Official UK procurement notice
Provision of Outsourced Catering Service
Authority: St Christopher's C of E (Primary) Multi Academy Trust (Central government)·On behalf of: PHP Law LLP
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThis tender opportunity has been issued by St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust (“the Trust”) and Tenderers are invited to tender for the provision of an Outsourced Catering Service (the Service”). The Contractor shall: a. work in partnership with the Trust, offering a service that is aligned to the vision, values and ethos of the Trust. b. operate a standard approach across schools, delivering an exemplary quality of service with a continuous drive in relation to uptake and participation, which ensures UIFSM and FSM reaches and stays >95%, offering innovative solutions and ideas. c. have appropriate processes and procedures in place for individuals with food allergens, medical and dietary requirements, religious cultural and SEND dietary requirements d. demonstrate a centralised contract management approach, including a robust complaints management policy that offers transparency and visibility of management information, KPI and financial performance. e. operate the contract in line with School Food Standards, British, International and EU standards & legislation, working with the Trust in compiling a nutritious and healthy menu offer. f. promote environmental and social sustainability in all aspects of the school meals provision. g. provide signage and marketing for the service. h. implement a robust mobilisation plan for the contract that will demonstrate partnership working, is seamless and demonstrates due regard for risk with appropriate mitigation measures, including the responsibility for TUPE of existing staff.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 6 Jan 2031, 23:59 GMT.
- No preliminary market engagement: The justification is that the requirements are not complex, or niche and the Contracting Authority already has an understanding of what they want the service to deliver and the market is known.
CPV: School catering services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£2,000,000
- Economic & financial standing
A financial appraisal will be based upon a credit check. Insurances a. Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance* = [£10m] b. Public Liability Insurance = [£10m] c. Professional Indemnity Insurance = [£1m] d. Product Liability Insurance = [£1m]
- Technical & professional ability
Provide 3 relevant previous contract examples To constitute a pass, the contract examples provided shall be relevant to the requirement, with a sufficient level of detail that provides confidence in the Tenderer’s established past experience in similar and relevant projects/contracts. The contracts must be within the education sector and similar complexity and working on more than one site within the contract.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published sub-criteria (12)
- Proposed Service Model: 12.5%
- Service Model Case Study: 5%
- Menu Planning & Development: 10%
- Food Offering: 7.5%
- Allergy Management: 7.5%
- Contractor Staff: 5%
- Account Management: 2.5%
- Contract Management: 5%
- Contract Mobilisation & Risk Management: 2.5%
- Guaranteed Position Approach Assessment: 20%
- Guaranteed Position Assessment: 20%
- Sustainability: 2.5%
Published award criteria (12)
- Proposed Service Model
- Service Model Case Study
- Menu Planning & Development
- Food Offering
- Allergy Management
- Contractor Staff
- Account Management
- Contract Management
- Contract Mobilisation & Risk Management
- Sustainability
- Guaranteed Position Approach Assessment
- Guaranteed Position Assessment
- Economic & financial standing
A financial appraisal will be based upon a credit check. Insurances a. Employer’s (Compulsory) Liability Insurance* = [£10m] b. Public Liability Insurance = [£10m] c. Professional Indemnity Insurance = [£1m] d. Product Liability Insurance = [£1m]
- Technical & professional ability
Provide 3 relevant previous contract examples To constitute a pass, the contract examples provided shall be relevant to the requirement, with a sufficient level of detail that provides confidence in the Tenderer’s established past experience in similar and relevant projects/contracts. The contracts must be within the education sector and similar complexity and working on more than one site within the contract.
- Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Cancelled
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 6 Jan 2031
- First published
- 3 Feb 2026, 08:51 GMT
- Last source update
- 17 May 2026, 18:36 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 26 May 2026
- Authority reference
STC01.40- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-009240- Latest notice
- Procurement termination notice (UK12)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area in notice
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0614e0Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
The Contractor shall operate the service efficiently and provide a commercial solution that offers best value to the Trust, proactively assessing where efficiencies can be made and discussing these and their cost benefits with the Trust. The Contractor shall submit invoices and associated documentation by email to the Trust finance team. Invoicing will be monthly, in arrears from the end of the previous month based on number of meals taken, agreed with the kitchen and school office on a daily basis. Where, during a monthly period, it has been identified, and agreed, that adjustments are required (in respect of service credits, additional works, errors or omissions), these will be taken account of within the invoice for the following month.
- Risks
Financial Inflation and Rising Costs: Food price inflation, energy bills, and wage increases. Caterers locked into long-term contracts may struggle to remain profitable, risking service quality or contract withdrawal. Staffing Challenges Recruitment Difficulties: Shortages of skilled catering staff, especially in rural or low-income areas. Difficulty attracting and retaining staff due to limited pay and benefits. Training Gaps: Inadequate training in food safety, allergens, and safeguarding can lead to compliance issues. Reputational and Compliance Risks Non-compliance with School Food Standards can result in reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny. Non-compliance with the tender specification or compliance requirement
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 30 Mar 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 30 Mar 2026, 00:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
3 Feb 2026 → 1 Sept 2026 · 6 dates- Tender notice published267 days ago3 Feb 2026, 08:51 GMT
- Clarification questions by212 days ago30 Mar 2026, 00:00 BST
- Submission deadline212 days ago30 Mar 2026, 12:00 BST
- Latest notice published164 days ago17 May 2026, 18:36 BST
- Award decision expected by154 days ago26 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts57 days ago1 Sept 2026
Notice history
3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 3 Feb 2026- Tender notice published3 Feb 2026, 08:51 GMTUK4
- Procurement termination notice published17 May 2026, 18:36 BSTUK12
- Status changed to complete17 May 2026, 18:36 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| supplier not published | — | 2 Apr 2026 | CancelledNo Tender Submissions Received. |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- PHP Law LLPProcess contact pointProcuring entityTender Process Support
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Procurement termination notice Procurement termination notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender