Scope
Description
The successful tenderer will be required to provide excellent catering services to all 5 schools.
The contract term being tendered is for three years, 20th July 2026 - 19th July 2029. There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 19th July 2031.
The contract offers an excellent opportunity to review and propose enhancements to the current catering services at the schools. This includes but is not limited to; breakfast, morning break, lunchtime and after school services, over the academic year, plus hospitality services upon request.
The schools are keen to secure a high quality catering service including fresh locally sourced ingredients prepared on site, with a menu design that is flexible to suit the requirements of the schools' specific students. The schools expect both a tightly managed service and a management style delivered by the successful contractor that supports, encourages and develops the catering staff.
The schools are not obliged to accept the lowest price submitted for this tender, rather they are keen to secure 'best value' from this contract and to deliver 'best value' to their students. Innovative and creative ideas as to how the services can be developed and value added, will be welcomed. The schools seek a contractor that is keen to work in partnership and who will deliver to its highest abilities, at all times. Whilst the objective is to secure one catering contractor to service all 5 schools, each school reserves the right to take its own appointment decision.
Competitive Flexible Procedure
This procurement will be run under the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will follow a two stage approach, with stage 1 being the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Here a minimum of 5 candidates (or less, in the event less than 5 meet the minimum criteria) and a maximum of 10 candidates, will progress to stage 2. Any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement and a minimum score of 60% must be achieved.
Selected tenderers will then be invited to stage 2, the Invitation To Tender (ITT). Here, the evaluation of tender response will be set as 35% price and 65% quality.
Value of contract:
The annual value of the current contract is £160,500
Therefore the value of this contract is £802,500 (above total x 5 as this contract is for a maximum of 5 years)
The contract shall be a guaranteed performance contract with any hospitality requirements billed separately.
Additional requirements and information:
•The school has a minimum requirement for a contractor's employers' liability and public liability insurances of £5 million
•The minimum annual turnover that your company must have achieved to be considered for this opportunity is £500,000
•There are not any incumbent catering staff currently within the Local Government Pension Scheme
•The catering services are currently contracted to Aspens Services and Lunchtime UK.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Cambridgeshire:-School-catering-services./S47T3MW2GV
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Total value (estimated)
- £802,500 excluding VAT
- £963,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 20 July 2026 to 19 July 2029
- Possible extension to 19 July 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 19th July 2031.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
27 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Deadline for requests to participate
27 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
8 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 65% |
| Price | Price | 35% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
This procurement will be run under the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will follow a two stage approach, with stage 1 being the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Here a minimum of 5 candidates (or less, in the event less than 5 meet the minimum criteria) and a maximum of 10 candidates, will progress to stage 2. Any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement and a minimum score of 60% must be achieved.
Selected tenderers will then be invited to stage 2, the Invitation To Tender (ITT). Here, the evaluation of tender response will be set as 35% price and 65% quality.
Contracting authorities
Townley Primary School & Pre-School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVQV-1155-WJZQ
Crown Road, Christchurch, Wisbech
Cambridgeshire
PE14 9NA
United Kingdom
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Friday Bridge Community Primary School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCHL-6964-BJRG
Maltmas Drove, Friday Bridge, Wisbech
Cambridgeshire
PE14 0HW
United Kingdom
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Beaupre Community Primary School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRQL-5342-LLXV
Church Drove, Outwell, Wisbech
Cambridgeshire
PE14 8RH
United Kingdom
Region: UKH16 - North and West Norfolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Benwick Primary School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRHN-1849-LMBY
High Street, Benwick, March
Cambridgeshire
PE15 0XA
United Kingdom
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Manea Community Primary School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXYY-9262-VMGR
Station Road, Manea
Cambridgeshire
PE15 0HA
United Kingdom
Region: UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
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.
RIVA Partnership Ltd
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement Consultancy supporting the Contracting Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPWL-9222-MYRJ
Hones Business Park, 1 Waverley Lane
Farnham
GU9 8BB
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey