Tender

Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust Catering Framework Tender 2026

RPJ3 GROUP

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

14 Jan 2026 at 10:16

Summary of the contracting process

The RPJ3 Group, based in Wirral, UK, is managing a tender process titled "Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust Catering Framework Tender 2026" for the procurement of school catering services. This initiative targets the educational sector and covers an initial cohort of 7-10 schools under the Trust, with the potential for more schools to join later. The estimated gross value of the contract is £6,000,000, with a selective procurement approach through a competitive flexible procedure. The schedule includes a participation stage, which kickstarts with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) for interested suppliers. Key dates include an expression of interest deadline set for 9th February 2026, site surveys and briefings in early March, tender response submission by early April, with interviews planned for May, and a contract commencement in August 2026. The total contract period could extend up to five years, factoring in possible extensions.

This procurement offers notable opportunities for businesses specialising in school catering services, with an emphasis on structured service delivery and local infrastructure support. The flexible procedure allows suppliers to participate through a PSQ, enabling even Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with robust catering frameworks to vie for selection. The contract prioritises both financial and qualitative criteria, offering a balanced opportunity for cost-effective yet high-quality service providers to secure a position on the framework. Furthermore, the possibility of additional schools joining the framework presents ongoing business growth potential over the contract's tenure, ensuring sustained engagements for successful bidders.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust Catering Framework Tender 2026

Notice Description

The Oak Trees Multi Academy 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 are initially 7-10 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 August 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 August 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 March 2026. Tender response deadline is planned as early April 2026 and it is envisaged that interviews will take place in early May 2026. The contract will be for a 3 +1 +1 period (5 years in total including the option to extend for 1 + 1years after the initial 3 year term).

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract is for 3 years with the option to extend for a further 1 +1 years therefore 5 years in total

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06055e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002967-2026
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
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jan 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 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
+441516780193

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
TLD74 Wirral

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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