Tender

Forward Education Trust ~ Catering Tender

FORWARD EDUCATION TRUST ~ CATERING TENDER

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

03 Nov 2025 at 13:01

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Forward Education Trust is seeking suppliers for a catering tender to serve six schools within its network based in Birmingham, United Kingdom. This procurement, currently at the tender stage, is categorised under school catering services and invites suppliers to provide a range of catering solutions tailored to the diverse dietary needs of approximately 800 students. The procurement process is an open competitive flexible procedure with a contract value estimated at approximately £1,305,000. Key dates for interested parties include an enquiry period ending on 5th December 2025, submission deadline on 27th February 2026, and the award decision will be made by 4th May 2026. The contract is planned to commence on 1st September 2026 for three years, with potential extensions of 1+1 years.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses with expertise in catering services, specifically those adept at managing the nutritional requirements of Special Educational Needs (SEN) students. Companies with a robust nutrition team capable of providing for a range of dietary needs, including textured, blended, and syringe-fed diets, are particularly well-suited to compete. The open procurement method invites small and medium-sized enterprises, and the quality-to-cost weight ratio of 70:30 will favour businesses able to deliver high standards of service while effectively managing costs. Engaging in this contract could enhance business growth by solidifying reputation and expanding service capabilities within the educational sector.

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Notice Information

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. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Birmingham:-School-catering-services./79D539P288 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/79D539P288

Lot Information

Lot 1

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

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d8ed
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070434-2025
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
£1,305,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,305,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 Feb 20263 days to go
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
FORWARD EDUCATION TRUST ~ CATERING TENDER
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Contact Phone
01276 673896

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

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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