Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Paradigm Trust Catering Contract

Paradigm Trust

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Oct 2026 at 15:29

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Paradigm Trust is seeking one supplier to provide catering services across its schools. The current estate comprises six primary schools and one secondary school, with a new primary school due to join the contract after it is built. The requirement is school catering (CPV 55524000). Delivery is in London and the Ipswich area, as indicated by the two delivery locations. The Trust expects a single-provider arrangement, citing the economic benefit of awarding the work to one supplier. The contract scope may be extended if additional schools join the Trust or new schools are built and opened.

The Trust invited offers through a competitive flexible procedure, comprising an initial supplier selection and shortlisting stage, followed by an invitation to tender and a further shortlist for presentations. The expression-of-interest deadline was 13 November 2026 at 12:00. The contract is scheduled to run from 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2030, with a possible maximum end date of 31 July 2032 through two 12-month extensions, subject to written agreement by both parties. The estimated total value is £7.5 million including VAT. There is one lot. Evaluation weights quality at 70% and price at 30%; quality is assessed using written responses, presentations and references. Bids may be submitted electronically in English.

This opportunity is suited to catering providers able to serve a multi-school estate spanning primary and secondary education, with capacity to accommodate an additional primary school and potential further scope growth. Small and medium-sized businesses are considered suitable. Suppliers must be able to provide employer’s liability and public/product liability insurance of £10 million each, professional indemnity cover of £5 million, and cyber and data risks insurance of at least £2 million. The assessment places greater weight on quality than price, so bidders should be able to make a strong written case, present their proposed service and provide relevant references. The selection process includes shortlisting based on submitted information, with moderation across written statements, presentations and reference checks.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Paradigm Trust Catering Contract

Notice Description

The Trust is seeking to appoint a single supplier to provide catering services to its schools. There are currently 6 primary schools and 1 secondary school in the Trust, and a new primary school is being built to open in September 2028. This school will join the catering contract.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The Trust may extend the scope of this contract if any new schools join the Trust, or when any new schools are built and open.

Renewal: 2 x 12 month extensions are available if both parties agree in writing.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078f62
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/100653-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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
£7,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£7,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Oct 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Aug 2027 - 31 Jul 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
Paradigm 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
LONDON
Postcode
E14 0PT
Postcode Area
East London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC, TLI42 Tower Hamlets
Local Authority
Tower Hamlets
Electoral Ward
Lansbury
Westminster Constituency
Poplar and Limehouse

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.

Loading OCDS record...