Tender: Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust – Provision of School Catering Services (Aug/Sep 2027–Jul 2030)

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Stowe Valley Multi Academy Trust is seeking a supplier for comprehensive on-site catering services across its schools, covering breakfast, morning break, lunchtime, after-school services and hospitality on request, and including a year-round full-time 0+ nursery. The successful contractor will be appointed as the single provider where possible and deliver a three-year guaranteed performance contract with schools starting either 1 August or 1 September 2027 and a single contract end date of 31 July 2030, with an option to extend to 31 July 2032; the contract value is £13 million (current annual value £2.6 million) and hospitality will be billed separately. The Trust requires fresh, locally sourced ingredients prepared on site, flexible menu design, healthy age-appropriate meals and portions (including compliance with the EYFS statutory framework and early years nutrition guidance for the nursery), robust management of allergens, special diets and intolerances, transparent and auditable invoicing, and a clear management and governance structure that supports and develops catering staff. Procurement will follow the Competitive Flexible Procedure in two stages (PSQ then ITT), with 5–10 candidates progressing from stage 1 (minimum score 60%) and stage 2 evaluated 60% quality / 40% price. Additional requirements include a minimum annual turnover of £1 million, employers' and public liability insurance of £10 million, awareness of incumbent staff in the Local Government Pension Scheme, and the possibility that other schools may join the Trust during the contract term.