Aylesford School ~ Catering Tender

The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1 August 2022 until 31 July 2025, with the option to extend the contract term for a further term of up to two years and will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the School a guaranteed cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the School for the duration of 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 for the teaching and support staff and students on roll, all of whom have a focus on the introduction of exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of tastes and including those with dietary, ethical or animal welfare requirements. The School would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly.

The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within School, which currently includes breakfast, morning break, lunch and all hospitality and free issue requirements. Free Student meals and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost

The School expects the successful contractor to enable the continued development of catering through the provision of an innovative, healthy and ethically responsible food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients being prepared on-site. The School also expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Aylesford School believes that the quality of catering provision is intrinsically linked to a safe and successful learning environment.

Due to the recent establishment that capital depreciation constitutes an embedded finance lease, inward capital investment is not a requirement of this tender. Finance leases are strictly prohibited by the Academies Handbook and thus entering into such an agreement would mean that Schools are in breach of their funding agreements.

It is appreciated that a level of investment may be identified as a requirement of your bid and therefore bidders are encouraged to provide details of such requirements by providing detailed information of the equipment necessary within their tender response, to include the equipment make, model and cost and also a justification of how this equipment will assist in fulfilling the proposal and potential of the service.

As a School who are continually seeking ways to improve and develop the ethos and environment for students and staff, to give them the facilities they deserve and need to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, any consideration regarding capital investment as part of the Contractor’s tender submission would be welcomed. The School would wish for the Contractor to look at making this investment within the existing catering areas, with attention being given to a High Street style, retail focussed offer which attracts current non-users of the facilities.

The School’s objectives:

•To further develop the standards of a healthy, fresh food provision with a range of options to for those with dietary, ethical or animal welfare requirements

•To further develop the standard of service for all customers

•To receive consistently high-quality catering standards, via a motivated and fully staffed workforce

•To generate a welcoming and efficient dining and social environment for all students

•To receive proactive management support for the catering team, in order to attract and retain a full complement of motivated staff

Please see the SQ Document for more information.