Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
The Circle Trust
The Oval Offices c/o St Crispin’s School, London Road
Wokingham
RG40 1SS
Contact
Rachel OGrady
Telephone
+44 1252977017
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ11 - Berkshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's 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
The Circle 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
The contract requires excellent catering services to be delivered to all schools within The Circle Trust (8 primary and 2 secondary schools at present) - based in Wokingham
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: £8,140,445
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ11 - Berkshire
Main site or place of performance
Berkshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Circle Trust is an educational charity, that exists to do one thing, to promote education for the public benefit. We are a community of schools that have shared values and an essential common ethos and vision for education and learning.
We seek a catering contractor who will work in partnership with us and who will mirror our highest standards.
More information with regards to Circle Trust can be obtained here: https://thecircletrust.co.uk/
Our Schools: 1.Badgemore Primary School. 2.Emmbrook Infant School. 3.Emmbrook Junior School. 4.Nine Mile Ride Primary School. 5.Shinfield Infant and Nursery School. 6.St Crispin’s Secondary School. 7.The Emmbrook School (Secondary). 8.Wescott Infant School. 9.Westende Junior School. 10.The Hawthorns Primary School
All 10 schools listed above (two secondary and 8 primary schools) - are participating in this tender. Please note this is a growing Trust where one additional schools may join during this tender process. Please note that any other schools not listed above that may join the Trust during the tenure of this new catering contract may, at the Trust’s discretion, be added to this contract.
Tender information:
The successful tenderer will be required to provide excellent catering services to the Schools. The contract term being tendered is for three years 1st September 2025 – 31st August 2028. There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 31st August 2030. (Please note that Emmbrook Infant School, Emmbrook Junior School and The Hawthorns Primary School will commence their new contract one month earlier on 1st August 2025) The contract offers an excellent opportunity to review and propose enhancements to the current catering services at all of the Schools within the Trust. This includes but is not limited to; breakfast, morning break, lunchtime and after school services, over the academic year of 190 days. The Trust is keen to secure one provider to deliver catering services to all schools. The Trust requires continuity of excellence in both service delivery and management across all schools, with the bespoke requirements of each unique school taken into account and accommodated in the offer. The Trust is keen to secure a high quality catering service including fresh locally sourced ingredients prepared on site, with a menu design that is flexible to suit the requirements of each of the school’s specific students. The Trust is proud of it’s ‘family ethos’ and expects both a tightly managed service and a management style delivered by the successful contractor that supports, encourages and develops the catering staff. The Trust is not obliged to accept the lowest price submitted for this tender, rather the school is keen to secure ‘best value’ from this contract and to deliver ‘best value’ to it’s students. Innovative and creative ideas as to how the services can be developed and value added, will be welcomed. The Trust seeks a contractor that is keen to work in partnership and who will deliver to it’s highest abilities, at all times
The value of this contract is £6,141,755. The contract shall be a guaranteed performance contract with any hospitality requirements billed separately
Additional requirements and information:
•The Trust has a minimum requirement for a contractor’s employers' liability and public liability insurance of £5 million
•The minimum annual turnover that your company must have achieved to be considered for this opportunity is £1 million
•There are not any incumbent catering staff currently within the Local Government Pension Scheme at the schools
•The catering services are currently provided by: The School Lunch Company for Badgemore Primary School, Dolce for Emmbrook Infant School, Emmbrook Junior School and The Hawthorns Primary School, Aspens for all other schools
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 70
Cost criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 30
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://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/355J96W4XR
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: 2024/S 000-037089
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
12 May 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 5
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: 5
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 5
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Culinera Limited
Rose House, Old Saw Mill Place, Little Chalfont, Amersham
Buckinghamshire
HP6 6FA
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ13 - Buckinghamshire CC
National registration number
12382186
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £8,140,445
Total value of the contract/lot: £8,140,445
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
To view this notice, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=974269790 GO Reference: GO-2025910-PRO-32261981
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The Circle Trust
The Oval Offices c/o St Crispin’s School, London Road
Wokingham
RG40 1SS
Country
United Kingdom