Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 4 Apr 2025, 16:12 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Food Supply Tender for Academy Transformation Trust Schools

Official notice

Authority: Academy Transformation Trust (Public body)·Consortium: 2 public authorities

GoodsCompetitive flexible procedureAbove threshold
Published estimate£4,500,000≈ £1.5m / year · £4,500,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 18 Apr 2025awarded 19 Sept 2025
Awarded to CREED FOODSERVICE
Contract term 3 yrsends 1 Aug 2028 · up to 1 Aug 2030 with extensions · starts 1 Aug 2025

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Provision and distribution of fresh, chilled, frozen and ambient food and beverages to 21 academies (primary & secondary), including dairy, meat, bakery, produce, dry goods, frozen lines and drinks. Service includes multi-site scheduled deliveries, quality assurance, food safety compliance and sustainability reporting.

Estimated maximum value (full potential term incl. options): £4,500,000 (incl. VAT).

Pricing model: Basket pricing with indexed adjustments; category‑based discount structure; delivery charges included.

Note on valuation: Actual expenditure varies with pupil numbers, menus and commodity markets. The value is an estimate for transparency and reflects ATT-wide demand forecasts and published price mechanisms.

This notice is being published after contract commencement due to an administrative oversight during a staffing transition. The delay was not intentional and occurred while responsibilities were being reassigned. The contracting authority has taken steps to strengthen internal controls to ensure timely publication of future notices.

  • Not divided into lots: The Academy Transformation Trust has opted not to divide this procurement into lots, as appointing a single supplier for the full scope of food and beverage supply will ensure greater efficiency, consistency, and ease of contract management. A single-supplier approach will allow for streamlined communication, simplified ordering processes, and uniform quality standards across all 21 academies. Managing multiple suppliers through separate lots would introduce additional administrative complexity, potential inconsistencies in supply and pricing, and increased logistical challenges. By consolidating the contract under one supplier, the trust can achieve economies of scale, enhance supply chain reliability, and maintain a cohesive approach to food provision across all its academies.
  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Aug 2030, 23:59 BST.
  • How the procedure runs: The procurement process will commence with an initial shortlisting stage based on a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Interested suppliers will be required to complete and submit the PSQ, which will be evaluated against predetermined criteria to assess their suitability, capability, and experience. Following the shortlisting stage, selected suppliers will be invited to participate in the tendering process. This may involve multiple rounds of tender submissions, during which negotiations will be conducted to refine bids and enhance value for the academy trust. The award criteria may also be refined during this stage to ensure alignment with the trust's objectives and requirements. This approach ensures a competitive and transparent process, allowing for engagement with suppliers to achieve the best possible outcome for the food supply contract.

CPV: Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1AwardedRenewal 3 yrsPublished value£4,500,000
Contract period: 1 Aug 2025 – 1 Aug 2028 (3 yrs) · up to 1 Aug 2030 with extensionsValue: £4,500,000 exc. VAT · £4,500,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: UK
Extensions: The contract may allow for modifications in response to changes in food supply requirements, government nutritional guidelines, or sustainability initiatives. This could include the introduction of new product lines, adjustments in delivery schedules, or enhancements in service levels to better meet the needs of the 21 academies. Further flexibility may be incorporated to accommodate fluctuations in demand, such as increased student numbers, menu changes, or unforeseen circumstances affecting supply chains. Any such adjustments will be managed within the scope of the contract and in line with agreed terms. · The contract may include options for extension beyond the initial contract period, subject to supplier performance, continued value for money, and the evolving needs of the Academy Transformation Trust. Any potential extensions will be exercised at the trust's discretion and in accordance with procurement regulations.

What it takes to win
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How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
Quality: 50%Price: 50%
Published award criteria (2)
  • Price
  • Quality
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 50 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 5 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 Aug 2030
First published
4 Apr 2025, 16:12 BST
Last source update
15 Dec 2025, 13:55 GMT
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 3 Jul 2025
Authority reference
ATT004
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-013205
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Food, beverages, tobacco and related products
Delivery area
UKNorth East (UKC)North West (UKD)Yorkshire & Humber (UKE)East Midlands (UKF)West Midlands (UKG)East of England (UKH)London (UKI)
+2 moreSouth East (UKJ)South West (UKK)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fd9d Find a Tender
How it runs

The procurement process will commence with an initial shortlisting stage based on a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ). Interested suppliers will be required to complete and submit the PSQ, which will be evaluated against predetermined criteria to assess their suitability, capability, and experience.

