Tender

Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT) Framework Catering Tender 2026

RPJ3 GROUP ON BEHALF OF FYLDE COAST ACADEMY TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Mar 2026 at 10:27

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process conducted by RPJ3 Group on behalf of Fylde Coast Academy Trust is aimed at establishing a multi-supplier framework for catering services, specifically targeting school environments. This opportunity is classified under the "School catering services" industry category and involves services in the UK, particularly around the region UKD4. The procurement stage is presently active and follows a competitive flexible procedure. The tender is structured to initiate in November 2026 with an initial framework for four schools, and it allows for the addition of more schools over time. Interested suppliers are expected to complete a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), with the tender response deadline set for late May 2026 and interviews planned for mid-June 2026. The overall contract value is estimated at £5,000,000, extending up to five years with potential renewals.

This tender presents significant opportunities for catering businesses looking to establish a presence or expand within the educational sector. With an estimated contract value of £5,000,000 and a commitment to select between one to three contractors, businesses offering school catering services with a robust local infrastructure stand well-suited to compete. The framework agreement allows for new schools to join under competitive terms, ensuring prolonged potential for business growth. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in particular may find this tender ideal, provided they meet economic and technical criteria. The combination of financial and qualitative evaluation at various stages, including PSQ evaluation, ensures that successful bidders demonstrate both capability and cost-efficiency in providing flexible, value-driven services.

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Notice Title

Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT) Framework Catering Tender 2026

Notice Description

The Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT) 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 4 schools in this framework, however, other schools may call off later. It should be noted that it is not mandatory for Trust 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 November 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 November 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 late April 2026. Tender response deadline is planned as late May 2026 and it is envisaged that interviews will take place in mid June 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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065f28
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018276-2026
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
2 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
RPJ3 GROUP ON BEHALF OF FYLDE COAST ACADEMY TRUST
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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
TLD4 Lancashire

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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