Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust - Catering Tender
Open
Interest closes in 28 days
Key facts
- Deadline to express interest or request to participate
- Friday 13 November 2026, 12:00 (UK time) Interest closes in 28 days
- Buyer's estimated value
- £13,000,000 (excl. VAT) The buyer's own estimate, not income to you.
- Clarification questions deadline
- 13 November 2026, 12:00
- Contract period
- 31 Jul 2027 to 31 Jul 2030
- Procedure
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Notice type
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Suitable for SMEs (per buyer)
- Yes
Decision brief
Taken from the buyer's published notice (shown as written, shortened where long). Tenderpatch has not added to or interpreted it. Always read the official documents before bidding.
- How bids will be scored
-
- Quality 60%
- Price 40%
- Conditions of participation (what you must show)
- None published in the notice. They may be in the tender documents.
- Contract length and extensions
- 31 Jul 2027 to 31 Jul 2030. Extensions: There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 31st July 2032.
- How to submit
- Through www.delta-esourcing.com ↗ (the buyer's own portal). Electronic submission: allowed.
- Tender documents
- No document links in the notice. Use the official notice link.
New to public tenders? Plain-English guide to this page
- Framework
- An agreement that sets terms for work the buyer may order later, often from several suppliers. The value shown usually covers the whole agreement, not one job.
- Open for bids / closing date
- You must submit by the closing date and time, normally through the buyer's own online portal. Late bids are normally refused.
- Clarification questions
- A deadline for asking the buyer questions about the tender. It is earlier than the closing date.
- Conditions of participation
- What the buyer asks suppliers to show before they can be considered, such as experience, insurance or accreditations.
- Bids are scored on
- How the buyer will compare bids, usually a split between price and quality. A 60/40 split in favour of quality means the cheapest bid will not necessarily win.
- Lots
- A tender can be split into parts. You can often bid for only the lots that suit you.
- Area (ITL)
- The buyer names an official statistical area for where the work is, not a street address. Check the tender documents for the actual sites.
- UK4 and other notice codes
- Official codes for the type of notice. A "tender notice" means bids are being invited.
General explanations written by Tenderpatch, not part of this notice.
Description
Founded in 2017 our Trust consists of nine primary schools, four secondary schools and one all through school. Our schools each have their own strengths and character, and together make up the Stowe Valley family, working collaboratively to provide the very best education and opportunities for our pupils. We currently employ 1100 staff and educate over 9000 children across our schools throughout Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.
Further information regarding the Trust can be obtained here: https://www.stowevalleymat.com/
Tender information:
The successful tenderer will be required to provide excellent catering services to all schools within the Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust. The contract will be awarded to one catering provider.
The contract term being tendered is for three years, with some schools starting on 1st August 2027 and some on 1st Sept 2027 (see schedule below), with a single contract end date of 31st July 2030. There is an option for a further extension period for up to two additional years to 31st July 2032.
School name - Contract start date
Bilton School - 1st August 2027
Bishops Itchington - 1st August 2027
Byfield School - 1st August 2027
Coten End - 1st September 2027
Kineton High School - 1st August 2027
Myton Gardens - 1st August 2027
Myton School - 1st September 2027
Oakley School - 1st August 2027
Rokeby Primary - 1st August 2027
Southam College - 1st August 2027
Southam Primary - 1st August 2027
Stockton Primary - 1st August 2027
Temple Herdewyke - 1st August 2027
Hillmorton Primary - 1st September 2027
The contract offers an excellent opportunity to review and propose enhancements to the current catering services. This includes but is not limited to; breakfast, morning break, lunchtime and after school services, over the academic year, plus hospitality services upon request. The Trust also includes a year round full time 0-school age nursery.
The Client is keen to secure a high quality catering service including fresh locally sourced ingredients prepared on site, with a menu design that is flexible to suit the requirements of the specific students. The Client is proud of their ‘family ethos’ and expects both a tightly managed service and a management style delivered by the successful contractor that supports, encourages and develops the catering staff.
In addition, the Client has identified the following key requirements: -
The provision of healthy, nutritious and age-appropriate meals and portions, including for the 0+ nursery setting. Here, the contractor must deliver meals in accordance with both the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework’ and the ‘early years foundation stage nutrition guidance’.
Robust arrangements for the management of allergens, special diets and food intolerances.
Transparent and accurate invoicing, supported by detailed and auditable financial information.
An effective management and governance structure, with clear communication protocols and regular contract performance reporting.
The Client is not obliged to accept the lowest price submitted for this tender, rather they are keen to secure ‘best value’ from this contract and to deliver ‘best value’ to the students. Innovative and creative ideas as to how the services can be developed and value added, will be welcomed. The Client seeks a contractor that is keen to work in partnership and who will deliver to its highest abilities, at all times.
Competitive Flexible Procedure
This procurement will be run under the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This will follow a two stage approach, with stage 1 being the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Here a minimum of 5 candidates (or less, in the event less than 5 meet the minimum criteria) and a maximum of 10 candidates, will progress to stage 2. Any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement and a minimum score of 60% must be achieved.
Selected tenderers will then be invited to stage 2, the Invitation To Tender (ITT). Here, the evaluation of tender response will be set as 40% price and 60% quality.
Value of contract:
The annual value of the current contract is £2.6 million
Therefore the value of this contract is £13 million
The contract shall be a guaranteed performance contract with any hospitality requirements billed separately.
Additional requirements and information:
•The school has a minimum requirement for a contractor’s employers' liability and public liability insurances of £10 million
•The minimum annual turnover that your company must have achieved to be considered for this opportunity is £1 million
•There are incumbent catering staff currently within the Local Government Pension Scheme
•The catering services are currently contracted to Caterlink and AIP
•Please note this is a growing Trust and any other schools that may join the Trust during the tenure of this new catering contract may, at the Trust’s discretion, be added to this contract.
•Please note that the successful tenderer will be required to pay the RIVA tender fee for this project directly to RIVA, upon their contract award.
•The client’s preference is to appoint a single catering provider across all schools within the Trust. However, the Client reserves the right to appoint per school, and reserves the right not to appoint for any or all schools, in conclusion of this project.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Southam:-School-catering-services./85HZ89CDEX
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/85HZ89CDEX