Scope
Reference
CCL_105
Description
The Community Schools Trust is a highly successful multi-school trust, currently operating six secondary schools - five located in London and one Universal Technical College (UTC) in Norwich. The Trust supports some 5,750 students and is committed to delivering high standards of education and operational excellence. The Schools are supported by a team of approximately 730 teaching and support staff. The current cleaning services across the Trust's schools is delivered through a combination of models, several sites are managed by Birkin, one by Hackney Council and one is managed in-house.
The Trust is tendering its cleaning services with the aim to appoint a professional cleaning contractor with proven experience in first- and second-generation TUPE transfers. The selected contractor must either hold or have the ability to achieve Admitted Body Status for LGPS pensions.
The contract is scheduled to commence on 1st November 2025 for UTC Norfolk and 1st April 2026 for the remaining five schools within the Trust. The contract initially spans three years with an option for both parties to extend the contract for a further two years, (3+1+1) beyond this date by mutual agreement. Any contract extension will be subject to the Trust's satisfaction and agreement on budgets and service levels.
The estimated turnover for the entire five-year duration is approximately £7.5 million.
The contract is focused on consistently high levels of cleaning service and pro-active management. Regular termly and annual reviews throughout the contract duration are mandatory, and a break clause should be included to support both parties in case the relationship does not thrive. The Trust expects the successful contractor to deliver an excellent level of service, as well as high standards of support and a strong working relationship throughout the year.
The procurement process follows a two stage 'Competitive Flexible' approach, beginning with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage followed by an Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage after shortlisting. This process is managed under the Light Touch Regime, and the Trust reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout.
Total value (estimated)
- £7,499,999 excluding VAT
- £9,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 1 April 2029
- Possible extension to 1 April 2031
- 5 years, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
The contract initially spans three years with an option for both parties to extend the contract for a further two years, (3+1+1) beyond this date by mutual agreement. Any contract extension will be subject to the Trust's satisfaction and agreement on budgets and service levels.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 90919300 - School cleaning services
Contract locations
- UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
10 July 2025, 2:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
17 July 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
12 September 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | 65% |
Quality |
| Cost | 35% |
Cost |
Weighting description
Cost 35% and Quality 65%
Other information
Payment terms
30 days
Description of risks to contract performance
none
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
The procurement process follows a two stage 'Competitive Flexible' approach, beginning with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage followed by an Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage after shortlisting. This process is managed under the Light Touch Regime, and the Trust reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout.
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
All documents are available free of charge on the above link
Contracting authority
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TRUST
- Companies House: 10337377
Forest Gate Community School
London
E7 9BB
United Kingdom
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
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.
Cohesion Consulting Ltd
Summary of their role in this procurement: Cohesion are managing the procurement on behalf of the school
- Companies House: 13682273
16 Mount Pleasant
TUNBRIDGE WELLS
TN1 1QU
United Kingdom
Contact name: Cohesion Procurement Team
Telephone: +441892251001
Email: info@cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Website: http://www.cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent