The Litmus Partnership: Meridian Academies Trust ~ Catering Tender

UK-Sawtry: School catering services.

Section I: Contracting Authority

   I.1) Name, Addresses and Contact Point(s):
       Meridian Trust Offices
       Fen Lane, Sawtry, PE28 5TQ, United Kingdom
       Tel. +44 1276673880, Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
       Main Address: https://www.meridiantrust.co.uk
       NUTS Code: UKH12

   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: Meridian Academies 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: Meridian Trust is a successful multi academy trust founded in 2011 on its commitment to people and communities.

      II.1.6) Information about lots
         This contract is divided into lots: Yes
            
      II.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
          Value: 28,885,041.9
                  
         Currency:GBP            

   II.2) Description (lot no. 1)
   

      II.2.1) Title:Meridian Trust Offices ~ Primary Schools   
      Lot No:1

      II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s):
            55524000 - School catering services.


      II.2.3) Place of performance
      Nuts code:
      UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
   
      Main site or place of performance:
      Cambridgeshire CC
             

      II.2.4) Description of the procurement: Our vision is to provide high quality education for all at the heart of local communities and our mission is to deliver, promote and inspire high quality educational provision in schools at the heart of their local communities. The trust has grown rapidly and consists of 30 schools, 1 Associate school and a further two primary schools expected to open in the next year, so we will be over 33 in the very near future. Please also note that this is a growing Trust and should any other schools join this Trust during the course of this contract, these schools may, at the discretion of the client, be added to this contract. Please note that where schools have an existing in house service the trust reserves the right to make it’s own appointment decision and reserves the right not to appoint any contractor bidding for this contract. The tender project is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities of all schools, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The Schools would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1st August 2024 to 31st July 2027. There will then be the option to extend for up to a maximum of a further 2 years, at the discretion of the client. Note some differing current contract end dates here if applicable. This contract will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the trust a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the Trust for the duration of this contract. Free School meals are to be charged based on uptake and with a margin attached and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost. The School year at all schools is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five days are to be used for staff professional development which means that 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 catering services within the Schools, which currently includes breakfast service (where applicable) morning break (where applicable), lunch and all hospitality and free issue requirements. The Trust seeks a flexible contractor that can provide an excellent high quality service to all schools delivering continuity in high standards of quality, service and management across all schools - whilst being flexible with the offer delivered per school – tailored to each school’s specific set of students and requirements. Whilst the Trust prioritises value for money as a key objective of the Competitive Tender Process, it is not obliged to accept the lowest price. The Trust expects the successful contractor 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. The Trust expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Every Child Matters. The Trust 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. 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: This contract has been awarded

   II.2) Description (lot no. 2)
   

      II.2.1) Title:Meridian Trust Offices ~ Secondary Schools   
      Lot No:2

      II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s):
            55524000 - School catering services.


      II.2.3) Place of performance
      Nuts code:
      UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
   
      Main site or place of performance:
      Cambridgeshire CC
             

      II.2.4) Description of the procurement: 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: This contract has been awarded

   II.2) Description (lot no. 3)
   

      II.2.1) Title:Meridian Trust Offices ~ Special Educational Needs Schools   
      Lot No:3

      II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s):
            55524000 - School catering services.


      II.2.3) Place of performance
      Nuts code:
      UKH12 - Cambridgeshire CC
   
      Main site or place of performance:
      Cambridgeshire CC
             

      II.2.4) Description of the procurement: Please see SQ document for more information.

      II.2.5) Award criteria:
                  
      Price - Weighting: 10
            

      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: This contract has 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: 2023/S 000-029757
      
   

   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: 15/05/2024

      V.2.2) Information about tenders
         Number of tenders received: 6
         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)
             Cater Link Limited, 03732298
             Earley West, 300 Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, RG6 1PT, United Kingdom
             NUTS Code: UKJ11
            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: 19,888,190          
         Total value of the contract/lot: 28,885,041.9
         Currency: GBP

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

   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.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=865300495

   VI.4) Procedures for review

      VI.4.1) Review body
          Meridian Trust Offices
          Fen Lane, Sawtry, PE28 5TQ, United Kingdom

      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: 29/05/2024