Wolverhampton Cluster ~ Catering Tender

Description

The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for the following Schools within the Wolverhampton Cluster. Lot 1: The contract covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the Schools, which also includes all hospitality and free issue requirements. The duration of the contract being offered is for an initial three-year period commencing on 01 September 2025, with the potential to extend for a further two 12-month periods. This extension will be granted by mutual consent and on the same terms and conditions as the original contract without the right to further extend beyond the full five years. The contract being offered within this tender will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with an expected profit share of any betterment to the agreed budget. The Cluster are seeking a suitably experienced, education catering contractor who is able to evidence working within Primary Schools of varying needs with the West Midlands. The successful contractor will already have or need to develop a strong operational base within the vicinity, thus allowing for both adequate contract support and operational flexibility that is to be delivered to support the contract as and when needed moving forwards into this contractual term. The services across the Schools are currently outsourced, and TUPE is expected to apply. It is anticipated that a number of the current employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and, in this instance, the successful contractor will be expected to gain Admitted Body Status (ABS) in order to continue contributing to the scheme. The Cluster wishes to achieve as a result of this tender process: 1.The provision of a healthy, balanced menu that meets nutritional guidelines and is enjoyed by all users of the service. This menu should be inclusive of those with special dietary requirements. 2.An innovative and flexible menu that is in keeping with current food trends. Offering frequent themed menus and initiatives that support the curriculum and various school led activities, ensuring the food offer remains varied and enticing to its customers. 3.Frequent parental engagement through the use of newsletters, websites, social media platforms (where applicable) and, most importantly, through direct involvement at parents’ evenings and open evenings. 4.Financial certainty and an understanding of the ongoing trading performance through the proactive provision of monthly trading data to support invoice charges, promoting an open book policy. It is expected that experienced and insightful contract management will promote good levels of communication and engagement across the Schools. A suitable marketing campaign to the students, staff and parents alike is imperative to promote the uptake of meals. This enhanced service should be supported by a well-trained catering team at the school, with a focus by the successful contractor on both craft training and customer service. There needs to be total transparency with accounts that are clear and easy to understand. The monthly invoice should be supported by a breakdown of the contract’s financial performance against budget. The contract offered will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with a proposed profit share of any betterment to that budget. To achieve overall value for money is an objective of this tender. However, please note that the Cluster is not obliged to accept the lowest price and the contract award will be in line with the marking matrix published within the tender specification where an overall focus will be given to food quality and innovation of the catering offer, as well the management support. At the end of this tender process, the Cluster will have the option to award their individual Lots, either full or in part, to the successful supplier(s). See SQ Document for more information. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/3XZ97JVWG8 Lot 2: The contract covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the Schools, which also includes all hospitality and free issue requirements. The duration of the contract being offered is for an initial three-year period commencing on 01 September 2025, with the potential to extend for a further two 12-month periods. This extension will be granted by mutual consent and on the same terms and conditions as the original contract without the right to further extend beyond the full five years. The contract being offered within this tender will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with an expected profit share of any betterment to the agreed budget. The Cluster are seeking a suitably experienced, education catering contractor who is able to evidence working within Primary Schools of varying needs with the West Midlands. The successful contractor will already have or need to develop a strong operational base within the vicinity, thus allowing for both adequate contract support and operational flexibility that is to be delivered to support the contract as and when needed moving forwards into this contractual term. The services across the Schools are currently outsourced, and TUPE is expected to apply. It is anticipated that a number of the current employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and, in this instance, the successful contractor will be expected to gain Admitted Body Status (ABS) in order to continue contributing to the scheme. The Cluster wishes to achieve as a result of this tender process: 1.The provision of a healthy, balanced menu that meets nutritional guidelines and is enjoyed by all users of the service. This menu should be inclusive of those with special dietary requirements. 2.An innovative and flexible menu that is in keeping with current food trends. Offering frequent themed menus and initiatives that support the curriculum and various school led activities, ensuring the food offer remains varied and enticing to its customers. 3.Frequent parental engagement through the use of newsletters, websites, social media platforms (where applicable) and, most importantly, through direct involvement at parents’ evenings and open evenings. 