Tender

Meridian Community Primary School _ East Sussex

MERIDIAN COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

14 Jan 2026 at 16:52

Summary of the contracting process

Meridian Community Primary School is leading a tender process for a high-quality catering service in collaboration with five other schools: Seaford Primary School, Willingdon Primary School, Cradle Hill Community Primary School, Motcombe School, and Denton Community Primary School. The contract is valued at £314,202 gross and falls under the 'school meals' industry category. The procurement method being used is an open procedure, allowing wide participation from interested suppliers. The deadline for tender submissions is set for 19th March 2026, with enquiries closing on 10th March 2026. The award is expected to be finalised by 1st August 2026, with the contract commencing immediately and potential extensions until July 2031. Each school reserves autonomy in appointing a provider, which could result in a single or multiple service providers, based on individual requirements.

This tender presents a lucrative opportunity for catering businesses, especially those with capabilities in delivering large-scale food services meeting standards of quality and nutritional value. Ideal contenders are those experienced in community engagements and prepared to support increased meal uptake and provide fresh, seasonal menus. SMEs and VCSEs are deemed suitable for this contract, aligning with efforts to promote diverse market participation. The focus on maintaining a trusted and collaborative partnership offers catering firms the chance to forge long-term relationships within the education sector, supporting student advocacy and delivering an enhanced dining experience for the schools involved.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Meridian Community Primary School _ East Sussex

Notice Description

Meridian Community Primary School is part of a six?school collaboration with Seaford Primary School, Willingdon Primary School, Cradle Hill Community Primary School, Motcombe School, and Denton Community Primary School, joining together to procure a high?quality catering service for their communities. Provider Capability All interested catering companies must, in the first instance, demonstrate the capacity, capability, and operational resilience to cater for all six schools within the collaboration. While the schools are undertaking a shared procurement process and timetable, each school will retain full autonomy and reserves the right to appoint the catering partner that best aligns with its individual needs, culture, and priorities. As a result, the outcome may be: * A single provider appointed across all six schools, or * Multiple providers, where individual schools select a bespoke catering partner. Shared Aspirations Across the collaboration, the schools share a unified ambition to secure a catering partner who will deliver: * Increased meal uptake through quality, appeal, and value * Fresh, nutritious, and seasonal food prepared with care * A trusted, transparent, and collaborative partnership * Strong pupil advocacy, ensuring children's voices shape the dining experience

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Maximum 2 extensions of 12 months per extension.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06060e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003251-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products


CPV Codes

15894210 - School meals

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£261,835 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£261,835 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Jan 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
19 Mar 20262 months to go
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
MERIDIAN COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
lnorman@meridian.e-sussex.sch.uk
Contact Phone
01273 584212

Buyer Location

Locality
PEACEHAVEN
Postcode
BN10 8BZ
Post Town
Brighton
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ22 East Sussex CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Lewes
Electoral Ward
Peacehaven North
Westminster Constituency
Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven

Further Information

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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