Award

Invitation to Tender (Framework Agreement) to Manage Catering Services at Northern Star Academies Trust

NORTHERN STAR ACADEMIES TRUST

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

21 Jul 2025 at 11:32

Tender

28 Apr 2025 at 10:05

Summary of the contracting process

The Northern Star Academies Trust, a public body situated in Skipton, United Kingdom, has concluded an open procurement procedure for managing catering services across its network of 15 schools in North Yorkshire. The procurement process culminated in the award phase on 21 July 2025, with Aspens Services Limited being chosen as the supplier. The initiative was designed as a framework agreement for school catering services, classified under CPV code 55524000, focusing on primary and secondary school meals. The contract was signed on 21 July 2025, confirming the provision of inclusive and nutritious meal options tailored to diverse student demographics. The process, initially active from 28 April 2025, followed an open procedure, ensuring competitive bidding with qualitative and cost-effective evaluation criteria.

This tender opens avenues for businesses specialising in school catering services, particularly those focused on innovative and customer-centric solutions, to expand their reach within the educational sector. Firms adept at providing flexible menus, engaging food education initiatives, and utilising seasonal and locally sourced produce will find strategic growth opportunities. Moreover, businesses equipped with robust management capabilities for delivering high-quality services and engaging proactively with the school trust will be well-suited to compete. The contract also emphasizes social value and community engagement, positioning businesses with such ethos in a favourable stance for future competitive tenders. The potential for two optional 12-month extensions further enhances the opportunity for sustained business development.

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Notice Title

Invitation to Tender (Framework Agreement) to Manage Catering Services at Northern Star Academies Trust

Notice Description

Provision of catering service for a Trust of 15 Schools including 2 Secondaries, across North Yorkshire.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Northern Star Academies Trust wish to be at the forefront of school catering and as such require a modern, branded offer that reflects the leading trends in the industry whilst adapting to a diverse demographic of customers. At this time, the Trust's wish is to commence a catering contract, with a partner who shares their vision for a customer-focused service that attracts the maximum number of students. The meals that are to be provided must be appealing to customers, inclusive, imaginative, provide excellent value for money and be nutritionally balanced to encourage all students to make an educated choice. The School's objectives for the new contract are as follows:- * A catering service that is professionally managed and works in partnership with Business & Operations Leadership. * A strong Contractor & Group/Area Manager who will develop and lead the team to deliver exceptional customer service, a consistently high-quality food offer and spend a substantial amount of time on site at the outset to undertake this. * A Contractor who is proactive in their relationship management with the School/Trust. * Flexible menus to fit local demographics * Food education initiatives, pupil engagement and improved social dining experience * Seasonal, locally sourced produce prioritised. * Food and drinks that look appetising and are attractively presented. * A service that is professionally merchandised and marketed with discretion and to the mutual benefit of the Trust and the Contractor. * Natasha's Law (2021): Full allergen labelling on all pre-packed food. * HMC Halal Compliance where required. * To work with Schools to develop a social dining ethos leading to a higher number of students and staff using the facilities. * A Contractor that adopts a flexible and proactive approach to all Trust activities, specifically involving student engagement at Primary & Secondary level within food education and skills development. A Contractor that is dedicated to supporting our local communities through Social Value enterprise and engagement activities. * A Contractor that operates using the optimum level of staffing.

Options: 2x optional extensions of 12 months each

Renewal: 2x 1 year optional extensions

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05082e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041615-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

15894210 - School meals

55524000 - School 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
21 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
30 May 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN STAR ACADEMIES TRUST
Contact Name
Louise Bullman
Contact Email
ls@redboxcs.com
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SKIPTON
Postcode
BD23 1QN
Post Town
Bradford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE22 North Yorkshire
Delivery Location
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLE2 North Yorkshire

Local Authority
North Yorkshire
Electoral Ward
Skipton North & Embsay-with-Eastby
Westminster Constituency
Skipton and Ripon

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ASPENS SERVICES

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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