Contract

Invitation to Tender (Framework Agreement) to Manage Catering Services at Northern Star Academies Trust

  • NORTHERN STAR ACADEMIES TRUST

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-041615

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05082e

Published 21 July 2025, 12:32pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

NORTHERN STAR ACADEMIES TRUST

77 Gargrave Road

Skipton

BD231QN

Contact

Louise Bullman

Email

ls@redboxcs.com

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKE22 - North Yorkshire CC

Companies House

5667

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.nsat.org.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

Invitation to Tender (Framework Agreement) to Manage Catering Services at Northern Star Academies Trust

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 55524000 - School catering services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Provision of catering service for a Trust of 15 Schools including 2 Secondaries, across North Yorkshire.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

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

Lowest offer: £428,216.84 / Highest offer: £793,386.3 taken into consideration

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKE2 - North Yorkshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Northern Star Academies Trust wish to be at the forefront of school catering and as such require a modern, branded offer that reflects the leading trends in the industry whilst adapting to a diverse demographic of customers.

At this time, the Trust's wish is to commence a catering contract, with a partner who shares their vision for a customer-focused service that attracts the maximum number of students. The meals that are to be provided must be appealing to customers, inclusive, imaginative, provide excellent value for money and be nutritionally balanced to encourage all students to make an educated choice.

The School's objectives for the new contract are as follows:-

A catering service that is professionally managed and works in partnership with Business & Operations Leadership.

A strong Contractor & Group/Area Manager who will develop and lead the team to deliver exceptional customer service, a consistently high-quality food offer and spend a substantial amount of time on site at the outset to undertake this.

A Contractor who is proactive in their relationship management with the School/Trust.

Flexible menus to fit local demographics

Food education initiatives, pupil engagement and improved social dining experience

Seasonal, locally sourced produce prioritised.

Food and drinks that look appetising and are attractively presented.

A service that is professionally merchandised and marketed with discretion and to the mutual benefit of the Trust and the Contractor.

Natasha's Law (2021): Full allergen labelling on all pre-packed food.

HMC Halal Compliance where required.

To work with Schools to develop a social dining ethos leading to a higher number of students and staff using the facilities.

A Contractor that adopts a flexible and proactive approach to all Trust activities, specifically involving student engagement at Primary & Secondary level within food education and skills development.

A Contractor that is dedicated to supporting our local communities through Social Value enterprise and engagement activities.

A Contractor that operates using the optimum level of staffing.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: 13 qualitative questions / Weighting: 400/600 points

Cost criterion - Name: 3 criteria measured-Cost, Investment & Financial Narrative / Weighting: 250/600

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

2x optional extensions of 12 months each


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open 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: 2025/S 000-017240


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

21 July 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 4

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

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Aspens Services Limited

London

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UKE2 - North Yorkshire
Companies House

06561073

The contractor is an SME

No

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

Lowest offer: £438,217.44 / Highest offer: £793,386.3 taken into consideration


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Red Box Consultancy Services

Harrogate

Country

United Kingdom