr 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Aug 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MISSING
Additional Buyers

ACE (ACADEMIES FOR CHARACTER & EXCELLENCE)

PHP LAW LLP

Contact Name
Josie Medforth, Sam Ward
Contact Email
josie.medforth@phplaw.co.uk, sam.ward@acexcellence.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1626 242342, +44 7857426127

Buyer Location

Locality
TOTNES
Postcode
N/A
Post Town
Torquay
Country
Not specified
Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
TLK23 Somerset CC
Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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