Scope
Description
The Trust is seeking to appoint a single contractor to provide catering services to all of the schools in the Trust.
The Trust currently has two secondary schools and seven primary schools.
Total value (estimated)
- £7,275,000 excluding VAT
- £8,730,000 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:
Extensions are available as 2 x 12 month periods, agreed in writing by both parties
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
The Trust may grow in size over the life of the catering contract, and seeks to be able to include any additional schools who join the Trust into this contract, once the previous commercial agreements permit.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
11 March 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
All submissions are to be made via the Bidiful Portal
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
1 June 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | The Trust will assess the written responses, the supplier presentation and references in their evaluation of the quality score |
Quality | 70% |
| Price | Price | 30% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
The procedure will consist of four distinct stages, allowing for an initial assessment of interested suppliers. Suppliers will be evaluated against the specific objectives of the new contract through the following stages:
• Selection Stage and Shortlisting
• Invitation to Tender (ITT) and Shortlisting for Presentation
• Presentation of Proposal to the Authority
• Reference Checking
The evaluation of the shortlisting process will be based on the information submitted by the bidding companies. A shortlist of suppliers will be compiled, with up to 6 of the highest-scoring submissions invited to progress to the subsequent stage of the procurement process.
Only those companies that are selected and formally notified will be invited to submit a response during the ITT stage.
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://bidiful-teamportal.app
Bidders may apply for the tender documents by emailing
ian.henderson@ace-advice.co.uk
Documents will be made available from the Bidiful portal:
Contracting authority
PONTEFRACT ACADEMIES TRUST
- Companies House: 08445158
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXVG-9387-MVVY
The Barracks Business Centre
Pontefract
WF8 4HH
United Kingdom
Email: adminsupport@patrust.org.uk
Region: UKE45 - Wakefield
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.
ACE ADVICE LTD
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement support
- Companies House: 12873828
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBBX-5711-VBGM
20 Wenlock Road
London
N1 7GU
United Kingdom
Contact name: Ian Henderson
Email: ian.henderson@ace-advice.co.uk
Website: https://www.ace-advice.co.uk/
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham