Scope
Description
Tender Schedule:
Issue of Invitation to Tender - 31st October 2025
Bidding Companies to Visit Sites - 21st November 2025
Clarification Deadline - 5th January 2026
Clarification Return Deadline - 7th January 2026
Deadline for return of Tender Responses - 12th January 2026 - 12:00pm
Presentation by shortlisted bidders - 4th March 2026
Reference site visits - w/c 9th March 2026
Contract Awarded by - By 13th March 2025
Mobilisation Meeting - w/c 30th March 2026
Contract Commencement - 1st September 2026
The Cromwell Learning Community Academy 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.
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, imaginative, provide good value for money and be nutritionally balanced to encourage all students to make an educated choice.
The Trust's objectives for the new contract are as follows:-
• A catering service that is well managed and requires minimal involvement from the Trust's management team.
• A strong Contractor 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 Trust.
• Investment in the Trust's Catering service through increased marketing in return for a tenure of contract.
• A higher number of students and staff using the facilities by providing a high quality, affordable and nutritious meal.
• A catering service that encourages students to take a heathy and balanced meal.
• Food and drinks that look appetising and are attractively presented.
• A hospitality service that will help showcase the Trust through events to parents and visitors.
• A Contractor that adopts a flexible and proactive approach to all Trust activities.
• A service that is professionally merchandised and marketed with discretion and to the mutual benefit of the Trust and the Contractor.
• A Contractor that operates using the optimum level of staffing.
The schools involved in the process are:
• Bordesley Village Primary School
• Cromwell Junior and Infants School
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £1,151,349.96 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:
3 years initial contract and then 2 optional 1 year extension taking the contract to a maximum of 5 years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 55524000 - School catering services
Contract locations
- UKG31 - Birmingham
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
31 August 2031
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Weighting criteria is included:
50% Quality and 50% Financial.
Award method when using the framework
With competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
5 January 2026, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
12 January 2026, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Please submit files to the Red Box Portal at: https://redboxportal.com/dashboard
Please also email all Tender responses to admin@redboxcs.com FAO William Turner-Meadows.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
13 March 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Scoring | Cost | 50% |
| Quality Section | Quality | 50% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://redboxportal.com/dashboard
Please request documents from admin@redboxcs.com
Contracting authority
CROMWELL LEARNING COMMUNITY ACADEMY TRUST
- Companies House: 10465397
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVVY-1537-RNPN
C/O Cromwell Junior And Infant School
Birmingham
B7 5BA
United Kingdom
Email: enquiry@cromwell.bham.sch.uk
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
RED BOX CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
Summary of their role in this procurement: Consultancy supporting with Tender Process
- Companies House: 05126781
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDBY-5265-PHLM
1 Innisfree Close
North Yorkshire
HG2 8PL
United Kingdom
Email: admin@redboxcs.com
Region: UKE22 - North Yorkshire CC