The Litmus Partnership: The Howard Academies Trust ~ Catering Tender

Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

The Howard Academies Trust

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PTLW-5742-DNHJ

Address:

The Howard Academy Trust, South Side Three Road, Chatham
Kent
ME4 4FQ
UK

Contact name:

Tenders

Email:

tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk

Telephone:

01276 673896

Website:

https://www.thatrust.org.uk/home

Organisation type:

REGIONAL_AUTHORITY

Devolved regulations that apply:

None

Procedure

Procedure type:

Competitive flexible procedure

Dynamic market OCID:

Not provided

Competitive flexible procedure description:

Please see PSQ Document for more information.

Preliminary market engagement conducted:

No

Dynamic market:

No

Special regime:

None

Scope

Title:

The Howard Academies Trust ~ Catering Tender

Reference number:

Not provided

Main procurement category:

SERVICES

Description:

The Howard Academy Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, 9 schools, 4 of which are secondary schools (including 1 UTC), 4 primary schools (2 X 1 FE and 2 X 2 FE) and 1 AP/ SEN school. For the purposes of this tender all primary and secondary schools are included, but the AP/ SEN school is not. THAT educates around 5300 pupils and has a staff workforce of around 850. The Trust expects further growth within the period of the contract.
Our schools are across 3 local authorities, albeit all in proximity as below:
•Medway- Deanwood Primary School, Thames View Primary School, Temple Mill Primary School, Waterfront UTC and The Howard School
•Kent- The Abbey School Faversham
•Bexley- Hurstmere School
Our Trust vision is “Working together to build a community of successful learners” and our values are: Inclusivity, Dignity, Respect and Ambition. To deliver our vision and values it is imperative that we appoint a caterer who delivers high quality meals across the Trust, ensuring pupils and particularly those that are free school meals receive a high quality, fresh, nutritious meal. A key focus of this tender is ensuring a consistent high quality food offer, that is financially viable whilst boosting uptake and quality, particularly in Medway schools, where this is generally underperforming.
The Howard Academy 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.
Our current student body is comprised of 73.9% males, 26.1% females. Our average Free School Meals is 23.8% with ever 6 being 24.3%. 20.5% of pupils have some level of SEN need.
The successful contractor will build on a strong offer including current good quality, variety and uptake at The Abbey School and Hurstmere School. Whilst substantially improving uptake and quality across the primary schools and UTC, ensuring a high-quality consistent offer that meets the needs and tastes of a wide range of pupils, including those with dietary requirements. We welcome innovation and are keen to work in a highly collaborative way with the contractor to ensure the best offer possible for our pupils.
Currently we have three caterers, all of whom have agreed to a termination date of 31/10/2026. This contract will therefore run for 2 years and 11 months from the start of Term 2 in the 2026/27 academic year which is 01/11/2026 (with the first day school day being 02/11/2026) running to 31/08/2029 with the option for the Trust to take out a plus two-year extensions. We would like to make clear that our intention is to form a lasting relationship with a successful caterer who we are determined to take the two-year extension with and hopefully to be in a strong position
We have made substantial investment in our kitchens over the last two years with £80k invested in equipment during 2024/25 and up to £80k being further invested in 2025/26. We are looking for tenders that deliver a nil cost or better on a guaranteed performance basis.

Please see PSQ Document for more information.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-UK-Kent:-School-catering-services./JYP43RZYPB

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/JYP43RZYPB

Total value (estimated):

GBP 7,700,000 including VAT

Description

Description:

Not provided

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

No

Contract dates (estimated):

01/11/2026 to 31/08/2029

CPV classifications:

55524000 - School catering services.

Contract can be extended:

Yes

Extension date:

31/08/2031

Delivery regions:

UKJ4 - Kent

Award criteria:

Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 70

Name: Criterion 2 / Weighting: 30

Documents

Associated tender documents:

Not provided

Technical specifications:

Not provided

Submission

Enquiry deadline:

02/04/2026 Time: 12:00

Tender submission deadline:

05/06/2026 Time: 12:00

Submission address and any special instructions:

https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/JYP43RZYPB

An electronic auction will be used:

No

Languages that may be used for submission:

English

Award decision date (estimated):

06/07/2026

Other information

Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation:

Not provided

Technical ability conditions of participation:

Not provided

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP):

No

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA):

Yes

A conflicts assessment has been prepared and revised:

Yes

Other organisations