Contract

Meridian Academies Trust ~ Catering Tender

  • Meridian Trust Offices

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-016799

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-040a87

Published 29 May 2024, 4:05pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Meridian Trust Offices

Fen Lane

Sawtry

PE28 5TQ

Email

tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk

Telephone

+44 1276673880

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.meridiantrust.co.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

Meridian Academies Trust ~ Catering Tender

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 55524000 - School catering services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Meridian Trust is a successful multi academy trust founded in 2011 on its commitment to people and communities.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £28,885,041.9

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Meridian Trust Offices ~ Primary Schools

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 55524000 - School catering services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Main site or place of performance

Cambridgeshire CC

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Our vision is to provide high quality education for all at the heart of local communities and our mission is to deliver, promote and inspire high quality educational provision in schools at the heart of their local communities. The trust has grown rapidly and consists of 30 schools, 1 Associate school and a further two primary schools expected to open in the next year, so we will be over 33 in the very near future. Please also note that this is a growing Trust and should any other schools join this Trust during the course of this contract, these schools may, at the discretion of the client, be added to this contract. Please note that where schools have an existing in house service the trust reserves the right to make it’s own appointment decision and reserves the right not to appoint any contractor bidding for this contract. The tender project is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities of all schools, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The Schools would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1st August 2024 to 31st July 2027. There will then be the option to extend for up to a maximum of a further 2 years, at the discretion of the client. Note some differing current contract end dates here if applicable. This contract will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the trust a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the Trust for the duration of this contract. Free School meals are to be charged based on uptake and with a margin attached and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost. The School year at all schools is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five days are to be used for staff professional development which means that School will be open to receive students for the legal minimum of 190 days. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the Schools, which currently includes breakfast service (where applicable) morning break (where applicable), lunch and all hospitality and free issue requirements. The Trust seeks a flexible contractor that can provide an excellent high quality service to all schools delivering continuity in high standards of quality, service and management across all schools - whilst being flexible with the offer delivered per school – tailored to each school’s specific set of students and requirements. Whilst the Trust prioritises value for money as a key objective of the Competitive Tender Process, it is not obliged to accept the lowest price. The Trust expects the successful contractor to enable the continued development of catering through the provision of an innovative, healthy food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients being prepared on-site. The Trust expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Every Child Matters. The Trust believes that success should be celebrated and that pupils should enjoy their time at school; if lessons are stimulating and challenging then students will love learning. Please see SQ document for more information.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

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

This contract has been awarded

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Meridian Trust Offices ~ Secondary Schools

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 55524000 - School catering services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Main site or place of performance

Cambridgeshire CC

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Please see SQ document for more information.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

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

This contract has been awarded

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Meridian Trust Offices ~ Special Educational Needs Schools

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 55524000 - School catering services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
Main site or place of performance

Cambridgeshire CC

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Please see SQ document for more information.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price

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

This contract has 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: 2023/S 000-029757


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

15 May 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 6

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Cater Link Limited

Earley West, 300 Thames Valley Park Drive

Reading

RG6 1PT

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKJ11 - Berkshire
National registration number

03732298

The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £19,888,190

Total value of the contract/lot: £28,885,041.9


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement. It will be the supplier's responsibility to obtain any necessary documents in order to submit a response by the closing date and time. The contracting authority reserves the right not to award any or part of the contract which is the subject of this contract notice and reserves the right to terminate the procurement process at any time.

To view this notice, please click here:

https://litmustms.co.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=865300495

GO Reference: GO-2024529-PRO-26360813

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Meridian Trust Offices

Fen Lane

Sawtry

PE28 5TQ

Country

United Kingdom