Following the shortlisting stage, selected suppliers will be invited to participate in the tendering process. This may involve multiple rounds of tender submissions, during which negotiations will be conducted to refine bids and enhance value for the academy trust. The award criteria may also be refined during this stage to ensure alignment with the trust's objectives and requirements.

This approach ensures a competitive and transparent process, allowing for engagement with suppliers to achieve the best possible outcome for the food supply contract.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: portal not identified
Electronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Requests to participate (first stage)
18 Apr 2025, 23:59 BST
Submission deadline
18 Apr 2025, 23:59 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

All submissions for the tender, including the Pre-Selection Questionnaire (PSQ) and registration of interest, must be sent to: [email protected]

You can find Academy information here: www.academytransformationtrust.co.uk ↗

Timeline

4 Apr 2025 → 15 Dec 2025 · 5 dates
  1. Tender notice published
    4 Apr 2025, 16:12 BST
  2. Submission deadline
    18 Apr 2025, 23:59 BST
  3. Award decision expected by
    3 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
  4. Contract starts
    1 Aug 2025, 00:00 BST
  5. Latest notice published315 days ago
    15 Dec 2025, 13:55 GMT

Notice history

5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 4 Apr 2025
  1. Tender notice published
    4 Apr 2025, 16:12 BST
    UK4
  2. Contract details notice published
    15 Dec 2025, 13:55 GMT
    UK7
  3. Status changed to complete
    15 Dec 2025, 13:55 GMT
  4. Procurement method changed
    15 Dec 2025, 13:55 GMT
  5. Buyer details updated
    15 Dec 2025, 13:55 GMT

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value (inc. VAT) £4,500,0001 contract inc. VAT; no net value published
Contracts signed 1latest 19 Sept 2025
Awarded toValueDateStatus
CREED FOODSERVICE£4,500,000 inc. VAT †—Awarded

Contracts

  • Food Supply Tender for Academy Transformation Trust Schools · CREED FOODSERVICE

    Signed
    19 Sept 2025
    Value
    £4,500,000 inc. VAT
    Period
    19 Sept 2025 – 1 Aug 2028 · up to 1 Aug 2030 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Description of extension: The contract includes one optional extension of up to 24 months. This extension may be exercised under the following circumstances: - Supplier performance meets agreed KPIs and service standards. - Continued value for money is demonstrated. - Operational continuity is required (e.g., pupil meal provision across all academies). - Market conditions or re-procurement timing make immediate retendering impractical. The decision to exercise the extension will be subject to review and approval by the Trust before the end of the initial term. Services commenced 01/08/2025 under award; contract executed 19/09/2025.
    5 agreed KPIs: Delivery reliability · Account Management · Product Sourcing …
    • Delivery reliability, 100% of missed or failed deliveries resolved by 10am the next working day. If not met, applicable credits or cashback must be provided.
    • Account Management, Regular communication and availability of a dedicated account manager with meetings as required by the Trust. Active relationship management expected.
    • Product Sourcing, Supply of accredited food brands at competitive prices. Must be evidenced in pricing and product range.
    • Allergen Compliance, 100% of products to have full and accurate allergen information in line with Natasha's Law and Food Information Regulations. Non-compliance may lead to contract review.
    • Product Quality, Maximum 2% monthly rejection rate due to quality, damage, or expired stock. Rejected items must be replaced or credited.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

2 public bodies on the notice

Academy Transformation Trust

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PZZT-9217-WDTL · GB-UKPRN: 10039859 Unit 4, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B73 6AZContact name, email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • CREED FOODSERVICE LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: 01065559GB-PPON: PLRQ-8269-MWQZ Unit S3 Narvik Way, North Shields, North East, NE29 7XJContact email

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender