Scope
Description
Three primary schools are seeking to appoint new catering contractors for August 2026, following the closure of Leicestershire Traded Services catering department.
The schools are collaborating during the procurement process to find new providers, while retaining their right to appoint and contract to their chosen suppliers individually, although they may be open to further collaboration, should the offers be attractive.
Total value (estimated)
- £2,200,000 excluding VAT
- £2,640,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2029
- Possible extension to 31 July 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Each school may award contract extensions as 2 x 12 month periods, subject to all parties agreeing in writing.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKF21 - Leicester
Lot 1. Evington Valley Primary School
Description
Primary School catering contract - There is a kitchen on the school premises.
Lot value (estimated)
- £600,000 excluding VAT
- £720,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Parks Primary School
Description
Primary School catering services. The school has a kitchen on the premises
Lot value (estimated)
- £600,000 excluding VAT
- £720,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 3. St John the Baptist Primary School
Description
Primary School Catering Contract - the school has a kitchen on the premises
Lot value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Evington Valley Primary School
Lot 2. Parks Primary School
Lot 3. St John the Baptist Primary School
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
12 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
All submissions are to be made via the Bidiful App.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 70% |
| Price | Price | 30% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
The three schools are collaborating for the purposes of the tender, and have reserved the right to appoint their chosen supplier individually.
The procedure will consist of four distinct stages, allowing for an initial assessment of interested suppliers. Suppliers will be evaluated against the specific objectives of the new contract through the following stages:
• Selection Stage and Shortlisting
• Invitation to Tender (ITT) and Shortlisting for Presentation
• Presentation of Proposal to the Authority
• Reference Checking
The evaluation of the shortlisting process will be based on the information submitted by the bidding companies. A shortlist of suppliers will be compiled, with the 4 highest-scoring submissions invited to progress to the subsequent stage of the procurement process.
Only those companies that are selected and formally notified will be invited to submit a response during the ITT stage.
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://bidiful-teamportal.app/p/aceadvice
Documents for this tender will be available by contacting Dave Croshaw.
They will be made available via the Bidiful App
07765 062169
Contracting authorities
Evington Valley Primary School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGWJ-5844-PMNM
Evington Valley Road
Leicester
LE5 5LL
United Kingdom
Region: UKF21 - Leicester
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Parks Primary School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYJC-6371-BQVY
1 Gillman Road
LEICESTER
LE3 9NS
United Kingdom
Region: UKF21 - Leicester
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
St John the Baptist CoE (Aided) Primary School
- UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 8563431
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVCQ-9892-BTPT
East Avenue
Leicester
LE2 1TE
United Kingdom
Region: UKF21 - Leicester
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
ACE ADVICE LTD
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement Support
- Companies House: 12873828
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBBX-5711-VBGM
20 Wenlock Road
London
N1 7GU
United Kingdom
Contact name: Dave Croshaw
Email: dave.croshaw@ace-advice.co.uk
Website: https://www.ace-advice.co.uk/
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham