Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Thomas Mills High School
Saxtead Road
Framlingham
IP13 9HE
tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Telephone
+44 1276673880
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH14 - Suffolk
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://thomasmills.suffolk.sch.uk/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Thomas Mills High School ~ Catering Tender
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 55524000 - School catering services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Thomas Mills High School & Sixth Form is a flourishing 11-18 high school situated in the historic town of Framlingham, Suffolk. We set high expectations of our pupils and, together with our well-qualified staff, this leads to excellent teaching and learning.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £1,371,687.8
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH14 - Suffolk
Main site or place of performance
Suffolk
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Thomas Mills High School & Sixth Form is a flourishing 11-18 high school situated in the historic town of Framlingham, Suffolk. We set high expectations of our pupils and, together with our well-qualified staff, this leads to excellent teaching and learning.
Pupils travel to the school from across east and central Suffolk, as well as south Norfolk, to experience an academic education of high quality. The school is presenting an exciting opportunity to partner with a Supplier who is able to deliver their vision of promoting the health and wellbeing of their circa 1030 pupils and 100 staff through the catering provision. Current catering sales revenue is around £300k per
annum, but there is considerable upside thought possible with some potential investment in the catering infrastructure.
The Client would like to see innovative delivery of emerging food trends that are seen on the high-street and in supermarkets that pupils frequent and therefore need to be reflective in the school dining environment. There is a need to maximise sales and uptake – this can be achieved by offering a dynamic and bespoke food offering at morning break and lunchtime.
The ITT will investigate the addition of a breakfast service and the anticipated impact that this may make.
The key areas of focus for the successful service provider will include;
Fresh and innovative menus that are nutritionally balanced and appealing;
The best use of local seasonal produce;
Efficient and consistent speed of service with great customer interaction;
Sustainable solutions for food packaging;
Catering staff integration with the School community and support with Curriculum
activities.
Identifying and potential funding of appropriate additions to the existing offer notably in
terms of potentially funding and sourcing a new 6th form/ teacher facing offer in the 6th
form hub
The Client expects the successful Supplier to evidence, through their bid, how they will
deliver these focus areas.
The existing team have resilience and consistency in day to day production, but in order to produce the innovative and dynamic food offer required they will need to be supported by an engaged operational team that can demonstrate and upskill menu content to provideservices that meet expectation.
Aside from the food, the environment in which the pupils engage with the catering offer is adequate but lacks some definition and merchandising, so the catering partners will need to consider what the requirements are to drive the whole pupil experience in the dining hall and other service areas.
With a contract start date of Summer 2025, the Supplier will need to consider how they will manage the mobilisation and launch the service in what should be an adequate mobilisation timetable.
The Client is seeking a catering service partner that has the ability and appetite to work flexibly and with complete transparency to deliver an exceptional standard of service and take on the development of a loyal and dedicated team. The contract will be for an initial three year-term, (with likely potential for further extension), Litmus are in the process of concluding a consumer insight survey which looks in detail into current levels of satisfaction of the pupils of all ages and the staff, this data and insight report will feature in the ITT data for those shortlisted.
The catering tender presents an exciting time for the School and the Client is looking forwardn to developing a successful partnership with a service provider demonstrating the right
cultural fit as well as hunger and appetite continuous improvement.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Cost criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 100
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
Please note, this is a Contract Award Notice, this contract has already been awarded.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-034075
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
3 April 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Lunchtime Co Ltd
10 Barnwell House, Barnwell Drive
Cambridge
CB5 8UU
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
National registration number
03452446
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £1,500,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £1,371,687.8
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
To view this notice, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=941801180 GO Reference: GO-2025415-PRO-30175010
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Thomas Mills High School & Sixth Form
Saxtead Road, Framlingham
Suffolk
IP13 9HE
Country
United Kingdom