Aspire Academy Trust - Provision of Outsourced Catering Service
Estimated value
£12.0m
Awarded value
—
Suppliers
0
Lots
1
Published
14 Jul 2025
This is a preliminary market engagement notice
Map the supplier landscape and document your shortlist before opening the tender. The market simulation produces a defensible audit record you can attach to your procurement file.
Description
This tender opportunity has been issued by Aspire Academy Trust (“the Trust”). The proposed contract will be for the provision of Outsourced Catering Service to the Trust. The Trust is seeking a Contractor that will deliver the service for this contract, providing a high-quality service, whilst delivering value for money for the school, parents and pupils using the Services. The Contract will include all food and staff provision to support the delivery of the catering services requirement. In addition to the above, the Contractor shall: a. work in partnership with the Trust, operating at Trust level, demonstrating a centralised approach that offers transparency and visibility of management information, KPI and financial performance. This will allow for a robust level of oversight regarding contract delivery as a whole. b. fully utilise the benefits, from a centralised strategy and approach for both parties, continually improving the quality and uptake of meals, particularly for FSM pupils. c. operate a standard approach across all schools, delivering an exemplary quality of service whilst harnessing a continuous drive for improvement throughout the contract term. d. ensure a high-quality food offering, whilst delivering value for money for schools, pupils and parents using the services. e. offer a service that is aligned to the vision, value and ethos of the Trust. f. be responsible for TUPE of existing staff.
Scope
- Reference
- ASP01.49
- Total value
- £12,000,000 excluding VAT£14,400,000 including VATAbove the relevant threshold
- Commercial tool
- Standalone contract
- Contract dates
- 05 Jan 2026 to 04 Jan 2029Possible extension to 04 Jan 2031
Option of two further one year extensions (3+1+1)
- Main category
- services
- CPV classifications
- 55524000
- Contract locations
- South West England, United Kingdom
- Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Award criteria
Criteria the buyer will use to evaluate bids.
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | — | quality | 60.00% |
| Guaranteed Position | — | cost | 40.00% |
Participation
Conditions suppliers must meet to bid.
Risks to contract performance are: Compliance and Regulatory Risks: Failure to comply with regulations and standards can lead to legal penalties and increased liability. Regular updates to safety regulations may require ongoing adjustments to the contract and services provided. Operational Risks: Delays in response times for the provision of workers. Not being able to fullfil the bookings Financial Risks: Inaccurate cost estimates or underfunding can lead to incomplete or substandard service delivery. Vendor Risks: A Contractor may fail to meet contractual obligations or commit a matereial breach. Contractor may face operational or financial difficulties. Technological Risks: Outdated or incompatible technology can hinder the effectiveness of fire and security systems. Cybersecurity threats to digital security systems can compromise sensitive information and system integrity. Communication Risks: Poor communication between the Contractor and the Trust can lead to misunderstandings and unmet expectations. Lack of clear protocols for reporting and addressing issues can delay resolution and increase risks.
Provide 3 relevant previous contract examples To constitute a pass, the contract examples provided shall be relevant to the requirement, with a sufficient level of detail that provides confidence in the Tenderer’s established past experience in similar and relevant projects/contracts. The contracts must be within the education sector and similar complexity and working on more than one site within the contract.