United Kingdom179 days leftOpen

Mersey View Learning Trust Catering Framework Tender 2026

Tender Overview

ORGANIZATION

RPJ3 Group

LOCATION

Merseyside, United Kingdom

VALUE

£6,000,000

DEADLINE

July 31, 2026 at 23:00

CATEGORY

Other

CPV CODE

55524000

REFERENCE

001878-2026

Project Timeline

Contact Information

View Original

Original Tender Description

The Mersey View Learning Trust are seeking to procure a number of providers for a multi-supplier framework for catering services. The main objective of this procurement exercise is to deliver the procurement of a framework that will enable the Trust to source catering services for its schools. There are initially 6 schools in this framework, however, other schools may call off later. It should be noted that it is not mandatory for schools to use this framework. Schools will only call off from this agreement if they have a requirement to do so. It is envisaged the number of contractors on the framework will be between 1 and 3 The provision of the service must demonstrate the best value approach and be flexible in its delivery and operation to ensure that the needs and ethos of individual schools are supported. This framework process is targeted to have a catering contract in place to commence in August 2026 for the initial direct award schools. Please note that this process covers all catering services within the Trust schools with full tender costings and proposals for the schools for a contract start in in August 2026 for the initial direct award schools. These details will be further explained in the ITT documents. The process will be through a competitive flexible procedure commencing with a participation stage to create a select bidder list following analysis of a PSQ document (within which the scoring criteria will be included). The nature of the contract demands a good local infrastructure to provide and maintain the level and standard of catering services and support required by the Trust. Labour resource/relief cover is very important. We have set a minimum Employer's (compulsory) liability insurance of 10,000,000 GBP). Following the analysis of PSQ’s the selected bidders will be invited to attend site surveys and tender briefing initially planned for early March 2026. Tender response deadline is planned as late March 2026 and it is envisaged that interviews will take place in late April 2026. The contract will be for a 3 +1 +1 period (5 years in total including the option to extend for 1 + 1years after the initial 3 year term).
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MANDATORY EXCLUSION GROUNDS

  • None explicitly stated in the provided information.

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Official PDF Version
PDF001878-2026_official.pdf
Summary:
The Mersey View Learning Trust is seeking catering service providers for a multi-supplier framework for 6 initial schools, with a 5-year contract starting August 2026, requiring a strong local infrastructure and £10M employer's liability insurance.

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67
Good

Tender Quality Score

This tender outlines a multi-supplier framework for school catering services using a restricted, competitive flexible procedure. While it provides a clear overview of the process and objectives, the significant lack of accessible tender documents and a potentially disproportionate insurance requirement raise concerns regarding transparency and fairness.

Score Breakdown

Legal Compliance100/100

The tender describes a competitive flexible procedure with a participation stage, which aligns with standard procurement practices. However, the complete absence of tender documents hinders a full assessment of legal compliance regarding specific requirements and evaluation criteria.

Clarity40/100

The description provides a reasonably clear overview of the framework's purpose, scope, and initial procedural steps. However, the lack of detailed ITT documents makes it impossible to fully assess the clarity of specific requirements, evaluation criteria, and contractual terms.

Ambiguity regarding the exact scope and requirements for 'full tender costings and proposals' for initial direct award schools without ITT documents.
Completeness83/100

This is the tender's most significant weakness. The complete absence of any attached documents (ITT, PSQ, specifications, draft contract) means crucial information for potential bidders is missing, making a comprehensive understanding of the tender impossible.

Complete absence of tender documents (ITT, PSQ, specifications, draft contract).
Missing detailed evaluation criteria (only mentioned PSQ will include scoring criteria, but no specifics).
Fairness60/100

The requirement for a minimum Employer's liability insurance of 10,000,000 GBP for a 6,000,000 EUR framework (over 3 years) appears disproportionately high. This could significantly limit participation, particularly from SMEs, and potentially favor larger, established companies. The emphasis on 'good local infrastructure' could also be restrictive if not clearly defined and objectively assessed.

Disproportionately high Employer's liability insurance requirement (10,000,000 GBP) relative to the estimated contract value (6,000,000 EUR), potentially tailoring the tender for specific large companies.
Potential for 'good local infrastructure' requirement to be restrictive if not clearly defined and objectively assessed.
Practicality40/100

The framework approach offers flexibility for the Trust, and the phased procurement process is generally practical. However, the complete lack of documents makes it impractical for bidders to prepare adequately. The tight turnaround time between site surveys (early March) and the tender response deadline (late March) could be challenging for detailed proposals.

Impractical for bidders to prepare comprehensive proposals without access to tender documents.
Potentially tight turnaround time between site surveys/briefing and tender response deadline for detailed catering proposals.
Data Consistency100/100

The provided information is generally consistent within itself regarding the estimated value, duration, and framework nature. However, the NUTS code is missing.

Missing NUTS code for geographical location.
Sustainability0/100

The tender description does not mention any specific green procurement, social, or innovation criteria. This represents a missed opportunity to integrate sustainability objectives into the catering services.

Absence of explicit green procurement criteria.
Absence of explicit social criteria.

Strengths

Clear overall objective to establish a multi-supplier framework for catering services.
Transparently states the estimated value and contract duration.
Outlines a structured procurement process including PSQ, site surveys, and interviews.
Acknowledges the need for flexibility to support individual school needs and ethos.

Concerns

Complete absence of tender documents, making it impossible for bidders to assess requirements and prepare proposals.
Disproportionately high Employer's liability insurance requirement (10,000,000 GBP) which may restrict competition and potentially tailor the tender.
Potential for the 'good local infrastructure' requirement to be restrictive if not clearly defined.
Lack of explicit sustainability (green, social, innovation) criteria.
Missing NUTS code for geographical location.

Recommendations

1. Immediately publish all relevant tender documents (ITT, PSQ, specifications, draft contract) to ensure transparency and allow adequate preparation time for bidders.
2. Review and justify the Employer's liability insurance requirement, potentially reducing it to a more proportionate level or offering alternatives to avoid undue restriction of competition.
3. Clearly define and objectively assess the 'good local infrastructure' requirement to ensure fair and open competition.

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Tender Quality Score
67/ 100 · Good

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