Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Catering Services

Connect Academy Trust

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

14 Oct 2026 at 12:57

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Connect Academy Trust is seeking a provider for school catering across nine schools in Plymouth, Torquay and Newton Abbot. The service covers daily meals for pupils, free school meals and hospitality, alongside nutritional compliance, sustainability objectives and social value commitments. This is a catering services contract (CPV 55520000) for schools across the Trust. Suppliers would be responsible for delivering food and catering services at the schools, with provision shaped around pupils’ needs and the Trust’s nutritional and wider sustainability aims.

The Trust invited offers through an open competition using the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The enquiry deadline was 2 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC, and the submission deadline was 16 November 2026 at 23:59 UTC. The contract is valued at £850,000 excluding VAT (£1,020,000 including VAT). It is due to run from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030, with an extension possible up to 31 March 2032 if service standards and key performance indicators are met. Quality accounts for 30% of evaluation, the commercial proposal 25%, mobilisation and TUPE 10%, social value 15%, sustainability 15%, and innovation and added value 5%.

The opportunity suits catering suppliers with experience in the education sector and the capacity to serve multiple schools. Relevant strengths include producing appealing menus, engaging pupils, supporting free school meal provision and managing allergies, customer service and staffing. The Trust expects suppliers to demonstrate financial stability, appropriate insurance, safeguarding compliance and effective food safety management systems. TUPE experience is important for managing staff transfer, training, parent communications and implementation. Bids should also show how the supplier can deliver local employment, apprenticeships, community engagement and educational activities, while reducing food miles, carbon emissions, food waste and packaging. Small and medium-sized businesses are identified as suitable to bid.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Catering Services

Notice Description

The Trust invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified catering providers for the provision of school catering services across nine schools within the Trust (based in Plymouth, Torquay and Newton Abbott). Current value of contract is PS850,000. The contract will include: * Daily pupil meal provision * Free School Meal provision * Hospitality services * Nutritional compliance * Sustainability objectives * Social value commitments The procurement will be conducted under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Interested suppliers must demonstrate: * Relevant education sector experience * Financial stability * Appropriate insurances * Safeguarding compliance * Food safety management systems * TUPE experience The estimated contract commencement date is 1 April 2027.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: If service provision meets standard and KPIs are met, we would consider extending the contract.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078782
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096984-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

CPV Codes

55520000 - Catering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£850,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£850,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Nov 20264 weeks to go
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
Connect 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
PLYMOUTH
Postcode
PL6 8RF
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Plymouth
Electoral Ward
Moor View
Westminster Constituency
Plymouth Moor View

Further Information

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.

Loading OCDS record...