Scope
Reference
CCL_102
Description
Howard Primary School is a primary school in Croydon in the London Borough of Croydon with a student population of approximately 405 aged between 4 and 11 years of age. There is one busy main restaurant, equipped with a modern, well-maintained kitchen, serving as the hub of its catering provision.
The School Office Manager, in collaboration with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), is committed to enhancing the school's catering services. As part of this commitment, the school is tendering its catering contract to secure a provider that can deliver the very best service for every student at the school. The new contract will commence on 1st of August 2025 for an initial three-year term, with an option to extend for a further two years, subject to satisfactory performance and client agreement on budgets and service levels. The projected turnover for the three-year contract is expected to be circa £680,000.
This contract is designed to reward proactive management, ensuring high meal uptake, consistently high food quality and tangible contract support. The School, alongside CCL, expects the successful Contractor to reasonably guarantee their financial proposal and maintain excellent service standards.
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 School reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout.
The School Office Manager and SLT has outlined key priorities for this tender, including: A TUPE-compliant bid with recommendations for service equipment, serving points, staffing levels and a bespoke food concept to drive sales and uptake.
In short, the School seeks a trusted catering partner who can deliver their promises, achieve their sales targets, deliver their service enhancements in full. If bidders fail to demonstrate their ability to meet expectations, the school reserves the right to revert to an 'insourced' solution or post no award. Any investment proposals will need to be consistent with ESFA guidelines.
Contract 1. Howard Primary School Catering Tender
Supplier
Contract value
- £561,000 excluding VAT
- £673,200 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
11 November 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
11 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 24 November 2025
- 9 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
25 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 26 November 2025 to 25 November 2028
- Possible extension to 24 November 2030
- 4 years, 11 months, 29 days
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
- 55524000 - School catering services
Information about tenders
- 3 tenders received
- 3 tenders 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
- 2 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
Compass Contract Services (UK) Limited trading as Pabulum Ltd
- Companies House: 02114954
Parklands Court, 24 Parklands, Birmingham Great Park, Rubery
Birmingham
B45 9PZ
United Kingdom
Email: info@pabulum-catering.co.uk
Website: http://www.pabulum-catering.co.uk
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Howard Primary School Catering Tender
Contracting authority
Howard Primary School
- UK Register of Learning Providers (UKPRN number): 10079715
Dering Place
Croydon
CR0 1DT
United Kingdom
Contact name: Procurement Team
Telephone: +441892251001
Email: info@cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Website: http://www.howard.croydon.sch.uk
Region: UKI62 - Croydon
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.
Cohesion Consulting Ltd
Summary of their role in this procurement: Procurement and management consultancy for this tender
- Companies House: 13682273
16 Mount Pleasant, Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN1 1QU
United Kingdom
Contact name: Team Procurement Cohesion
Email: info@cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Website: http://www.cohesionconsulting.co.uk
Region: UKJ46 - West Kent