Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Meridian Trust Offices
Fen Lane
Sawtry
PE28 5TQ
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.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/9FZ2C6MF49
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
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.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £19,888,190
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for all lots
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: 3
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 is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £5,250,500
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 August 2024
End date
31 July 2029
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
Envisaged minimum number: 5
Maximum number: 10
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:
A minimum of 5 suppliers and a maximum of 10 suppliers will be taken forward to the tender stage of the process. Where less than 5 suppliers meet the minimum standards, only those that meet the minimum standards will be taken through to the tender stage. Where more than 5 suppliers meet the minimum standard, those suppliers with the highest scores will proceed to the tender stage.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
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
To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/9FZ2C6MF49
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 is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £14,537,475
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 August 2024
End date
31 July 2029
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
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
To submit a bid for this Lot please use the following link: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/777A2Z7KA9
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 is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £100,215
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start date
1 August 2024
End date
31 July 2029
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
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
To submit a bid for this Lot please use the following link: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/H8CBZE86J4
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
10 November 2023
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
9 February 2024
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
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.
The contracting authority will not be liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in tendering for this contract opportunity.
The contracting authority will consider variant bids, evaluating them (so far as the variant or the evaluation of the variant is in the opinion of the contracting authority practicable) on the same basis as a conforming bid, but shall not be obliged to accept any such bid in preference to a conforming bid even if the variant bid scores more highly. No variant will be considered unless the bidder simultaneously submits a conforming bid.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Sawtry:-School-catering-services./9FZ2C6MF49" target="_blank">https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Sawtry:-School-catering-services./9FZ2C6MF49
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/9FZ2C6MF49" target="_blank">https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/9FZ2C6MF49
GO Reference: GO-2023109-PRO-24146023
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Meridian Trust Offices
Fen Lane
Sawtry
PE28 5TQ
Country
United Kingdom