The Litmus Partnership: Connect Academy Trust ~ Catering Tender

UK-Plymouth: School catering services.

Section I: Contracting Authority

   I.1) Name, Addresses and Contact Point(s):
       Connect Academy Trust
       C/O Leigham Primary School, Cockington Close, Plymouth, PL6 8RF, United Kingdom
       Tel. +44 1276673880, Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
       Main Address: https://www.connectacademytrust.co.uk/
       NUTS Code: UKK41

   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: Connect 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 successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for Connect Academy Trust.

      II.1.6) Information about lots
         This contract is divided into lots: No
            
      II.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
          Value: 5,171,065.15
                  
         Currency:GBP            

   II.2) Description

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

      II.2.3) Place of performance
      Nuts code:
      UKK41 - Plymouth
   
      Main site or place of performance:
      Plymouth
             

      II.2.4) Description of the procurement: The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for Connect Academy Trust.
Connect Academy Trust is an established and growing multi-academy trust, located in Devon, comprising of the following eight Primary Schools:
1.Cockington Primary School
2.Eden Park Primary School
3.Eggbuckland Vale Primary School
4.Leigham Primary School
5.Manadon Vale Primary School
6.Preston Primary School
7.Thornbury Primary School
8.Widey Court Primary School
More information regarding the Trust can be found on their website: https://www.connectacademytrust.co.uk/
The contract covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the Trust, which also includes all hospitality and free issue requirements.
The duration of the contract being offered is for an initial three-year period commencing on 01 April 2024, with the potential to extend for a further two 12-month periods. This extension will be granted by mutual consent and on the same terms and conditions as the original contract without the right to further extend beyond the full five years.
The contract being offered within this tender will be on a guaranteed performance basis, with an expected profit share of any betterment to the agreed budget.
The Trust are seeking a suitably experienced, education catering contractor who is able to evidence working within Primary Schools and Multi Academy Trusts. An existing presence within the Southwest would be beneficial although not essential for organisations looking to expand into the region. The successful contractor will already have or need to develop a strong operational base within the vicinity, thus allowing for both adequate contract support and operational flexibility that is to be delivered to support the contract as and when needed moving forwards into this contractual term.
Sustainability and conservation are at the heart of the Trust’s message to its students. Connect Academy Trust were awarded the UK’s first EU Blue School status for their innovative ocean conservation curriculum. As such, the successful Supplier should be proactively working towards a sustainable service and making significant steps in producing their own plan towards carbon neutrality.
The services across the Schools are currently outsourced, and TUPE is expected to apply. It is anticipated that a number of the current employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and, in this instance, the successful contractor will be expected to gain Admitted Body Status (ABS) in order to continue contributing to the scheme.
The Trust wishes to achieve as a result of this tender process:
1.The provision of a healthy, balanced menu that meets nutritional guidelines and is enjoyed by all users of the service. This menu should be inclusive of those with special dietary requirements.
2.An innovative and flexible menu that is in keeping with current food trends. Offering frequent themed menus and initiatives that support the curriculum and various school led activities, ensuring the food offer remains varied and enticing to its customers.
3.Improved parental engagement to drive the uptake of meals across the Trust.
4.Messages of sustainability that support the Trust’s ethos.
5.Financial certainty and an understanding of the ongoing trading performance through the proactive provision of monthly trading data to support invoice charges, promoting an open book policy.
It is expected that experienced and insightful contract management will promote good levels of communication and engagement with the Trust and individual Schools. A suitable marketing campaign to the students, staff and parents alike is imperative to promote the uptake of meals.
This enhanced service should be supported by a well-trained catering team at the school, with a focus by the successful contractor on both craft training and customer service.
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 be aware that this opportunity is now closed and this is the Contract Award Notice.


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 000-020655
      
   

   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: 12/02/2024

      V.2.2) Information about tenders
         Number of tenders received: 7
         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)
             abm catering Ltd, 04168334
             Eagle Court, 63-67 Saltisford, Warwick, CV34 4AF, United Kingdom
             NUTS Code: UKG
            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: 5,900,000          
         Total value of the contract/lot: 5,171,065.15
         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. The contracting authority will not be liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in tendering for this contract opportunity.
To view this notice, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=893244593

   VI.4) Procedures for review

      VI.4.1) Review body
          C/O Leigham Primary School
          Cockington Close, Plymouth, PL6 8RF, 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: 03/10/2024