Tender

Sir Thomas Fremantle School - Catering Tender

SIR THOMAS FREMANTLE SCHOOL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

28 Jan 2026 at 12:05

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for providing catering services at Sir Thomas Fremantle School, a sub-central government public authority located in Buckinghamshire, is currently in the tender stage. The tender, titled "Sir Thomas Fremantle School - Catering Tender," aims to procure high-quality catering services for the school's 683 pupils and 102 staff members, focusing on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The procurement follows a Competitive Flexible Procedure, open to a range of businesses, and necessitates an initial submission by 6th March 2026, with the award decision expected by 22nd June 2026. The contract will run from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2029, with a potential extension until 31st August 2031, and is valued at £1,029,210 over five years.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies with a history of providing innovative catering solutions to educational institutions. Businesses best suited to this tender would possess a minimum annual turnover of £1 million and adequate insurance coverage, as the school requires a well-managed service that aligns with its "family ethos." The evaluation criteria weigh quality at 65% and price at 35%, highlighting the emphasis on a service-driven, value-adding partnership. The tender is designed to support SMEs and VCSEs, encouraging entities capable of working closely with the school to enhance the dining experience and community engagement. Potential bidders must navigate through a two-stage selection process, promoting innovative proposals to stand out in the competitive environment.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Sir Thomas Fremantle School - Catering Tender

Notice Description

STFS is a welcoming and caring school with a strong sense of community and ambition. We pride ourselves on delivering an exceptional experience for our students, combining high standards of academic rigour with outstanding pastoral care. Our vibrant school environment is built on respect, aspiration, and a commitment to excellence. Students at STFS benefit from highly qualified and dedicated staff who create a positive and engaging atmosphere for learning. We foster strong relationships and ensure every student feels valued and motivated to succeed. Our facilities and resources support a dynamic school life, with a wide range of activities and events that bring our community together. We are on track to reach full capacity in the 2026-27 school year, reflecting our growing reputation and demand. We are committed to providing an environment where learners thrive and teachers inspire. Further information regarding the School can be obtained here: https://www.sirthomasfremantle.org/ Tender information: The successful tenderer will be required to provide excellent catering services to Sir Thomas Fremantle School, which has 683 pupils and 102 teaching and support staff. The contract term being tendered is for three years, 1st Sept 2026 - 31st August 2029. There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 31st August 2031. The contract offers an excellent opportunity to review and propose enhancements to the current catering services at the School. This includes but is not limited to; breakfast, morning break, lunchtime over the academic year, plus hospitality services upon request. The school is keen to secure a high quality catering service including fresh locally sourced ingredients prepared on site, with a menu design that is flexible to suit the requirements of the school's specific students. The school is proud of its 'family ethos' and expects both a tightly managed service and a management style delivered by the successful contractor that supports, encourages and develops the catering staff. The school is not obliged to accept the lowest price submitted for this tender, rather the school is keen to secure 'best value' from this contract and to deliver 'best value' to its students. Innovative and creative ideas as to how the services can be developed and value added, will be welcomed. The school seeks a contractor that is keen to work in partnership and who will deliver to its highest abilities, at all times. Competitive Flexible Procedure This procurement will be run under the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will follow a two stage approach, with stage 1 being the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Here a minimum of 5 candidates (or less, in the event less than 5 meet the minimum criteria) and a maximum of 10 candidates, will progress to stage 2. Any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement and a minimum score of 60% must be achieved. Selected tenderers will then be invited to stage 2, the Invitation To Tender (ITT). Here, the evaluation of tender response will be set as 35% price and 65% quality. Value of contract: The annual value of the current contract is PS205,842 (the total sales including fsm, in the last contract year) Therefore the value of this contract is PS1,029,210 (above total x 5 as this contract is for a maximum of 5 years) The contract shall be a guaranteed performance contract with any hospitality requirements billed separately. The tender process will be run under a two stage Competitive Flexible procedure. Additional requirements and information: *The school has a minimum requirement for a contractor's employers' liability and public liability insurances of PS5 million *The minimum annual turnover that your company must have achieved to be considered for this opportunity is PS1 million *There are not incumbent catering staff currently within the Local Government Pension Scheme *The catering services are currently contracted to Aspens For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Buckinghamshire:-School-catering-services./E58F92RKUW To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/E58F92RKUW

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 31st August 2031.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0610c2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007537-2026
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, VCSE
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
£1,029,210 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,029,210 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
6 Mar 20264 weeks 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
SIR THOMAS FREMANTLE SCHOOL
Additional Buyers

RIVA PARTNERSHIP LTD

Contact Name
Rachel OGrady
Contact Email
tenders@rivapartnership.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1252 977017

Buyer Location

Locality
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Postcode
MK18 3GH
Post Town
Milton Keynes
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ25 West Surrey
Delivery Location
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

Local Authority
Waverley
Electoral Ward
Farnham Moor Park
Westminster Constituency
Farnham and Bordon

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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