Hinchingbrooke School - Catering Services

Tender description

Hinchingbrooke is a remarkable state school. Set in acres of beautiful grounds and adjoining a country park, Hinchingbrooke House was formerly the family home of Oliver Cromwell and of the Earls of Sandwich. The School finds inspiration from its heritage and gives both staff and students a very special pride and a sense of identity. The School has approximately 2,000 pupils, including a large sixth form. The tender project is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities for the students, teaching and support staff, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The School would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the School, which also includes all hospitality and free issue requirements, which are to be recharged on consumption at ‘net’ food cost only. In addition to the main services provided, there is also a commercial aspect to the contract providing catering services to weddings, private functions, etc. The value of the commercial business is currently approximately £300k. The successful contractor would be expected to develop this service further to achieve maximum potential. The successful contractor would be expected to offer a guaranteed return to the School for the provision of this service. The duration of the contract being offered is initially for three years commencing on 1 July 2016 and concluding on 30 June 2019. There will be an option to extend the contract for a further two years by mutual agreement. It will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the School a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of core catering services. In addition, as highlighted above, the commercial contract will operate on a guaranteed return. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with Hinchingbrooke School for the duration of this contract. As a school 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, the School are looking for the successful tenderer to provide inward capital investment to refresh and rejuvenate the catering facilities thus improving on the current provision. This will be discussed in more detail with shortlisted companies at the site meeting. The quality of food provision will be critical and indeed your organisation must be flexible enough to source bakery, meat, fruit and vegetables and dairy products through local suppliers based no more than 20 miles from the School. It is expected that menus will feature and utilise products in season when available.