--- title: "Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust Catering Framework Tender 2026" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06055e" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06055e" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06055e.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06055e.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "RPJ3 GROUP" published: "2026-01-14" --- # Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust Catering Framework Tender 2026 Buyer: RPJ3 GROUP Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06055e [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06055e) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06055e.json) ## Summary The RPJ3 Group, based in Wirral, UK, is managing a tender process titled "Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust Catering Framework Tender 2026" for the procurement of school catering services. This initiative targets the educational sector and covers an initial cohort of 7-10 schools under the Trust, with the potential for more schools to join later. The estimated gross value of the contract is £6,000,000, with a selective procurement approach through a competitive flexible procedure. The schedule includes a participation stage, which kickstarts with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) for interested suppliers. Key dates include an expression of interest deadline set for 9th February 2026, site surveys and briefings in early March, tender response submission by early April, with interviews planned for May, and a contract commencement in August 2026. The total contract period could extend up to five years, factoring in possible extensions. This procurement offers notable opportunities for businesses specialising in school catering services, with an emphasis on structured service delivery and local infrastructure support. The flexible procedure allows suppliers to participate through a PSQ, enabling even Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with robust catering frameworks to vie for selection. The contract prioritises both financial and qualitative criteria, offering a balanced opportunity for cost-effective yet high-quality service providers to secure a position on the framework. Furthermore, the possibility of additional schools joining the framework presents ongoing business growth potential over the contract's tenure, ensuring sustained engagements for successful bidders. ## Notice The Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust 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 7-10 schools in this framework, however, other schools may call off later. It should be noted that it is not mandatory for 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 August 2026 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 August 2026 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 early March 2026. Tender response deadline is planned as early April 2026 and it is envisaged that interviews will take place in early May 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 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002967-2026 | | 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 | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2029 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £5,000,000 | | Lots value | £5,000,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | RPJ3 GROUP | | Locality | WIRRAL | | Post town | Chester | | Postcode | CH46 3SA | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD7 Merseyside | | ITL 3 | TLD74 Wirral | | Local authority | Wirral | | Electoral ward | Leasowe and Moreton East | | Westminster constituency | Wallasey | | Delivery location | TLD74 Wirral | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services ### Codes - 55524000 - School catering services ## Release History - 14 Jan 2026 at 10:16 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002967-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002967-2026 14th January 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06055e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06055e.json.