UK-Kent: School catering services.
Section I: Contracting Authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Thinking Schools Academy Trust
New Horizons Children’s Academy, ChathamPark Crescent, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6NR, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 1276673880, Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/
NUTS Code: UKJ4
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract involves joint procurement: Yes.
In the case of joint procurement involving different countries, state applicable national procurement law: Not provided
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body: No.
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/Q39J3Q757N
Additional information can be obtained from: the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at: Not provided
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Education

Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title: Thinking Schools Academy Trust ~ Catering Tender
Reference Number: Not provided
II.1.2) Main CPV Code:
55524000 - School catering services.

II.1.3) Type of contract: SERVICES
II.1.4) Short description: The Thinking Schools Academy Trust is seeking to appoint partner(s) for the provision of catering services, to our family of schools.
II.1.5) Estimated total value:
Value excluding VAT: 24,606,810
Currency: GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots:
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for: All lots
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: Not provided
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots: Not provided

II.2) Description
II.2) Description Lot No. 1

II.2.1) Title: Lot 1 ~ Kent & Essex
Lot No: 1
II.2.2) Additional CPV codes:
55524000 - School catering services.

II.2.3) Place of performance:
UKJ4 Kent

II.2.4) Description of procurement: There are 6 secondary and 4 primary schools in this Lot.
Please see SQ Document for more information.
II.2.5) Award criteria:
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value:
Value excluding VAT: 12,208,495
Currency: GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system:
Start: 01/08/2025 / End: 31/07/2030
This contract is subject to renewal: No
Description of renewals: Not provided
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited:
Envisaged minimum number: 5
/ Maximum number: 10
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: A minimum of 5 suppliers and a maximum of 10 suppliers will be taken forward to the tender stage of the process. Where less than 5 suppliers meet the minimum standards, only those that meet the minimum standards will be taken through to the tender stage. Where more than 5 suppliers meet the minimum standard, those suppliers with the highest scores will proceed to the tender stage.
II.2.10) Information about variants:
Variants will be accepted: Yes
II.2.11) Information about options:
Options: No
Description of options: Not provided
II.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues:
Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue: No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds:
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Identification of the project: Not provided
II.2.14) Additional information: To bid for the Lots, please use the below Links:

Lot 1 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/Q39J3Q757N
Lot 2 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/R4766523JM
Lot 3 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/EX7PA37RU4
II.2) Description Lot No. 2

II.2.1) Title: Lot 2 ~ Portsmouth
Lot No: 2
II.2.2) Additional CPV codes:
55524000 - School catering services.

II.2.3) Place of performance:
UKJ31 Portsmouth

II.2.4) Description of procurement: There are 6 secondary and 4 primary schools in this Lot.
Please see SQ Document for more information.
II.2.5) Award criteria:
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value:
Value excluding VAT: 4,773,655
Currency: GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system:
Start: 01/08/2025 / End: 31/07/2030
This contract is subject to renewal: No
Description of renewals: Not provided
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited:
Envisaged minimum number: 5
/ Maximum number: 10
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: A minimum of 5 suppliers and a maximum of 10 suppliers will be taken forward to the tender stage of the process. Where less than 5 suppliers meet the minimum standards, only those that meet the minimum standards will be taken through to the tender stage. Where more than 5 suppliers meet the minimum standard, those suppliers with the highest scores will proceed to the tender stage.
II.2.10) Information about variants:
Variants will be accepted: Yes
II.2.11) Information about options:
Options: No
Description of options: Not provided
II.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues:
Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue: No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds:
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Identification of the project: Not provided
II.2.14) Additional information: To bid for the Lots, please use the below Links:

Lot 1 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/Q39J3Q757N
Lot 2 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/R4766523JM
Lot 3 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/EX7PA37RU4
II.2) Description Lot No. 3

II.2.1) Title: Lot 3 ~ Devon
Lot No: 3
II.2.2) Additional CPV codes:
55524000 - School catering services.

II.2.3) Place of performance:
UKK4 Devon

II.2.4) Description of procurement: There are 4 secondary and 3 primary schools in this Lot, split across 2 distinctive areas, Plymouth and Torbay.
Please see SQ Document for more information.
II.2.5) Award criteria:
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6) Estimated value:
Value excluding VAT: 7,624,660
Currency: GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system:
Start: 01/08/2025 / End: 31/07/2030
This contract is subject to renewal: No
Description of renewals: Not provided
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited:
Envisaged minimum number: 5
/ Maximum number: 10
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: A minimum of 5 suppliers and a maximum of 10 suppliers will be taken forward to the tender stage of the process. Where less than 5 suppliers meet the minimum standards, only those that meet the minimum standards will be taken through to the tender stage. Where more than 5 suppliers meet the minimum standard, those suppliers with the highest scores will proceed to the tender stage.
II.2.10) Information about variants:
Variants will be accepted: Yes
II.2.11) Information about options:
Options: No
Description of options: Not provided
II.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues:
Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue: No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds:
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Identification of the project: Not provided
II.2.14) Additional information: To bid for the Lots, please use the below Links:

Lot 1 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/Q39J3Q757N
Lot 2 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/R4766523JM
Lot 3 - https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/EX7PA37RU4


Section III: Legal, Economic, Financial And Technical Information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
List and brief description of conditions:
Not Provided
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Not Provided
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required (if applicable) :
Not Provided
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
List and brief description of selection criteria:
Not Provided
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required (if applicable) :
Not Provided
III.1.5) Information about reserved contracts (if applicable)
The contract is reserved to sheltered workshops and economic operators aiming at the social and professional integration of disabled or disadvantaged persons: No
The execution of the contract is restricted to the framework of sheltered employment programmes: No

