School catering services

Description

The successful tenderer will be required to provide sector-leading catering services on a fully outsourced basis at the College campus. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services, including traditional meals and snacks, bursary meals, coffee and retail shops, automatic vending and hospitality/events for students, staff and visitors. Commencing on 1.8.2018, the contract will be offered for a period of 3 years with an option to extend for 2 periods of 1 year thereafter subject to the agreement of both parties. The contract will operate on a guaranteed performance basis with a concessionary return or fixed cost from the Supplier to the College. With an extensive campus located on the outskirts of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, the College is a leading provider of Sixth Form education to circa 2350 (16-18) students. In May 2016, the college was assessed as “Outstanding” in all inspection domains following OFSTED review. They are the first Sixth Form College to receive such an accolade under the new inspection framework. Catering services at the College have been outsourced for over 16 years with dining and kitchen facilities having received constant and significant investment for development. Outlets now include a Costa coffee shop, traditional and hot snacks servery area, salad bars and an extensive retail shop facility, centrally located and opened in September 2017. Managed services are supplemented by automatic vending of snacks and drinks in various locations. Due to high levels of dining uptake and increased student numbers, plans are in hand for further expansion of the central dining area in 2018. A cash/cashless payment system is operated at all outlets. The successful supplier will be required to demonstrate exceptional knowledge and experience of sixth form sector catering requirements and assure of their ability to support the catering team to meet such needs. Actively promoting a fresh food ethos with an interesting and age-appropriate food and drink offer reflecting popular market trends will be vital. The supplier will also be required to agree with the College a mechanism for annual tariff review that will ensure real value for money for students is maintained. Tenderers should assume that the provisions of TUPE will apply to any transferring employees. We are informed that none of the staff are currently members of a local government pension scheme. Interested organisations should please register their interest and contact details via email only to the stated contact point, quoting the contract reference HNC19. A Selection Questionnaire will be issued to those expressing interest for completion. Following selection of (a maximum of 5) bidders, an Invitation to Tender pack and site tour will be provided as the second stage of this restricted procedure. The College will be aiming to award a contract during April 2018, however reserve the right not to award a contract, either wholly or in part and to cease the procurement process at any time.