Tender

Kingfisher Schools Trust ~ Catering Tender

KINGFISHER SCHOOLS TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

01 Oct 2025 at 13:06

Summary of the contracting process

The Kingfisher Schools Trust based in Norfolk, United Kingdom, is initiating a procurement process to find a supplier for its catering services across seven schools in Suffolk and Norfolk. The process is currently at the tender stage, seeking bids to provide catering services by 1st April 2026, with a contract duration of three years plus potential extensions for additional two years. This tender falls under the industry category of school catering services, identified by CPV code 55524000. The procurement is being conducted using a Competitive Flexible Procedure as per the Procurement Regulations 2024, with submissions required by 2nd January 2026. The procurement method is open, and up to five suppliers will be shortlisted based on criteria applied transparently as per the tender documents.

This tender presents a robust opportunity for businesses specialising in catering services, particularly those experienced in school environments or high-street food trends. It offers significant growth potential, with a contract valued over £1 million and targeted resources anticipated to enhance uptake across the trust. Businesses with innovative catering solutions, focus on nutritional balance, and sustainable practices would be well-suited to compete for this contract. Moreover, companies with strong capabilities in managing and integrating catering services with school communities, especially in challenging and adaptive school settings, will find this opportunity lucrative. SMEs are encouraged to apply, and the selection process will factor in financial viability and quality equally, providing a balanced ground for diverse service providers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Kingfisher Schools Trust ~ Catering Tender

Notice Description

The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for seven schools (3 x Secondary and 4 x Primary) of The Kingfisher Schools trust. Kingfisher is a new trust providing direction, support and challenge to seven schools in Suffolk and Norfolk. They have a mission to provide exceptional education for our pupils. They seek to have a deep understanding of our local communities but to have ambitions for young people equal to those of the very best schools and academy trusts anywhere in England. The Trust is presenting this exciting opportunity to partner with a supplier who is able to deliver their vision of promoting health and wellbeing through food provision across the seven schools. Current Turnover is in excess of PS1m across the seven schools. It is thought that, with focus of resources and investment, there is significant growth potential through driving uptake in all schools. The client would like to see innovative delivery of emerging food trends that are seen on the high street and in retail outlets that pupils and their families frequent and therefore need to be reflected in the school dining rooms. The ITT will capture detailed specifications for each school against which bidders can present confident proposals. Whilst financial elements will be key elements within this process, the expectation of the Trust is for cost neutrality of the group catering model, allowing contractors in the ITT to develop service and commercial models that can focus on putting food quality and consistent service first whilst committing to sustaining nil cost services over the contract term. Bidders will note that the weighting for Finance in the main ITT is planned to be equal to the weighting for supply chain/food/menus. The key areas of focus for the successful service provider will include; -Fresh and innovative menus that are nutritionally balanced and appealing to the relevant age groups in terms of flavour, quality and presentation -Effective use of seasonal and if possible local produce -Efficient and consistent speed of service (whilst displaying effective checks and balances ref allergen/ dietary requirements) -Sustainable solutions for use of disposables and food packaging -Deploying optimal staffing levels to deliver the service with robust plans for covering absence across the estate -Catering staff integration with the school communities and support where applicable with curriculum activities -Identifying and potentially funding additions to existing offers to drive future sales and future proof trust kitchen assets The client will expect the successful supplier to address each of the above areas within their ITT bid and detail how they will deliver these requirements consistently. Aside from food and staff, bidders will need to consider what will be necessary to provide pupil experience in catering areas. With a start date of April 1st, 2026 - Contract length 3 +1+1 - mid Easter Holiday, bidders will need to demonstrate how they will manage the mobilisation/ remobilisation process in what is intended to be an adequate but relatively quick timeframe. The client is seeking a partner service provider that has the ability and appetite to work flexibly and with transparency to deliver an exceptional standard of service and to take on the development of a loyal and dedicated team. The contract on offer will be for an initial three year term, with two additional extension periods of one year provide for subject to mutual agreement of budget/ goals. This catering tender follows on from a recent incomplete process which suffered from procedural difficulties not giving the flexibility required to enable decision-making. This process shows the determination of the trust and the schools to redefine requirements and develop a successful partnership with a service provider demonstrating the right cultural fit as well as hunger and appetite for continuous improvement. Competitive Flexible Procedure This procurement is being conducted under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Regulations 2024. Following the initial selection stage, the Contracting Authority intends to invite a maximum of up to 5 suppliers to participate in the tender stage, based on the 5 highest scoring supplier responses to the additional questions set out in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire. Selection will be based on the criteria set out in the tender documents and will be applied in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. Suppliers must meet the minimum conditions of participation in order to progress to the tender stage. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Norfolk:-School-catering-services./24M6G6F36F To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/24M6G6F36F

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a5f4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061352-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
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
£1,050,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,050,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Oct 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Jan 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
KINGFISHER SCHOOLS TRUST
Contact Name
Tenders
Contact Email
tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Contact Phone
01276 673896

Buyer Location

Locality
NORFOLK
Postcode
NR14 6JD
Post Town
Norwich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH5 Norfolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH53 Breckland and South Norfolk
Delivery Location
TLH15 Norwich and East Norfolk

Local Authority
South Norfolk
Electoral Ward
Loddon & Chedgrave
Westminster Constituency
South Norfolk

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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