School catering services

Description

The tender project is seeking to appoint a supplier whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities for the 12 primary schools. The Trust has 3 950 students on its roll, along with 721 teaching and support staff, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The Trust would wish the successful supplier to review the current range of services offered, as well as to looking at the delivery of the current catering service and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 2 November 2020 to 1 November 2023 with the option to extend for a further 2 years, the extension would only be for 1 year at a time and will operate as a guaranteed performance contract, with the successful supplier offering the Trust a guaranteed return/cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the Trust for the duration of this contract. The academic year is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five days are to be used for staff professional development which means that the schools will be open to receive students for the legal minimum of 190 days. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the schools, which currently includes morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Free school meals and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost. The successful supplier will be expected to maximise the sourcing of fresh produce on a local basis, as well as provide support on educating the pupils in healthy eating and where food comes from. Whilst the Trust prioritises value for money as a key objective of the competitive tender process, the governing body is not obliged to accept the lowest price. The value of the current contract is circa GBP 1 000 000 per annum. Please note that the successful supplier will pay the Litmus Partnership a consultancy fee on award of this contract, which will be to the value of GBP 10 500.00 plus VAT. This fee will be invoiced immediately after the 10-day standstill period ends on 28 September 2020. To ensure transparency, you will clearly show within your management fee a breakdown of this consultancy fee, over the length of the contract. The total fee will be paid by the successful supplier, in full to the Litmus Partnership, by no later than Monday 12 October 2020. This fee covers the provision of services to the following schools: • Angel Road Infant School, 81 Angel Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 3HR; • Angel Road Junior School, Angel Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR3 3HS; • Bignold Primary School, Wessex Street, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 2SY; • Coldfair Green Primary School, Judith Avenue, Knodishall, Suffolk, IP17 1UY; • Costessey Primary School, Three Mile Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR5 0RR; • Dell Primary School, Dell Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 9NT; • Eaton Primary School, Duverlin Close, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 6HS; • Elm Tree Primary School, Ranworth Avenue, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 9HN — to commence January 2021; • Filby Primary School, Thrigby Road, Filby, Norfolk, NR29 3HJ; • Nelson Infant School, Northumberland Street, Norwich, NR2 4DR; • Poplars Primary School, St Margaret’s Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 4HN; • Wensum Junior School, Wensum Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4HB. The Trust expects the successful supplier to enable the continued development of catering through the provision of an innovative, healthy food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients being prepared on-site. The Trust expects the successful supplier to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of every child matters. The Trust believes that success should be celebrated and that pupils should enjoy their time at school; if lessons are stimulating and challenging then students will love learning. Much time therefore, is spent reviewing and planning schemes of work to ensure that they are differentiated to meet the needs of all students. As a Trust who are continually seeking ways to improve and develop the ethos and environment for students and staff, to give them the facilities they deserve and need to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, any consideration regarding inward capital investment as part of the supplier’s tender submission would be welcomed. The Trust would wish for the supplier to look at making this investment within Elm Tree Primary and Eaton Primary Schools kitchens. Please be advised that this contract will be let on a 3 + 1 + 1 basis. Further information is provided in the SQ document.