The Circle Trust ~ Catering Tender

The Circle Trust catering tender will consist of 6 Schools:

The Emmbrook School

Westcott Infant School

Nine Mile Ride Primary School

Shinfield Infant and Nursery School

St. Crispin’s Secondary School

Westende Junior School

The Circle Trust is seeking to appoint a Contractor whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements across all school within The Circle Trust. The Trust would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly.

The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1st September 2022 to 31st Aug 2025 with the option to extend for a maximum of a further 2 years at the discretion of the client. This contract will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the Schools a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with The Circle Trust for the duration of this contract.

The academic year is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five days are to be used for staff professional development which means that Schools will be open to receive students for the legal minimum of 190 days.

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

Whilst the Trust prioritises value for money as a key objective of the Competitive Tender Process, the Trust Board is not obliged to accept the lowest price.

The value of the current contract is determined by the total sales values achieved at each school as per the below: -

Annual total sales per school for the period Sept 2018 – Aug 2019 (the last full year before covid disruption)

The Emmbrook School £173,348

Westcott Infant School £53,000

Nine Mile Ride Primary School £74,000

Shinfield Infant and Nursery School £87,111

St. Crispin’s Secondary School £251,280

Westende Junior School £42,540

Total annual sales across all schools = £681,279

Therefore the value of the contract is £3,406,395 (total annual sales across all schools as above x 5 for the 5 maximum year contract term)

The Trust expects the successful contractor to enable the continued development of catering at all schools through the provision of an innovative, healthy food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The Trust expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values.

As a Trust 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 improvements here as part of the Contractor’s tender submission would be welcomed.

•Please be advised that this contract will be let on a 3 + 2 years basis.

•Please be advised that any schools that may join the Trust during the term of this catering contract may (at the discretion of the trust) – join this catering contract

•Please be advised that there are no incumbent members of catering staff in the Local Government Pension Scheme

Please see the SQ document for more information.