Academies for Character & Excellence Provision of Catering Services

Tender description

As of 1st January 2024, The Trust has onboarded 6 new primary schools from Redstart Learning Trust. The proposed contract will be for the provision of a catering service to the Trust for these schools. It is the Trust’s expectation that the Bidder shall be responsible for the operation of the catering function including employment and management of staff, the TUPE and management of existing staff, supply of food, consumables, vehicles for food transportation and light equipment and preparing and serving appropriate meals. The Trust will retain responsibility for payment of utilities and the operation and maintenance of core catering equipment and facilities. The Bidder shall establish effective management and operational level communication systems at all levels regarding the catering service with the Trust. The Bidder will also be responsible for all legal, and health and safety requirements in delivering the services. The Bidder will provide a range of good quality, nutritious, attractively presented meals for pupils and staff, that comply with the Government’s current and future minimum nutritional and food- based standards for the educational sector. Meals should reflect growth in healthy eating trends, promote uptake, and comply with the Ofsted guidance for catering. The Bidder shall establish effective management and operational level communication systems at all levels regarding the catering service with customers that include: School management, parents, and pupils. In addition, the contactor will also be responsible for all legal and health and safety & food safety requirements in delivering the catering services. Lot 1: Lot A The Trust is seeking a Contractor that will deliver the catering service through an “Outsourced Service Model” for this contract which will include all food and staff provision to support the delivery of the catering service requirement. The Trust is seeking contractors that will deliver a high quality service, whilst delivering value for money for schools, parents and pupils using the services. The Contractor will be responsible for TUPE of existing staff and deliver a catering service that encompasses the food preparation, transportation, delivery and meal distribution for the school sites pertaining to this contract. As there may not be the option of production kitchens available to the Contractor, the Trust requires a catering service delivery solution that will meet the specification requirements for this contract. Lot A – Outsourced Service Lot 2: Lot B The Trust is seeking a Contractor that will deliver the catering service through a “Managed Service Model” for this contract to support the delivery of in-house catering. The Trust is seeking contractors that will deliver a high quality service, whilst delivering value for money for schools, parents and pupils using the services. As there may not be the option of production kitchens available to the Contractor, the Trust requires a catering service delivery solution that will meet the specification requirements for this contract. It is the expectation that the Applicant shall provide: a. The provision of a food ordering system for the catering manager to order from and the provision of a food supply chain that will deliver the proposed menu. b. Full menu planning with associated food ordering and recipe instructions, provide a range of good quality, nutritious, attractively presented meals for pupils and staff, that comply with Government’s minimum nutritional and food- based standards for the educational sector. Meals should reflect growth in healthy eating trends, promote uptake, and comply with the Ofsted guidance for catering. c. Training of the catering team to ensure they can cook and provide the catering service efficiently and to a high quality, in accordance with the proposed menus. d. A compliance and audit service that ensures the schools are meeting required legal and H&S and food safety requirements. e. Work with the schools to establish effective management and operational level communication systems at all levels regarding the catering service with the Trust. Lot B – Managed Service