Scope
Description
The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for Castle School Education Trust (CSET) & The Priory Learning Trust ( TPLT).
The two separate contracts and 'lots' cover the scope for the provision of all catering services within the schools, which also includes free issue requirements.
Contract value for the schools is circa £1.2m per annum at CSET and £1.3m per annum at TPLT.
Whilst both Trusts are currently independently operated, they have strategic intent to join at some stage during the period of the tender project or subsequent catering contract, consequently both organisations intend to award this catering contract to the same contractor, as two separate lots.
The Castle School Education Trust and The Priory Learning Trust are expected to grow, with a number of additional schools becoming part of the Trust/s during this contract period and the provision of catering services at these schools when they have joined the Trust/s will fall under the scope of these contracts. Similarly, any Trust Schools with alternative catering provisions currently in place could fall into scope of this contract as their current catering arrangements end. The successful Supplier will be expected to provide this service at these additional schools using the same costing model applied to the successful tender submission. The duration of contract for these schools will not be increased, and they will join the contract for the remaining contract period that exists at the point of entry into the Trust/s.
Due to the scale of the contract, and to enable an effective mobilisation period, it has been decided to stagger the mobilisation dates with each Trust commencing at a slightly different time.
Contractors are required to bid for both Lots, and the contract award shall be made at the same time.
The contracts are being awarded based on an initial three year, with the opportunity to extend by a further period of up to two years at the discretion of the relevant governing body.
•The CSET contract shall commence on 01.04.27 until 31.03.30.
•The TPLT contract shall commence on 01.08.27 until 31.07.30.
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-Bristol:-School-catering-services./UK65TK5AQC
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Total value (estimated)
- £12,500,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2027 to 1 April 2030
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 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
- UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
20 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Tender submission deadline
14 August 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
No
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
16 November 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 Documents for more information.
Contracting authorities
Castle School Education Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJBP-5124-DMWL
CSET, Mangotsfield School, Rodway Hill
Bristol
BS16 9LH
United Kingdom
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
The Priory Learning Trust
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRZP-8337-PBTJ
Redwing Drive, Worle, Weston-super-Mare
North Somerset
BS22 8XX
United Kingdom
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government