4.Financial certainty and an understanding of the ongoing trading performance through the proactive provision of monthly trading data to support invoice charges, promoting an open book policy. It is expected that experienced and insightful contract management will promote good levels of communication and engagement across the Schools. A suitable marketing campaign to the students, staff and parents alike is imperative to promote the uptake of meals. This enhanced service should be supported by a well-trained catering team at the school, with a focus by the successful contractor on both craft training and customer service. There needs to be total transparency with accounts that are clear and easy to understand. The monthly invoice should be supported by a breakdown of the contract’s financial performance against budget. The contract offered will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with a proposed profit share of any betterment to that budget. To achieve overall value for money is an objective of this tender. However, please note that the Cluster is not obliged to accept the lowest price and the contract award will be in line with the marking matrix published within the tender specification where an overall focus will be given to food quality and innovation of the catering offer, as well the management support. At the end of this tender process, the Cluster will have the option to award their individual Lots, either full or in part, to the successful supplier(s). See SQ document for more information Lot 3: The contract covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the Schools, which also includes all hospitality and free issue requirements. The duration of the contract being offered is for an initial three-year period commencing on 01 September 2025, with the potential to extend for a further two 12-month periods. This extension will be granted by mutual consent and on the same terms and conditions as the original contract without the right to further extend beyond the full five years. The contract being offered within this tender will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with an expected profit share of any betterment to the agreed budget. The Cluster are seeking a suitably experienced, education catering contractor who is able to evidence working within Primary Schools of varying needs with the West Midlands. The successful contractor will already have or need to develop a strong operational base within the vicinity, thus allowing for both adequate contract support and operational flexibility that is to be delivered to support the contract as and when needed moving forwards into this contractual term. The services across the Schools are currently outsourced, and TUPE is expected to apply. It is anticipated that a number of the current employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and, in this instance, the successful contractor will be expected to gain Admitted Body Status (ABS) in order to continue contributing to the scheme. The Cluster wishes to achieve as a result of this tender process: 1.The provision of a healthy, balanced menu that meets nutritional guidelines and is enjoyed by all users of the service. This menu should be inclusive of those with special dietary requirements. 2.An innovative and flexible menu that is in keeping with current food trends. Offering frequent themed menus and initiatives that support the curriculum and various school led activities, ensuring the food offer remains varied and enticing to its customers. 3.Frequent parental engagement through the use of newsletters, websites, social media platforms (where applicable) and, most importantly, through direct involvement at parents’ evenings and open evenings. 4.Financial certainty and an understanding of the ongoing trading performance through the proactive provision of monthly trading data to support invoice charges, promoting an open book policy. It is expected that experienced and insightful contract management will promote good levels of communication and engagement across the Schools. A suitable marketing campaign to the students, staff and parents alike is imperative to promote the uptake of meals. This enhanced service should be supported by a well-trained catering team at the school, with a focus by the successful contractor on both craft training and customer service. There needs to be total transparency with accounts that are clear and easy to understand. The monthly invoice should be supported by a breakdown of the contract’s financial performance against budget. The contract offered will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with a proposed profit share of any betterment to that budget. To achieve overall value for money is an objective of this tender. However, please note that the Cluster is not obliged to accept the lowest price and the contract award will be in line with the marking matrix published within the tender specification where an overall focus will be given to food quality and innovation of the catering offer, as well the management support. At the end of this tender process, the Cluster will have the option to award their individual Lots, either full or in part, to the successful supplier(s). See SQ Document for more information Lot 4: The Cluster are seeking a suitably experienced, education catering contractor who is able to evidence working within Primary Schools of varying needs with the West Midlands. The successful contractor will already have or need to develop a strong operational base within the vicinity, thus allowing for both adequate contract support and operational flexibility that is to be delivered to support the contract as and when needed moving forwards into this contractual term. The services across the Schools are currently outsourced, and TUPE is expected to apply. It is anticipated that a number of the current employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and, in this instance, the successful contractor will be expected to gain Admitted Body Status (ABS) in order to continue contributing to the scheme. The Cluster wishes to achieve as a result of this tender process: 1.The provision of a healthy, balanced menu that meets nutritional guidelines and is enjoyed by all users of the service. This menu should be inclusive of those with special dietary requirements. 2.An innovative and flexible menu that is in keeping with current food trends. Offering frequent themed menus and initiatives that support the curriculum and various school led activities, ensuring the food offer remains varied and enticing to its customers. 3.Frequent parental engagement through the use of newsletters, websites, social media platforms (where applicable) and, most importantly, through direct involvement at parents’ evenings and open evenings. 4.Financial certainty and an understanding of the ongoing trading performance through the proactive provision of monthly trading data to support invoice charges, promoting an open book policy. It is expected that experienced and insightful contract management will promote good levels of communication and engagement across the Schools. A suitable marketing campaign to the students, staff and parents alike is imperative to promote the uptake of meals. This enhanced service should be supported by a well-trained catering team at the school, with a focus by the successful contractor on both craft training and customer service. There needs to be total transparency with accounts that are clear and easy to understand. The monthly invoice should be supported by a breakdown of the contract’s financial performance against budget. The contract offered will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with a proposed profit share of any betterment to that budget. To achieve overall value for money is an objective of this tender. However, please note that the Cluster is not obliged to accept the lowest price and the contract award will be in line with the marking matrix published within the tender specification where an overall focus will be given to food quality and innovation of the catering offer, as well the management support. At the end of this tender process, the Cluster will have the option to award their individual Lots, either full or in part, to the successful supplier(s). See SQ document for more information