Scope
Description
The school is seeking a high quality secondary school catering service from a reputable supplier on a fixed cost basis.
The school may work with other local primary schools over the life of the contract as a production / delivery kitchen - any future provision to these schools will be undertaken in partnership between the school, the successful bidder and the local school(s)
Total value (estimated)
- £1,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,200,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
- Possible extension to 31 August 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
Extensions will be available as 2 x 12 month periods, subject to both parties agreeing in writing
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKJ13 - Buckinghamshire CC
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
31 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
31 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
7 April 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 70% |
| Price | Price | 30% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Competitive flexible procedure description
This catering tender is a two step process. The first stage is to find up to five suitably qualified suppliers from the wider contract catering market, and then invite the shortlisted suppliers to a second stage.
The second stage will be used to select the Most Advantageous Tender response. The second stage will include the submission of a financial offer and a written response.
These submissions will be moderated, with up to four bidders being invited to a presentation. Further moderation of the bids will be undertaken by the school, which will include obtaining satisfactory references of the preferred bidders.
The scope of the tender may develop over the project, as additional local schools may seek the provision of a delivered meal service from Cressex Community School and the successful bidder.
Contracting authority
Cressex Community School
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPWW-1759-GXXP
Holmers Lane
High Wycombe
HP12 4QA
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ13 - Buckinghamshire CC
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government