The successful Supplier will be required to provide catering services for Robert May’s School.

Robert May’s School is an oversubscribed secondary academy in Odiham, Hampshire. The school is proud of its heritage and has been serving the local community since 1694, when Robert May, a local Mercer, bequeathed the sum of Six Hundred Pounds of Lawful English Money to be paid for the maintenance of a Free-School in the Town of Odiham.

The school’s current number on roll is 1232 and due to demographic pressures from local residential growth, the academy is increasing its planned admission numbers (PAN) from September 2019 over a period of 4 years which will give a projected PAN of 1350 by 2023, thereby increasing capacity for 1 additional form of entry.

There is a strong ethos of mutual respect and appreciation of hard work, characterised by an unfailing belief that all students can succeed in their chosen paths and are capable of achieving excellence every day in whatever they do.

The tender project is seeking to appoint a Supplier whose initiative and innovation will be welcomed for the provision of service within the existing facilities for the 1 232 students on roll and 170 teaching and support staff, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of students tastes and dietary requirements. The Client wishes the successful Supplier to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly.

The contract being tendered is for 3 years in duration from September 2018 to August 2021, with an option by the Supplier to extend to August 2023. The contract will operate as a guaranteed performance contract, with the successful Supplier offering the Client a guaranteed return / cost per annum for the provision of catering services. Sovereignty of the cash tariff is to remain with the Client for the duration of this contract.

The academic year is based on a calendar of 195 days. 5 days are to be used for staff professional development which means that School will be open to receive students for the legal minimum of 190 days.

The contract offered covers the scope for the provision of all school catering services, which currently includes breakfast, morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Free School Meals and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost.

Whilst the Client prioritises value for money as a key objective of the competitive tender process, the governing body is not obliged to accept the lowest price.

The value of the current contract is:

2015/16

Cash Sales: 124 561 GBP

Free Issues (Hospitality and FSM): 24 834 GBP

Total: 149 395 GBP

2016/17

Cash Sales: 173 562 GBP

Free Issues (Hospitality and FSM): 25 225 GBP

Total: 198 787 GBP

2017/18 YTD

Cash Sales: 37 814 GBP

Free Issues (Hospitality and FSM): 5 044 GBP

Total: 42 858 GBP

The Client expects the successful Supplier 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 Client expects the successful Supplier to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of healthy eating.

As a school that is 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 inward capital investment as part of the Supplier’s tender submission would be welcomed. The Client would wish for the Supplier to look at making this investment within the existing kitchen and dining areas.

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