Tender

Cranmer Education Trust Framework Catering Tender 2025/26

RPJ3 GROUP

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

31 Oct 2025 at 10:32

Summary of the contracting process

The Cranmer Education Trust is conducting a selective procurement process through a competitive flexible procedure for a multi-supplier framework to provide catering services to its schools. Facilitated by RPJ3 Group, the tender targets caterers for up to three participants. The framework will initially cover four schools, with potential expansion to others. This procurement, listed under services in the school catering services category and valued at up to £4.8 million gross, operates in the North West region of the United Kingdom (UKD3). Key dates specify an expression of interest deadline on 25th November 2025, with selected bidding stages following a procurement-specific questionnaire. The planning stage ends with interviews by mid-April 2026, leading to a contract start in September 2026 for an initial term of three years, extendable for two additional years.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses with robust local infrastructure and the capacity to provide high-standard catering services. Companies with the ability to demonstrate a cost-effective and flexible service delivery that aligns with individual school needs are well-positioned for consideration. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to apply, as the framework demands an inclusive and competitive approach. The procurement's structured framework will also require participants to meet specific financial and qualitative criteria, ensuring that only well-suited businesses partake, thereby supporting growth and fostering strategic partnerships within the education sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Cranmer Education Trust Framework Catering Tender 2025/26

Notice Description

The Cranmer Education Trust are seeking to procure a number of providers for a multi-supplier framework for catering services. The main objective of this procurement exercise is to deliver the procurement of a framework that will enable the Trust to source catering services for its schools. There is initially 4 schools in this framework, however, other schools may call off later. It should be noted that it is not mandatory for schools to use this framework. Schools will only call off from this agreement if they have a requirement to do so. It is envisaged the number of contractors on the framework will be between 1 and 3 The provision of the service must demonstrate the best value approach and be flexible in its delivery and operation to ensure that the needs and ethos of individual schools are supported. This framework process is targeted to have a catering contract in place to commence in September 2026 for the initial direct award schools. Please note that this process covers all catering services within the Trust schools with full tender costings and proposals for the schools for a contract start in in September 2026 for the initial direct award schools. These details will be further explained in the ITT documents. The process will be through a competitive flexible procedure commencing with a participation stage to create a select bidder list following analysis of a PSQ document (within which the scoring criteria will be included). The nature of the contract demands a good local infrastructure to provide and maintain the level and standard of catering services and support required by the Trust. Labour resource/relief cover is very important. We have set a minimum Employer's (compulsory) liability insurance of 10,000,000 GBP). Following the analysis of PSQ's the selected bidders will be invited to attend site surveys and tender briefing initially planned for early February 2026. Tender response deadline is planned as early March 2026 and it is envisaged that interviews will take place in mid April 2026. The contract will be for a 3 +1 +1 period (5 years in total including the option to extend for 1 + 1years).

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Option to extend the contract for a further 1 + 1 years so a maximum of 5 years.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d7b1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069979-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
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
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Oct 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 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
RPJ3 GROUP
Contact Name
Neil Mayers
Contact Email
neil@rpj3group.co.uk
Contact Phone
+447810874152

Buyer Location

Locality
WIRRAL
Postcode
CH46 3SA
Post Town
Chester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD74 Wirral
Delivery Location
TLD3 Greater Manchester

Local Authority
Wirral
Electoral Ward
Leasowe and Moreton East
Westminster Constituency
Wallasey

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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