Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Tenterden Schools Trust
Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre, Ashford Road, Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6LT
Tenterden
TN30 6LT
Contact
Maria Robinson
Telephone
+44 1256467107
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKJ4 - Kent
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.tenterden-schools-trust.com/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Education Institute
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Tenterden Schools Trust - Catering Services
Reference number
MPN-10302
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 55524000 - School catering services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Tenterden Schools Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service.The services at the Trust are a mix of outsourced provision with some schools receiving a delivered in service.The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of breakfast and morning breaks at some sites and full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the schools include the main dining areas and servery, some sites also have a delivered in service.Across the Trust there are currently 2,573 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 209 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 700 to Free School Meals. TUPE is expected to apply, details of which can be found in the tender documentation.Some members of the catering team are members of the LGPS and all details are in the tender documents.
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: £6,200,042.6
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55524000 - School catering services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ4 - Kent
Main site or place of performance
Full details in tender documentation
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Tenterden Schools Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service.The services at the Trust are a mix of outsourced provision and delivered in services. The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of breakfast and morning breaks at some sites and full lunch service for each school day at all sites (delivered in service requirements - please refer to the tender documentation). The catering facilities at the school include the main dining areas and servery, plus some sites also have a hot and cold Grab and Go section.Across the Trust there are currently 2,573 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 209 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 700 to Free School Meals. TUPE is expected to apply, details of which can be found in the tender documentation.Some members of the catering team are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme and all details are in the tender documentation.The Trust is keen to further increase uptake and continue the good work already in place for catering. It wishes to do so by working closely with the successful contractor in developing and continuously improving the service and partnership during the period of the contract and by introducing innovative and creative ideas as submitted in the tender process and ongoing.The Trust is aware that there are always opportunities to improve and modernise. They are interested in ensuring that the caterers provide the best possible service, introducing new menu ideas and initiatives so that pupils are all eating and utilising the service regularly.Please allow sufficient time to make your return as late returns will not be accepted.Any questions relating to this tender should be made via the correspondence section of this website.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: All criteria are stated only in the procurement documents / Weighting: 90
Price - Weighting: 10
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The contract will be awarded for an initial period of 3 years with 2 possible extensions of 12 months meaning a maximum contract length of 5 years.
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
The duration detailed above includes the initial term of 3 years as well as the 2 optional contract extension periods of 12 months each.
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: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2024/S 000-036680
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
Tenterden Schools Trust
Title
Catering Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
7 May 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Aspens Services Ltd
Ground Floor, Teme House, Whittington Hall
Whittington, Worcestershire
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKG12 - Worcestershire
Internet address
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: £746,087
Total value of the contract/lot: £6,200,042.6
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures
Tenterden Schools Trust incorporated a standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract was communicated to tenderers. That notification provided full information on the award decision. The standstill period, which was for a minimum of 10 calendar days, provided time for unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the award decision before the contract was entered into. The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).