---
title: "Discovery MAT ~ Catering Tender"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066970"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066970"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066970.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066970.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "DISCOVERY MAT ~ CATERING TENDER"
published: "2026-03-13"
---

# Discovery MAT ~ Catering Tender

Buyer: DISCOVERY MAT ~ CATERING TENDER  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066970

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## Summary

The Discovery Multi Academy Trust (MAT) in Plymouth is seeking bids for a catering services contract, titled "Discovery MAT ~ Catering Tender". It covers three Primary Schools: Beechwood, Oakwood, and Weston Mill Community, all located in Plymouth, UK. This tender falls under the industry category of School Catering Services and will follow an open procedure. Key dates include the tender period ending on 24 April 2026, and the award expected by 8 June 2026. The contract is valued at £690,000 and will commence on 1 August 2026 for an initial three-year term, with the possibility of two additional 12-month extensions. Interested parties should focus on providing wholesome, local produce-based catering services, while also accommodating TUPE requirements and potential pension scheme contributions.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses with a strong operational base in the South West, particularly those experienced in school catering services. The contract requires flexibility and capacity to manage catering needs across multiple schools, making it ideal for companies accustomed to handling diverse requirements and locations. The tender emphasises quality and price, with award criteria focusing 70% on quality and 30% on price. SMEs are encouraged to apply, offering the potential for local suppliers of fresh produce to enhance their clientele. The contract’s guaranteed performance basis with profit-sharing on better fiscal outcomes provides added incentives for businesses aiming for growth through efficiency and quality service.

## Notice

The successful contractor will be required to provide catering services for the following three Primary Schools within Discovery Multi Academy Trust (MAT): 1. Beechwood Primary Academy, 31 Rockfield Avenue, Plymouth, PL6 6DX 2. Oakwood Primary Academy, Pendeen Crescent, Southway, Plymouth, PL6 6QS 3. Weston Mill Community Primary Academy, Ferndale Road, Plymouth, PL2 2EL Trust website: https://discoverymat.co.uk/ The contract covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the Schools, which is inclusive of all hospitality and free issue requirements. The duration of the contract being offered is for an initial three-year period commencing on 01 August 2026, with the potential to then extend for a further two 12-month periods. This extension will be granted by mutual consent and on the same terms and conditions as the original contract without the right to further extend beyond the full five years. The contract being offered within this tender will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with an expected profit share of any betterment to the agreed budget. While the Trust will be the principal contracting authority, each School will have its own individual budget for performance analysis and reconciliation. The Trust is seeking a suitably experienced contractor who is able to evidence working with multiple Primary Schools with varying requirements. The successful contractor will already have, or need to develop, a strong operational base within the South West, thus allowing for both adequate contract support and operational flexibility that is to be delivered to support the contract as and when needed moving forwards into this contract term. The services across the Schools are currently outsourced, and TUPE is expected to apply. It is anticipated that a number of the current employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and, in this instance, the successful contractor will be expected to gain Admitted Body Status (ABS) in order to continue contributing to the scheme. The Trust wishes to offer wholesome, healthy eating options within the menus which should be based upon the use of fresh, local produce that is abundant throughout the South West to support the local economy. Please see PSQ document for more information.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 1+1 Please see PSQ Document for more information.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022788-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 24 Apr 2026 |
| 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 | £690,000 |
| Lots value | £690,000 |
| 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 | DISCOVERY MAT ~ CATERING TENDER |
| Locality | PLYMOUTH |
| Post town | Plymouth |
| Postcode | PL6 6DX |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK41 Plymouth |
| Local authority | Plymouth |
| Electoral ward | Southway |
| Westminster constituency | Plymouth Moor View |
| Delivery location | TLK41 Plymouth |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

### Codes

- 55524000 - School catering services

## Release History

- 13 Mar 2026 at 10:37 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022788-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022788-2026
  13th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://discoverymat.co.uk/
- https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/85TMX75CNZ
- https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/CANX639T9R
- 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-066970. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066970.json.