St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust ~ Catering Tender

The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust,

St Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy Trust was formed on 1st September 2021 when 8 Catholic Schools based in Hertfordshire came together to form a Catholic Academy Trust. The Trust’s key goal is the provision of a strong Catholic Education for its students and its mission is “Inspired by the teachings of Christ and the example of St Francis, we strive for excellence, cherishing every child in our care as a unique thumbprint of God, enabling all to realise their full potential.”

The Trust strives to improve the quality of education at a lower per pupil cost therefore we are currently looking to tender for our catering to ensure we receive healthy and inspiring meals for a reasonable cost that is good value for money.

St Mary’s Catholic School

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (Bishop’s Stortford)

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School (Waltham Cross)

Sacred Heart Catholic primary School

St Cross Catholic Primary School

St Augustine’s Catholic Primary School

St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School

The Tender

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 of all schools, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The Schools 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 2023 to 31st August 2026 with the option to extend for up to 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 Trust for the duration of this contract.

The School year at all schools 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 (where applicable); morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Free School meals are to be charged per pupil on uptake 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, it is not obliged to accept the lowest price.

The Trust expects the successful contractor to enable the continued development of catering through the provision of an innovative, healthy food service, with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients being prepared on-site. The Trust expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Every Child Matters.

The Trust believes that success should be celebrated and that pupils should enjoy their time at school; if lessons are stimulating and challenging then students will love learning.

As schools 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 funding improvements as part of the Contractor’s tender submission would be welcomed.

Contract value:

Sales performance per annum for all schools is circa £421,127

The value of the new contract is therefore circa £2,105,635 (Total annual sales at all schools, multiplied by 5 as the maximum term of the contract is 5 years)