School catering services

Tender description

Plashet School is a maintained girl’s secondary school in East Ham, London, within the Borough of Newham. The school operates on a split site, joined by a short footbridge over Plashet Grove. The North site kitchen caters for years 7 and 8, the South site for years 9 to 11. 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 1440 students (increasing to 1 500 by Sept 2021) on roll and 189 teaching and support staff, with a 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 August 2020 to July 2023 with the option to extend for 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. 5 days are to be used for staff professional development which means that the school will be open to receive students for the legal minimum of 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 onsite. The client 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 client 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. 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 that: • this contract will be let on a 3 + 2 years basis; • there are currently 11 staff employed to deliver the catering service; • there are current catering staff in the LGPS; • the catering service is currently contracted to Olive Dining; • the client has a minimum requirement for a supplier’s employer’s liability/public liability and professional indemnity insurance of GBP 5 million; • the minimum annual turnover that your organisation must have achieved to be considered for this opportunity is GBP 1 million; • the client reserves the right not to award a contract as a result of the procurement process.