Swansea University

Introduction Swansea University wishes to procure a specialist catering partner for the provision of catering and hospitality services across the University estate. The contract term will be ten years and the estimated contract value over the term is £45,000,000. The tender process for the contract will follow the competitive dialogue procedure under Schedule 3 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Scope Swansea University spans two stunning campuses at each end of Swansea’s waterfront. Singleton Park Campus is set in mature parkland and botanical gardens, overlooking Swansea Bay beach. Bay Campus is located on the beachfront on the eastern approach into Swansea. The University wishes to procure a ten-year contract and is seeking an innovative catering and hospitality service across the two campus locations that reflects high street and culinary developments and health & dietary trends. The key elements of the services are set out below. •In addition to the retail catering and café outlets on each campus the University offers a student accommodation package within some of its student residences which includes a pre-paid dining card. •A delivered hospitality service across the campuses – the majority of the custom is the delivery of lunches and refreshments to internal departments within the University to facilitate a range of events from small business meetings to large academic or student-related events. A small amount of sales are to external organisations, some of which are based at the campus and some of which are based across Swansea. The University believes that there is an opportunity to increase the external use of the service. •An extensive conferencing, events and banqueting service, which is marketed and booked by a separate in-house event services team who collect a fee for this service. •In 2018-2019, there were seven summer schools held at the University with delegate numbers ranging from 20 to 150. Whilst the particulars for each summer school can vary, each booking generally requires the provision of breakfast, lunch and dinner for the duration of their stay. •There are a number of vending machines located across both campuses, which offer staff and students quick access to soft drinks, crisps, confectionery and hot beverages. Commercial and Contract Objectives The following elements are key criteria which the University is seeking to achieve through the new commercial catering contract: •Student experience to be enhanced through value for money and enhancements to food quality and catering options across our campuses. •Guaranteed, risk free financial return sufficient to cover all ongoing operating costs and taxation liabilities. •Guaranteed capital investment funding across contract term including initial and ongoing development. •Investment programme to address identified service and compliance issues. •Gain share mechanisms to allow the University to achieve positive net income as contract matures and potential is realised. •Flexibility to adapt to demand over the duration of the contact. •No reduction in current service levels including overall scope, scale and availability. •All identified staff transfer under TUPE. •Retail, hospitality, event and conference provision. •Ongoing support for Students’ Union ventures. •University input on pricing, product and branding. •Alignment with general University strategy, policy and principles Additional information: To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://litmustms.co.uk/tenders/UK-Swansea:-School-catering-services./TK69UBQCFB