UK-Hereford: School catering services.

Section I: Contracting Authority

I.1) Name, Addresses and Contact Point(s):
Royal National College for the Blind
Venns Ln, Esh Plaza, Sir Bobby Robson Wa, Hereford, HR1 1DT, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 1276673880, Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
Main Address: https://www.rnc.ac.uk/
NUTS Code: UKG1

I.2) Joint procurement:
The contract involves joint procurement: No
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.4)Type of the contracting authority:
Body governed by public law

I.5) Main activity:
Education

Section II: Object Of The Contract

II.1) Scope of the procurement

II.1.1) Title: Royal National College for the Blind ~ 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 Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is honoured to be the UK’s leading specialist residential College of further education for people with a visual impairment.

II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No

II.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value: 1,016,291.56

Currency:GBP

II.2) Description

II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s):
Not Provided

II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code:
UKG1 - Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire

Main site or place of performance:
Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire


II.2.4) Description of the procurement: The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is honoured to be the UK’s leading specialist residential College of further education for people with a visual impairment. Since 1872, RNC have been building on their expertise and successes, which enable the College to offer a variety of products and services to a diverse audience. It’s not all about education for the 80 or so learners who come through the doors each year – the College also offer specialist training and support to businesses and other education providers and specialist professionals working with visually impaired people.
The College is proud of its history of over 140 years and the pioneering work it continues to do, including sports, lobbying, work based learning and independent living skills. Partnerships with key organisations, businesses and individuals enables the student body to participate in a range of activities from Duke of Edinburgh Awards to national elite sports events – amazing experiences that students feel really add to and change their lives. The Royal National College for the Blind is a College with a difference and their aim is simple: to empower their Students with the skills, confidence and independence they need to realise their potential and take the next step towards their future. RNC is big enough to provide all the opportunities, resources and support Students are looking for, but small enough to offer an individual and special learning experience.
The Royal National College for the Blind is the UK’s leading specialist residential College for people aged 16+ who are blind or visually impaired. With over 140 years’ experience, the College stands firm in its original aim to enable each and every student to achieve their potential and engage fully in their community.
RNC Vision People with visual impairment have true equality.
RNC Mission Education, employment and empowerment for people with a visual impairment
Since 2007 the College has owned and operated a sports centre and gym that is open seven days a week to members of the public. As part of this facility there is a Pod area serving food and beverages to the users of the centre, staff and students, and visitors to the College.
The College also run a number of conferences and events during the year for which the successful tenderer will be required to provide catering services.
The successful tenderer will therefore be required to provide all catering services at Royal National College for the Blind, and to develop and significantly grow the food and beverage provision at the Pod therefore increasing its profitability.
The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1 Aug 2025 until 31 July 2028, with the option to extend the contract term for a further term of up to two, one years and will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the College a guaranteed cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with Royal National College for the Blind for the duration of this contract.
The College year is based on a calendar of 36 weeks for students; however, the sports centre and gym are open to the public 52 weeks. The catering service for students can be reduced in non-term time, however a service will be required for any conferences and events, and a full service will still be required for catering to the public from the Coffee Pod.
There are up to 100 students who are residential students and who reside within the College for five or seven days per week, over 36 weeks per annum.
These students will receive, as part of their daily meal entitlement, the following provision:
•Lunch
•Evening Meal
In addition, student self-catering Breakfast Provisions are sent to the halls, which are to be supplied by the successful contractor.

Please see SQ document for more information.

II.2.5) Award criteria:
Not Provided

II.2.11) Information about options
Options: 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


II.2.14) Additional information: Please note, this is a Contract Award Notice - this contract has already been awarded.


Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

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
A dynamic purchasing system was set up: No

IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction has been used: No

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 OJEU: 2024/S 000-040524



IV.2.9) Information about termination of call for competition in the form of a prior information notice
The contracting authority will not award any further contracts based on the above prior information notice: No

Section V: Award of contract

Award Of Contract (No.1)

Contract No: Not Provided
Lot Number: Not Provided
Title: Not Provided

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes


V.2) Award of contract

V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract: 19/05/2025

V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: Not Provided
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: Not Provided
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: Not Provided
Number of tenders received by electronic means: Not Provided

V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

Contractor (No.1)
Thomas Franks, 05171922
The Stables, Hook Norton Brewery, Brewery Lane, Oxfordshire, OX15 5NY, United Kingdom
NUTS Code: UKJ14
The contractor is an SME: No

V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: 1,020,000
Total value of the contract/lot: 1,016,291.56
Currency: GBP

V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract is likely to be subcontracted: No

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.3) Additional information: To view this notice, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=963259088
VI.4) Procedures for review

VI.4.1) Review body
Royal National College for the Blind
Venns Ln, Esh Plaza, Sir Bobby Robson Wa, Hereford, HR1 1DT, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 1276673880, Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk

VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures: Not Provided

VI.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Not Provided

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice: 02/07/2025