This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Jul 2026 at 13:54

Tender

30 Mar 2026 at 14:25

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "South West Essex Community Education Trust ~ Catering Tender" involves the South West Essex Community Education Trust seeking service providers for catering services at their educational facilities. The procurement is being conducted under a competitive flexible procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The contract was awarded to Aspens Services Ltd for a gross amount of £1,375,000, with the contract running from 1st August 2026 to 31st July 2029 and an optional extension until 31st July 2031. This opportunity arose following the withdrawal of the Local Authority Catering service, with key operational locations including the three primary schools within the trust situated in Essex. The procurement reached the award stage on 2nd July 2026, with the standstill period concluding on 14th July 2026.

This tender provides significant opportunities for business growth, particularly for those operating in the school catering services industry. The procurement focuses on delivering innovative and bespoke catering solutions to enhance staple primary menu items, hence businesses with a creative approach to food services and experience in educational settings are well-suited to participate. With current catering sales revenue standing at approximately £275,000 per annum, there is ample room for organisations that can drive sales, increase customer uptake, and manage overheads effectively. The provisions for TUPW and LGPS membership further highlight the commitment to staff welfare, making it an attractive opportunity for companies prioritising employee benefits and welfare. This dynamic environment is ideal for firms that are adaptable and capable of delivering high-quality, consistent service across multiple locations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

South West Essex Community Education Trust ~ Catering Tender

Notice Description

Please note that this PSQ is running concurrently alongside the ITT. You will need to register separately for both the PSQ and the ITT. If you have any questions around the PSQ or the ITT please use the message centre feature in the ITT section of LTMS. Please note that this PSQ is running concurrently alongside the ITT. You will need to register separately for both the PSQ and the ITT. If you have any questions around the PSQ or the ITT please use the message centre feature in the ITT section of LTMS. The successful Supplier will be required to provide cleaning services for South West Essex Community Education Trust. This procurement is being conducted under a concurrent competitive flexible procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Suppliers must meet the minimum conditions of participation in the PSQ in order to progress to having their tenders scored. Sales value is currently PS275,000 per annum (see ITT data pack) SWECET formed in 2015 when a group of like-minded schools came together to form the South West Essex Community Education Trust. They were united in the belief that every young person needs and deserves an education that will maximise their future life chances and that this could be better achieved together. The founding schools and those schools that have joined since are all united by shared values and beliefs, but this is where the similarities end. We encourage each other to remain unique places of learning. We believe our schools' differences are an asset, allowing for creative thinking and sharing of best practice, raising standards across the Trust and providing exciting opportunities for our students. This opportunity has come to market after the recent withdrawal of the Local Authority Catering service, therefore the expectation will be that TUPW will apply and LGPS membership will be a feature of most employee's contract terms. The schools have consistent and dedicated teams performing the services currently. In scope for this project are the three primary schools in the Trust; Deneholm Primary School Stifford Clays Primary School Chadwell St Mary Primary School Current catering sales revenue is around PS275k per annum The Client would like to see innovative delivery of staple primary menu items, enhanced where appropriate with innovation and interest. There is a need to maximise sales and uptake to contribute against overheads - this can be achieved by offering a dynamic and bespoke food offering across all of the schools. Please see PSQ Document for more information

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 3+2 Please see PSQ Document for more information.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06780e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062346-2026
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
£1,375,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,375,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,375,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
1 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Jun 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 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
SOUTH WEST ESSEX COMMUNITY EDUCATION 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
ESSEX
Postcode
RM16 2QH
Post Town
Romford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH32 Thurrock
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Thurrock
Electoral Ward
Little Thurrock Blackshots
Westminster Constituency
Thurrock

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ASPENS SERVICES

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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