The Litmus Partnership: Oxlip Learning Partnership ~ Catering Tender

Contracting authority

Contracting authority:

Oxlip Learning Partnership

Public Procurement Organisation Number:

PVZX-1998-PMNJ

Address:

Oxlip Learning Partnership, Copleston Road, Ipswich
Suffolk
IP4 5HD
UK

Contact name:

Howard Allen

Email:

tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk

Telephone:

01276 673896

Website:

https://www.oxlip.uk/

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

Tenders received:

0

Tenders assessed:

0

Tenders from SMEs:

0

Tenders from VCSEs:

0

Special regime:

None

Scope

Title:

Oxlip Learning Partnership ~ Catering Tender

Reference number:

Not provided

Main procurement category:

SERVICES

Description:

The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for up to five schools (2 x Secondary and 3 x Primary) of the Oxlip Learning Partnership ( the trust).
The Trust comprises two secondary academies (Copleston High School and Stowupland High School) and five primary academies of which 3 (Bacton Primary School, Cedars Park Primary School, Mendlesham Primary School) are potentially in scope for this project.
At this present moment, the schools have differing approaches to catering service provision, Copleston High School is outsourced whereas the other four schools potentially in scope for this tender are currently self-delivering. Copleston High School is the key driver for this procurement exercise as it will be out of contract in Summer 2026 and needs to find an in-form, competent and confidant service provider capable of engaging its 1900 + pupils on a daily basis for its new contract term, whereas the self-delivered schools, if they participate will be curious as to a bidder’s experience in taking schools to first time outsourcing and it’s challenges and risks alongside the commercial opportunities that this could realise.
The Trust is presenting this exciting opportunity to partner with a supplier who is able to deliver their vision of promoting health and wellbeing through food provision across the five schools. Current sales at Copleston are equivalent of £520k pa. Current Turnover if all five schools become part of scope is expected to be just short of £1m. It is thought that, with focus of resources and investment, there is significant growth potential through driving uptake in all of the self-operated schools.
The client would like to see innovative delivery of emerging food trends that are seen on the high street and in retail outlets that pupils and their families frequent and therefore need to be reflected in the school dining rooms. The ITT will capture detailed specifications for each school against which bidders can present confident proposals.

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-Suffolk:-School-catering-services./8725VGB8FH

To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/8725VGB8FH

Total value (estimated):

GBP 2,600,000 including VAT

Description

Description:

Not provided

Suitable for SMEs:

Yes

Suitable for VCSEs:

No

Contract dates (estimated):

01/09/2026 to 31/08/2029

CPV classifications:

55524000 - School catering services.

Contract can be extended:

Yes

Extension date:

31/08/2031

Delivery regions:

UKH14 - Suffolk

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:

20/02/2026 Time: 12:00

Tender submission deadline:

24/04/2026 Time: 12:00

Submission address and any special instructions:

https://litmustms.co.uk/respond/8725VGB8FH

An electronic auction will be used:

No

Languages that may be used for submission:

English

Award decision date (estimated):

25/05/2026

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