Scope
Description
The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for up to five schools (2 x Secondary and 3 x Primary) of the Oxlip Learning Partnership ( the trust).
The Trust comprises two secondary academies (Copleston High School and Stowupland High School) and five primary academies of which 3 (Bacton Primary School, Cedars Park Primary School, Mendlesham Primary School) are potentially in scope for this project.
At this present moment, the schools have differing approaches to catering service provision, Copleston High School is outsourced whereas the other four schools potentially in scope for this tender are currently self-delivering. Copleston High School is the key driver for this procurement exercise as it will be out of contract in Summer 2026 and needs to find an in-form, competent and confidant service provider capable of engaging its 1900 + pupils on a daily basis for its new contract term, whereas the self-delivered schools, if they participate will be curious as to a bidder's experience in taking schools to first time outsourcing and it's challenges and risks alongside the commercial opportunities that this could realise.
The Trust is presenting this exciting opportunity to partner with a supplier who is able to deliver their vision of promoting health and wellbeing through food provision across the five schools. Current sales at Copleston are equivalent of £520k pa. Current Turnover if all five schools become part of scope is expected to be just short of £1m. It is thought that, with focus of resources and investment, there is significant growth potential through driving uptake in all of the self-operated schools.
The client would like to see innovative delivery of emerging food trends that are seen on the high street and in retail outlets that pupils and their families frequent and therefore need to be reflected in the school dining rooms. The ITT will capture detailed specifications for each school against which bidders can present confident proposals.
Please see PSQ Document for more information.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Suffolk:-School-catering-services./8725VGB8FH
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Total value (estimated)
- £2,600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
- Possible extension to 31 August 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
1+1
Please see PSQ document for more information.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKH14 - Suffolk
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
20 February 2026, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
24 April 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)
25 May 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Criterion 1 | Quality | 70% |
| Criterion 2 | Price | 30% |
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
Please see PSQ Document for more information.
Contracting authority
Oxlip Learning Partnership
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVZX-1998-PMNJ
Oxlip Learning Partnership, Copleston Road, Ipswich
Suffolk
IP4 5HD
United Kingdom
Region: UKH14 - Suffolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government