Forward Education Trust ~ Catering Tender

FORWARD EDUCATION TRUST ~ CATERING TENDER

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

14 May 2026 at 13:44

Tender

03 Nov 2025 at 13:01

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "Forward Education Trust ~ Catering Tender" involves providing catering services to six schools under the Forward Education Trust in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Managed by the Forward Education Trust, a sub-central government public authority, the contract was awarded to ABM Catering Limited on 28th April 2026. This competitive flexible procedure allowed for open submissions, and the contract is valued at approximately £1,305,000. The catering services required are specialised, addressing diverse dietary needs for 800 students across the schools. The contract spans from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2029, with potential extensions of 1+1 years.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses with expertise in school catering services, especially those adept at handling a variety of dietary requirements. Companies that can ensure comprehensive nutritional solutions tailored to complex needs will find this project well-suited to their capabilities. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in particular, could benefit by expanding or solidifying their presence in a niche market segment such as educational institution catering. Given the high value and profile of this contract, it would serve as an excellent platform for both established and emerging catering services looking to expand their footprint in the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Forward Education Trust ~ Catering Tender

Notice Description

The successful Supplier will be required to provide Catering services for Six schools across Forward Education Trust {SEN} ETHOS,VISION AND VALUES: https://fet.ac/about-us/ethos-vision-and-values/ A welcome from Simon Dilkes, Chief Executive Officer of Forward Education Trust. Our aim is to create a cohesive team of Trust Central staff supporting school staff teams, working together, fiercely loyal to each other. Our Trust Extended Leaders, Cavelle, Mandy and Karen bring their experience, expertise and knowledge as added value to our trust capacity. We are committed to developing local school identity and ethos, to celebrating success and adopting strategies for school improvement that build on and enhance local reputation, raise standards and respond to the needs and aspirations of those we serve - our children and their families. Our Trust values remain unchanged, but we want to articulate them better and give unequivocal evidence that people can see those values in the decisions we make and the things that we do every single day. We want to empower people to make the right decisions and to be creative in the way that we approach the education and care of our children. Mutual respect must pervade all our relationships and together our staff will learn, practice and collaborate - a sense of team will identify what type of organisation we are and how we nurture our talent, for the benefit of our young people. At all times, FET will be a safe place for our children, because our staff will know that this is their top priority. I am excited about the challenges ahead. Whether you are a parent or carer, someone who wants to work for us or with us, or a school looking to join a Trust that can enhance the education your children receive, I would welcome the chance to tell you about the work of Forward Education Trust, so please do get in touch. The Trust's purpose is to enhance, maximise and exceed expectations for young people across the Forward Education Trust and beyond. The commitment to social care for every student is paramount today, tomorrow and into the future. The Trust strives to deliver the best educational message in their care which includes catering provision that aligns with the Trust's ethos. The Trust leadership team, Head Teachers and support network care deeply for every student and their future education. This vision should extend to the catering provision at each school with the successful contractor committed to making a positive impact. Currently, with six schools in the project, 800 students with diverse eating habits from textured, blended and syringe-fed diets. The contractor will need to give full reassurances that they are fully capable with a nutrition team that can support no matter the complex needs of many or costs that out way the benefit to dining every day. One of six schools are currently delivering a delivered in hot services {DIH} from a Trust school, however, financial and commercial offering would be looked at to support long term solutions, additionally the contract ben offered is for three years with an option to extend for 1+1 in agreement. Contract value: Circa, PS261,000 Please see PSQ Document for more information.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 1+1 Please see PSQ Document for more information.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d8ed
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044426-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,305,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,305,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,305,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Apr 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FORWARD EDUCATION TRUST ~ CATERING TENDER
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B33 9UH
Post Town
Birmingham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG31 Birmingham

Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Glebe Farm & Tile Cross
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ABM CATERING

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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