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.
Contract 1. Community Schools Trust Cleaning Tender
Supplier
Contract value
- £3,617,127 excluding VAT
- £4,340,552 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
25 September 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
25 September 2025
Earliest date the contract will be signed
8 October 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2028
- Possible extension to 31 October 2030
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
An additional two years of contract tenure are possible subject to satisfactory performance and client approval.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 90919300 - School cleaning services
Information about tenders
- 4 tenders received
- 1 tender assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Submission
Submission type
Requests to participate
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Supplier
Birkin Cleaning Services Limited
- Companies House: 01057375
Magnet Road, West Thurrock, Grays
Essex
RM20 4DP
United Kingdom
Email: info@birkingroup.co.uk
Website: http://www.birkingroup.co.uk
Region: UKH32 - Thurrock
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Community Schools Trust Cleaning Tender
Contracting authority
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS TRUST
- Companies House: 10337377
Forest Gate Community School
London
E7 9BB
United Kingdom
Contact name: Cohesion Procurement Team
Telephone: +441892251001
Email: info@cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Website: http://www.communityschoolstrust.org
Region: UKI41 - Hackney and Newham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government