Planning

Preliminary Market Engagement - Outsourced Meal prep and Transported In Catering Service

  • ACE (Academies for Character & Excellence)

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-010041

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04eecf

Published 18 March 2025, 9:12pm



Scope

Description

The Trust is seeking a Contractor that will deliver an Outsourced "Meal Preparation Delivered In" Catering Service for this contract.

There are 6 schools in Somerset. The current contract ends in August 2025 and the production kitchens currently preparing and serving the meals are part of another Trust and will no longer be available for a new contract.

the Contractor shall:

1. offer a service that is aligned to the vision, value and ethos of the Trust who deliver 'excellence' in their own in-house catering service.

2. formulate a service delivery schedule that accounts for each site's geographical location, is streamlined, efficient and ensures journey times are below 30 mins.

3. deliver a high-quality service, ensuring food quality, selecting suitable menu choices that can be transported and served effectively whilst delivering value for money for schools, parents and pupils using the services.

4. provide management information and partnership working to improve take-up of meals, and continuous improvement particularly for FSM pupils.

5. be responsible for TUPE of existing staff who are associated with the transporting of the meals

the schools are:

School Address

Ashill Primary School Road, Ashill, Ilminster, TA19 9ND

Buckland St Mary Buckland St Mary, Chard, TA20 3SJ

Hatch Beauchamp Station Road, Hatch Beauchamp, Taunton, TA3 6SQ

Holy Trinity South Street, Taunton, TA1 3AF

Stockland Primary Stockland, Honiton, EX14 9EF

Winsham Primary Church Street, Winsham, Near Chard, TA20 4HU

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026
  • Possible extension to 31 August 2027
  • 2 years

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 55500000 - Canteen and catering services

Contract locations

  • UKK23 - Somerset

Engagement

Engagement deadline

4 April 2025

Engagement process description

The Trust Director of Operations Sam Ward is seeking potential solutions ahead of the catering service tender being published on the 4th April.

The Trust are open to innovative solutions and options around splitting the service to the schools between different solutions or production kitchens.

Please email tenders@phplaw.co.uk if you would like to participate in the preliminary market engagement by having a meeting with the Director of Opertions.

All meetings will be minuted with any implications on our requirements or tender approach transparently updated. No prospective supplier would be put at a disadvantage.


Participation

Particular suitability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)


Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

4 April 2025


Contracting authority

ACE (Academies for Character & Excellence)

  • Companies House: 10098444

Pathfields

Totnes

TQ9 5TZ

United Kingdom

Contact name: Sam Ward

Telephone: +44 1626 242342

Email: sam.ward@acexcellence.co.uk

Website: https://www.acexcellence.co.uk/

Region: UKK43 - Devon 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.

PHP Law LLP

Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement Consultant

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPRM-9434-VNYQ

Unit 1,2 & 3 Brutus House, Station Road

Totnes

TQ9 5RW

United Kingdom

Contact name: Josie Medforth

Telephone: +44 7857426127

Email: josie.medforth@phplaw.co.uk

Website: https://www.phplaw.co.uk

Region: UKK43 - Devon CC


Contact organisation

Contact ACE (Academies for Character & Excellence) for any enquiries.