III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.1) Information about a particular profession
Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision:
Not Provided
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Not Provided
III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract: No

Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description RESTRICTED
IV.1.1) Type of procedure: Restricted

IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement - NO
The procurement involves the setting up of a dynamic purchasing system - NO
In the case of framework agreements justification for any duration exceeding 4 years: Not Provided


IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction:
An electronic auction will be used: No
Additional information about electronic auction: Not provided
IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure:
Notice number in the OJ S: Not provided
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date: 30/08/2024 Time: 12:00
IV.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates: 04/11/2024
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English,
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender: Not Provided


Section VI: Complementary Information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Not provided
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used Yes
Electronic invoicing will be accepted Yes
Electronic payment will be used Yes
VI.3) Additional Information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.
It will be the supplier's responsibility to obtain any necessary documents in order to submit a response by the closing date and time.

The contracting authority reserves the right not to award any or part of the contract which is the subject of this contract notice and reserves the right to terminate the procurement process at any time.

The contracting authority will not be liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in tendering for this contract opportunity.

The contracting authority will consider variant bids, evaluating them (so far as the variant or the evaluation of the variant is in the opinion of the contracting authority practicable) on the same basis as a conforming bid, but shall not be obliged to accept any such bid in preference to a conforming bid even if the variant bid scores more highly. No variant will be considered unless the bidder simultaneously submits a conforming bid.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Kent:-School-catering-services./Q39J3Q757N

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/Q39J3Q757N
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body:
Thinking Schools Academy Trust
New Horizons Children’s Academy, Park Crescent, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6NR, United Kingdom
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures:
Not provided
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
Not Provided
VI.4.4) Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained:
Not provided
VI.5) Date Of Dispatch Of This Notice: 19/07/2024

Annex A



IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
1: Contracting Authority
Maritime Academy
Romany Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME8 6JH, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/maritime-academy/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
2: Contracting Authority
Holcombe Grammar School
Letchworth Avenue, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6JB, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/holcombe-grammar-school/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
3: Contracting Authority
The Victory Academy
Magpie Hall Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 5JB, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/the-victory-academy/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
4: Contracting Authority
The Rochester Grammar School
Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 3BY, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/the-rochester-grammar-school/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
5: Contracting Authority
Goodwin Academy
Hamilton Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 9BD, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/goodwin-academy/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
6: Contracting Authority
Colchester Royal Grammar School
6 Lexden Road, Colchester, Essex, CO3 3ND, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/colchester-royal-grammar-school/
NUTS Code: UKH3

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
7: Contracting Authority
New Horizons Children’s Academy
Park Crescent, Chatham, Kent, ME4 6NR, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/new-horizons-childrens-academy/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
8: Contracting Authority
Cedar Children’s Academy
Cedar Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent, ME2 2JP, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/cedar-childrens-academy/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
9: Contracting Authority
All Faiths Children’s Academy
Gun Lane, Strood, Rochester, Kent, ME2 4UF, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.allfaithschildrensacademy.org.uk/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
10: Contracting Authority
The Gordon Children’s Academy
Gordon Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent, ME2 3HQ, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/the-gordon-childrens-academy/
NUTS Code: UKJ4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
11: Contracting Authority
Meon Infant School
Shelford Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 8NT, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/meon-infant-school/
NUTS Code: UKJ31

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
12: Contracting Authority
The Portsmouth Academy
St Mary’s Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PF, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/the-portsmouth-academy/
NUTS Code: UKJ31

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
13: Contracting Authority
Moorings Way Primary School
Moorings Way, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 8YJ, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/moorings-way-infant-school/
NUTS Code: UKJ31

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
14: Contracting Authority
Penbridge Infant School
Lincoln Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5BG, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/penbridge-school/
NUTS Code: UKJ31

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
15: Contracting Authority
Penbridge Junior School
New Road, Portsmouth, PO2 7RW, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/penbridge-school/
NUTS Code: UKJ31

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
16: Contracting Authority
New Horizons Primary School
Portchester Road, Portsmouth, PO2 7JB, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/new-horizons-primary-school/
NUTS Code: UKJ31

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
17: Contracting Authority
Plymouth High School for Girls
St Lawrence Road, North Hill, Plymouth, PL4 6HT, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/plymouth-high-school-for-girls/
NUTS Code: UKK41

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
18: Contracting Authority
Plympton Academy
Moorland Road, Plympton, Plymouth, PL7 2RS, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/plympton-academy/
NUTS Code: UKK41

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
19: Contracting Authority
Brixham College
Higher Ranscombe Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9HF, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/brixham-college/
NUTS Code: UKK4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
20: Contracting Authority
Paignton Academy
Waterleat Road, Paignton, TQ3 3WA, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/paignton-academy/
NUTS Code: UKK4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
21: Contracting Authority
Furzeham Primary & Nursery School
Higher Furzeham Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8BL, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/furzeham-primary-nursery-school/
NUTS Code: UKK4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
22: Contracting Authority
Kings Ash Academy
Pimm Road, Paignton, TQ3 3XA, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/kings-ash-academy/
NUTS Code: UKK4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
23: Contracting Authority
Curledge Street Academy
Curledge Street, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 5BA, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/curledge-street-academy/
NUTS Code: UKK4

IV) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing
Purchased on behalf of other contracting authority details:
24: Contracting Authority
Meon Junior School
Shelford Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 8NT, United Kingdom
Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.tsatrust.org.uk/our-academies/meon-junior-school/
NUTS Code: UKJ31