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Discovery MAT ~ Catering Tender

Discovery MAT ~ Catering Tender

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

07 Aug 2026 at 11:11

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

13 Mar 2026 at 10:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Discovery Multi Academy Trust is procuring comprehensive catering services for three primary schools in Plymouth: Beechwood Primary Academy, Oakwood Primary Academy and Weston Mill Community Primary Academy. The requirement covers all catering delivered within the schools, including hospitality and free-issue services. The Trust wants wholesome, healthy menus using fresh, locally sourced South West produce, supporting the local economy. The work is school catering services (CPV 55524000), delivered across the three Plymouth sites. The Trust is the principal contracting authority, while each school retains an individual budget for performance analysis and reconciliation. Services are currently outsourced and include support for varying requirements across multiple primary schools.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through an open procedure. Four bids reached the final stage, including one from an SME. The sole lot was evaluated on quality at 70% and price at 30%, and was suitable for SMEs. The contract was awarded to abm Catering Ltd on 16 June 2026 for £690,000 gross. The planned contract period is 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029, with two possible 12-month extensions by mutual consent, giving a maximum end date of 31 July 2031. The award’s standstill period ends on 18 August 2026, with contract signature scheduled for 19 August 2026. The award record lists a service start date of 20 August 2026.

This award demonstrates demand for a substantial, multi-site primary-school catering operation in Plymouth, requiring consistent delivery across three academies with different operational needs. A credible future competitor would need proven experience supporting multiple primary schools, strong operational coverage in the South West and the flexibility to provide effective contract management and on-site support. The requirement favours operators able to deliver fresh, healthy menus using local produce while managing hospitality and free-issue services. Suppliers should also be prepared to take on an outsourced workforce under TUPE, support employees covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme and obtain Admitted Body Status where required. Experience operating on a guaranteed-performance basis, managing individual school budgets and sharing budget betterment would also be relevant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Discovery MAT ~ Catering Tender

Notice Description

The successful contractor will be required to provide catering services for the following three Primary Schools within Discovery Multi Academy Trust (MAT): 1. Beechwood Primary Academy, 31 Rockfield Avenue, Plymouth, PL6 6DX 2. Oakwood Primary Academy, Pendeen Crescent, Southway, Plymouth, PL6 6QS 3. Weston Mill Community Primary Academy, Ferndale Road, Plymouth, PL2 2EL Trust website: https://discoverymat.co.uk/ The contract covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the Schools, which is inclusive of all hospitality and free issue requirements. The duration of the contract being offered is for an initial three-year period commencing on 01 August 2026, with the potential to then extend for a further two 12-month periods. This extension will be granted by mutual consent and on the same terms and conditions as the original contract without the right to further extend beyond the full five years. The contract being offered within this tender will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with an expected profit share of any betterment to the agreed budget. While the Trust will be the principal contracting authority, each School will have its own individual budget for performance analysis and reconciliation. The Trust is seeking a suitably experienced contractor who is able to evidence working with multiple Primary Schools with varying requirements. The successful contractor will already have, or need to develop, a strong operational base within the South West, thus allowing for both adequate contract support and operational flexibility that is to be delivered to support the contract as and when needed moving forwards into this contract term. The services across the Schools are currently outsourced, and TUPE is expected to apply. It is anticipated that a number of the current employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and, in this instance, the successful contractor will be expected to gain Admitted Body Status (ABS) in order to continue contributing to the scheme. The Trust wishes to offer wholesome, healthy eating options within the menus which should be based upon the use of fresh, local produce that is abundant throughout the South West to support the local economy. Please see PSQ document for more information.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 1+1 Please see PSQ Document for more information.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066970
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075190-2026
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
Open 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
£690,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£690,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£690,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
24 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Jun 20263 months ago
Contract Period
20 Aug 2026 - 31 Jul 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Discovery MAT ~ Catering Tender
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PLYMOUTH
Postcode
PL6 6DX
Postcode Area
Plymouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK41 Plymouth
Delivery Location
TLK41 Plymouth
Local Authority
Plymouth
Electoral Ward
Southway
Westminster Constituency
Plymouth Moor View

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

abm catering limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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