Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Acer Trust
Arnolds Way
Oxford
OX2 9JE
UK
Contact person: Ben Jones
Telephone: +44 1256467107
E-mail: tenders@minervapcs.com
NUTS: UKJ14
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.acertrust.org.uk/
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other: Education Institute
I.5) Main activity
Education
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Acer Trust - Catering Services (2024)
Reference number: MPN-10299
II.1.2) Main CPV code
55524000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Acer Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service.The services at the Trust schools are a mix of in-house and outsourced provision.The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of breakfast and morning breaks at some sites and full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the school include the main dining areas and servery, plus some sites also have a hot and cold Grab and Go section in the main servery as well as separate servery areas such as a food truck and/or pod to alleviate queuing issues. All outlets are available to all pupils.Across the Trust there are currently 5,688 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 368 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 670 to Free School Meals.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
Yes
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
7 780 980.83
GBP
II.2) Description
Lot No: 1
II.2.1) Title
Lot 1 - Botley School, Chalgrove Community Primary School, Stadhampton Primary School and Watlington Primary School
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
55524000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ14
Main site or place of performance:
Full details in tender documentation
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Acer Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service.The services at the Trust schools are a mix of in-house and outsourced provision.The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of breakfast and morning breaks at some sites and full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the school include the main dining areas and servery, plus some sites also have a hot and cold Grab and Go section in the main servery as well as separate servery areas such as a food truck and/or pod to alleviate queuing issues. All outlets are available to all pupils.Across the Trust there are currently 5,688 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 368 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 670 to Free School Meals.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: All criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
/ Weighting: 90
Price
/ Weighting:
10
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will be awarded for an initial period of three years with two possible extensions of 12 months meaning a maximum contract length of five years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
The duration detailed above includes the initial term of three years as well as the two optional contract extension periods of 12 months each.
Lot No: 2
II.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - Icknield Community College
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
55524000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ14
Main site or place of performance:
Full details in tender documentation
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Acer Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service.The services at the Trust schools are a mix of in-house and outsourced provision.The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of breakfast and morning breaks at some sites and full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the school include the main dining areas and servery, plus some sites also have a hot and cold Grab and Go section in the main servery as well as separate servery areas such as a food truck and/or pod to alleviate queuing issues. All outlets are available to all pupils.Across the Trust there are currently 5,688 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 368 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 670 to Free School Meals.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: All criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
/ Weighting: 90
Price
/ Weighting:
10
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will be awarded for an initial period of three years with two possible extensions of 12 months meaning a maximum contract length of five years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
The duration detailed above includes the initial term of three years as well as the two optional contract extension periods of 12 months each.
Lot No: 3
II.2.1) Title
Lot 3 - Matthew Arnold School
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
55524000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ14
Main site or place of performance:
Full details in tender documentation
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Acer Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service.The services at the Trust schools are a mix of in-house and outsourced provision.The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of breakfast and morning breaks at some sites and full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the school include the main dining areas and servery, plus some sites also have a hot and cold Grab and Go section in the main servery as well as separate servery areas such as a food truck and/or pod to alleviate queuing issues. All outlets are available to all pupils.Across the Trust there are currently 5,688 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 368 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 670 to Free School Meals.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: All criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
/ Weighting: 90
Price
/ Weighting:
10
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will be awarded for an initial period of three years with two possible extensions of 12 months meaning a maximum contract length of five years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
The duration detailed above includes the initial term of three years as well as the two optional contract extension periods of 12 months each.
Lot No: 4
II.2.1) Title
Lot 4 - The Cooper School and Glory Farm Primary School
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
55524000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ14
Main site or place of performance:
Full details in tender documentation
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Acer Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service.The services at the Trust schools are a mix of in-house and outsourced provision.The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of breakfast and morning breaks at some sites and full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the school include the main dining areas and servery, plus some sites also have a hot and cold Grab and Go section in the main servery as well as separate servery areas such as a food truck and/or pod to alleviate queuing issues. All outlets are available to all pupils.Across the Trust there are currently 5,688 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 368 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 670 to Free School Meals.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: All criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
/ Weighting: 90
Price
/ Weighting:
10
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will be awarded for an initial period of three years with two possible extensions of 12 months meaning a maximum contract length of five years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
The duration detailed above includes the initial term of three years as well as the two optional contract extension periods of 12 months each.
Lot No: 5
II.2.1) Title
Lot 5 - Wood Green School
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
55524000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ14
Main site or place of performance:
Full details in tender documentation
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Acer Trust is currently out to tender for the provision of a full daily catering service.The services at the Trust schools are a mix of in-house and outsourced provision.The Contractor will be responsible for the provision of a full school food catering service for the pupils and staff at the Trust schools. This will consist of breakfast and morning breaks at some sites and full lunch service for each school day at all sites. The catering facilities at the school include the main dining areas and servery, plus some sites also have a hot and cold Grab and Go section in the main servery as well as separate servery areas such as a food truck and/or pod to alleviate queuing issues. All outlets are available to all pupils.Across the Trust there are currently 5,688 pupils on roll for the academic year 2024/25. Of this figure, 368 pupils are entitled to UIFSM and a further 670 to Free School Meals.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: All criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
/ Weighting: 90
Price
/ Weighting:
10
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The contract will be awarded for an initial period of three years with two possible extensions of 12 months meaning a maximum contract length of five years.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
The duration detailed above includes the initial term of three years as well as the two optional contract extension periods of 12 months each.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2024/S 000-037064
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 1
Contract No: Acer Trust
Title: Catering Services
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
13/06/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Aspens Services Ltd
Ground Floor, Teme House, Whittington Hall
Whittington
WR5 2RY
UK
NUTS: UKG12
Internet address(es)
URL: www.aspens-services.co.uk
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1 315 157.22
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 2
Contract No: Acer Trust
Title: Catering Services
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
13/06/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 5
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 5
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Dolce Ltd
Lowton Business Park, Newton Road
Lowton
WA3 2AN
UK
NUTS: UKD4
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.dolce.co.uk
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 1 280 841.91
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 3
Contract No: Acer Trust
Title: Catering Services
A contract/lot is awarded:
No
V.1 Information on non-award
The contract/lot is not awarded
No tenders or requests to participate were received or all were rejected
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 4
Contract No: Acer Trust
Title: Catering Services
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
13/06/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 5
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 5
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Dolce Ltd
Lowton Business Park, Newton Road
Lowton
WA3 2AN
UK
NUTS: UKD4
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.dolce.co.uk
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 2 555 877.02
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section V: Award of contract
Lot No: 5
Contract No: Acer Trust
Title: Catering Services
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
13/06/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 5
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 2
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 5
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Culinera Limited
12 The Broadway
Amersham
HP7 0HP
UK
NUTS: UKJ13
Internet address(es)
URL: www.culinera.co.uk
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 2 629 104.68
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
Acer Trust incorporated a standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract was communicated to tenderers. That notification provided full information on the award decision. The standstill period, which was for a minimum of 10 calendar days, provided time for unsuccessful tenderers to challenge the award decision before the contract was entered into. The Public Contracts Regulations 2015 provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
14/07/2025