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The True Learning Partnership Framework Catering Tender 2026/27

RPJ3 Group

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

04 Sep 2026 at 12:05

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

RPJ3 Group is procuring a multi-supplier framework for school catering services for The True Learning Partnership, enabling its schools to source catering provision when needed. The initial arrangement covers five schools, with other schools potentially joining later. Services must be flexible in delivery and operation, support each school’s needs and ethos, and provide good value. The requirement covers catering services across Trust schools, including full proposals for individual schools. Later schools joining the arrangement will use a mini-competition among framework suppliers. The procurement is for services rather than goods or construction, and is classified as school catering services under CPV 55524000. The opportunity suits catering operators able to support multiple schools and adapt provision to different local requirements.

The process has reached tender: RPJ3 Group invited suppliers to participate through a selective competitive flexible procedure. Interested suppliers first complete a scored Procurement Specific Questionnaire; the highest-scoring candidates are then invited to submit a full tender, followed by interviews or presentations before framework suppliers are selected. Expressions of interest are due by 28 September 2026 at 12:00 UK time. Site surveys and tender briefings are planned for late October 2026, tender responses for mid-November 2026, and interviews for early December 2026. The award period ends on 10 December 2026. There is one lot, with an estimated value of £6,000,000 excluding VAT (£7,200,000 including VAT). The contract runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with two one-year extensions available until 31 March 2032. Quality and financial criteria each carry 50%.

This opportunity suits established school catering providers and other catering businesses able to demonstrate strong local infrastructure, reliable operational support and flexibility across several sites. Suppliers need the labour capacity to maintain service levels, including relief cover, and must be able to respond to the differing needs and ethos of individual schools. The selection process tests both economic and technical capability through the Procurement Specific Questionnaire, followed by qualitative schedules, financial schedules, a set brief and an interview or negotiation stage. Full tender responses require 11 qualitative schedules and six or seven financial schedules, including a fixed annual price. A minimum employer’s liability insurance level of £10 million is required. Small and medium-sized enterprises are identified as suitable participants, and the framework is expected to appoint between one and three suppliers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

The True Learning Partnership Framework Catering Tender 2026/27

Notice Description

The True Learning Partnership (TTLP) 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 5 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 April 2027 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 April 2027 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 October 2026. Tender response deadline is planned as Mid November 2026 and it is envisaged that interviews will take place in early December 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

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f223
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083852-2026
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
£6,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 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
RPJ3 Group
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
Postcode Area
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
TLD6 Cheshire
Local Authority
Wirral
Electoral Ward
Leasowe and Moreton East
Westminster Constituency
Wallasey

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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