Scope
Description
Pendle Education Trust (PET) have decided to tender their catering services contract to investigate the financial and qualitative benefits they could be offered through this process.
Services include catering provision for 3 Primary Schools and 2 Secondary Schools Mon- Fri term time (190 days). Approximately 678 primary School meals are served daily and Secondary income is circa 2k per day combined. All Schools have existing kitchens and staff, with good equipment.
Here is a little information about the Trust's strategy, taken from their website Pendle Education Trust - Home
"Our Trust has the opportunity to influence and shape the children in our family to reach their full potential and more. We have over 2200 (2019-20) children in our schools, three primary and two secondary, with over 300 staff dedicated to their education and wellbeing. We are committed to the communities in which we work and recognise the uniqueness of each of these five communities with the local area in which we chose to work. Whilst we have ambition to increase the size of our family this will not be growth without thought. We are committed to working in our local area and to reaping the benefits of being geographically close - are schools are all within a thirteen-mile radius. We intend to protect our schools and ensure that we do not destabilise our family when we do grow. We have the support of our sponsor, Nelson & Colne College to ensure that we are relentless in our focus on the teaching and learning experience of our children and the improved opportunities this will bring to their lives."
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £2,190,578 excluding VAT
- £2,628,694 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:
2 x 12 month optional extension
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKD4 - Lancashire
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Internal Framework Agreement for Trust to enable any new Schools joining to engage the awarded contractor, within the contract terms & duration, including any extensions.
There will be no further market engagement or tender process required within the initial contract period and any extensions.
There will be no cost for joining schools to award the contract via the Framework.
Any schools joining the Framework will expect the same delivery standard, as outlines in the ITT & Contract,
Award method when using the framework
Without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
1 April 2026, 4:00pm
Tender submission deadline
3 April 2026, 4:00pm
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 May 2026
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 1 February 2031
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Submission | The Trust shall be under no obligation to accept the lowest of any tender prices submitted hereunder. Full points will be awarded to best value in terms of profit/subsidy (*Commercial Submission- Max... |
Cost | 50% |
| Quality | Within this evaluation framework the Trust have emphasised the importance of food quality & menu flexibility/inclusivity with meals that demonstrate value for money. They need a strong management... |
Quality | 50% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
PENDLE EDUCATION TRUST
- Companies House: 08263591
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRJP-2224-TJHM
Nelson And Colne College
Nelson
BB9 7YT
United Kingdom
Region: UKD46 - East Lancashire
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.
RED BOX CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: Contractor engagement, creation of ITT and supporting docs, hosting site visits, evaluating bids & presentations
- Companies House: 05126781
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDBY-5265-PHLM
1 Innisfree Close
North Yorkshire
HG2 8PL
United Kingdom
Email: admin@redboxcs.com
Region: UKE22 - North Yorkshire CC