This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Jul 2026 at 14:50

Tender

22 Jan 2026 at 12:05

Summary of the contracting process

Oxlip Learning Partnership has recently completed the award stage of their catering services tender, titled "Oxlip Learning Partnership ~ Catering Tender". This procurement process, initiated on 22 January 2026, aims to provide catering services across up to five schools in the Suffolk region, including two secondary and three primary academies. The procurement method employed was an 'open' procedure, identified as a competitive flexible procedure. Key milestones include the award notice published on 2 July 2026, with the contract period set to start on 1 September 2026 and potentially extend until 31 August 2031. The contract, valued at £2.6 million gross, was awarded to Taylor Shaw as the supplier, marking a significant new phase in the purchasing of school catering services for Oxlip Learning Partnership. This tender process includes the possibility for renewal, as outlined in the documentation.

The Oxlip Learning Partnership catering tender represents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those experienced in school catering services to leverage growth by engaging over 1900 pupils daily. The focus is on innovative, health-oriented food services aligned with current high street and retail trends. Small and medium-sized enterprises are encouraged to participate, as demonstrated by a final stage bid from an SME. This tender could be particularly suitable for companies that excel in delivering first-time outsourcing solutions to enhance commercial opportunities and tackle associated risks. Suppliers aiming to expand their footprint in the education sector, especially those that can promote health and wellbeing through food in a competitive market, would find this contract beneficial for business growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Oxlip Learning Partnership ~ Catering Tender

Notice Description

The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for up to five schools (2 x Secondary and 3 x Primary) of the Oxlip Learning Partnership ( the trust). The Trust comprises two secondary academies (Copleston High School and Stowupland High School) and five primary academies of which 3 (Bacton Primary School, Cedars Park Primary School, Mendlesham Primary School) are potentially in scope for this project. At this present moment, the schools have differing approaches to catering service provision, Copleston High School is outsourced whereas the other four schools potentially in scope for this tender are currently self-delivering. Copleston High School is the key driver for this procurement exercise as it will be out of contract in Summer 2026 and needs to find an in-form, competent and confidant service provider capable of engaging its 1900 + pupils on a daily basis for its new contract term, whereas the self-delivered schools, if they participate will be curious as to a bidder's experience in taking schools to first time outsourcing and it's challenges and risks alongside the commercial opportunities that this could realise. The Trust is presenting this exciting opportunity to partner with a supplier who is able to deliver their vision of promoting health and wellbeing through food provision across the five schools. Current sales at Copleston are equivalent of PS520k pa. Current Turnover if all five schools become part of scope is expected to be just short of PS1m. It is thought that, with focus of resources and investment, there is significant growth potential through driving uptake in all of the self-operated schools. The client would like to see innovative delivery of emerging food trends that are seen on the high street and in retail outlets that pupils and their families frequent and therefore need to be reflected in the school dining rooms. The ITT will capture detailed specifications for each school against which bidders can present confident proposals. 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-060c19
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062424-2026
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
£2,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,600,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£2,600,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
24 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
15 Jun 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
OXLIP LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SUFFOLK
Postcode
IP4 5HD
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC

Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
St John's
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TAYLOR SHAW

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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