School catering services

Tender description

JCoSS is a state-funded pluralist Jewish secondary school situated in New Barnet, which opened in 2010 with a cohort of 157 students and has steadily grown year on year. The school is now fully occupied with over 1 300 students and 200 staff, and we plan to expand to offer a further 140 places in the coming years. The catering provision is Kosher, the uptake is high and the standards are good. The service is currently contracted and the client is now testing the market to ensure excellent quality food continues to be provided at best value cost to the students and staff. We are seeking to appoint a Supplier whose initiative and innovation will focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The client will wish the successful supplier to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for 3 years in duration from 1.9.2020 to 31.8.2023 with the option to extend for up to a further 2 years at the discretion of the client. This contract will operate as a guaranteed performance contract, with the successful supplier offering the client a guaranteed return/cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the client 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 school will be open to receive students for the standard 190 days. The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all school catering services, which currently includes morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Free school meals are to be charged on uptake with a margin attached and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost. Whilst the client 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 client 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 in a kosher meat canteen, and dairy cafe. 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, any consideration regarding inward capital investment as part of the supplier’s tender submission would be welcomed. Please be advised: — this contract will be let on a 3 + 2 years basis, — there no catering staff in the LGPS, — the catering service is currently contracted to Caterlink, — the client has a minimum requirement for a supplier’s employer’s liability, public liability and professional indemnity insurance of 10 000 000 GBP.