Dartford Grammar School For Boys ~ Catering Tender

DARTFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

01 Jun 2026 at 08:10

Tender

05 Dec 2025 at 12:05

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for Dartford Grammar School For Boys' catering services, located in Dartford, United Kingdom, is now at the award stage. This process relates to a tender titled "Dartford Grammar School For Boys ~ Catering Tender," focusing on providing innovative catering solutions for school students and staff. The procurement, classified in the school catering services industry (CPV: 55524000), follows an open competitive method and was initiated with a tender notice on 5th December 2025. The awarded contract to Innovate Services Ltd is scheduled to commence on 1st September 2026, running for an initial three years, with a potential two-year extension, and amounts to a £3,230,110 gross value. Key procurement milestones included an enquiry period ending on 2nd January 2026 and a tender submission deadline on 6th March 2026.

The catering tender offers significant opportunities for businesses within the food services industry, particularly those capable of delivering a range of exciting and innovative food concepts tailored to diverse dietary needs. Suitable contenders are likely to be organisations that can bring fresh culinary ideas and operational efficiency to a school environment. With 1,544 students and 164 teaching and support staff at Dartford Grammar School For Boys, this contract presents a substantial business opportunity to showcase exemplary catering solutions while securing a steady income stream over the contract period. Additionally, the competitive tender procedure emphasises quality and innovation, making it a favourable project for businesses focused on enhancing their reputation and service offerings in educational settings.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Dartford Grammar School For Boys ~ Catering Tender

Notice Description

Dartford Grammar School was founded in 1576 and is one of the oldest schools in England. For nearly 450 years, Dartford Grammar School has enabled young people from Dartford and its surrounding area to achieve great things. Judged outstanding in every Ofsted inspection, and The Sunday Times State School of the Year in the South East (24/2025), Dartford Grammar School provides a broad, balanced international education, following the principles of the International Baccalaureate both in Key Stage 3 and the Sixth Form. The tender project is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities for the 1544 students on roll and 164 teaching and support staff, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The School would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 01/09/2026 to 31/08/2029 and will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the School a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with Dartford Grammar School for the duration of this contract. The School year is based on a calendar of 195 days. Between Five to Seven days are to be used for staff professional development which means that School will be open to receive students for a minimum of 187/190 days. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the School, which currently includes morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Free School meals and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost. Whilst the School prioritises value for money as a key objective of the Competitive Tender Process, the Governing body is not obliged to accept the lowest price. Please see PSQ Document for more information

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Please be advised that this contract will be let on a 3 + 2 years basis

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ef90
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051170-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services


CPV Codes

55524000 - School catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,230,110 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,230,110 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£3,230,110 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Jun 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
6 Mar 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 May 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
DARTFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL FOR BOYS
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DARTFORD
Postcode
DA1 2HW
Post Town
Dartford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ43 Kent Thames Gateway
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent

Local Authority
Dartford
Electoral Ward
West Hill
Westminster Constituency
Dartford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

INNOVATE SERVICES

Further Information

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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