The Litmus Partnership: The Equa Mead Trust ~ Catering Tender

UK-Devizes: School catering services.

Section I: Contracting Authority

   I.1) Name, Addresses and Contact Point(s):
       The Equa Mead Trust
       Lavington School, The Spring, Market Lavington, Devizes, SN10 4EB, United Kingdom
       Tel. +44 1276673880, Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
       Main Address: https://www.equamead.org/
       NUTS Code: UKK1

   I.2) Joint procurement:
      The contract involves joint procurement: Yes          
      In the case of joint procurement involving different countries, state applicable national procurement law: Not Provided
      The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body: No

   I.4)Type of the contracting authority:
      Body governed by public law

   I.5) Main activity:
      Education

Section II: Object Of The Contract

   II.1) Scope of the procurement

      II.1.1) Title: The Equa Mead Trust ~ Catering Tender            
      Reference number: Not Provided

      II.1.2) Main CPV code:
         55524000 - School catering services.


      II.1.3) Type of contract: SERVICES

      II.1.4) Short description: EQUA Mead Learning Trust is a Multi Academy Trust based around the Trowbridge and Devizes areas in Wiltshire. The trust started in 2019 and has now increased in size to 19 Schools, consisting of 17 Primary and 2 Secondary schools. In addition, three more additional schools are currently in the process of joining and are likely to convert in September 2025, taking the to 22 schools.

      II.1.6) Information about lots
         This contract is divided into lots: No
            
      II.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
          Value: 3,060,408.56
                  
         Currency:GBP            

   II.2) Description

      II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s):
      Not Provided

      II.2.3) Place of performance
      Nuts code:
      UKK1 - Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area
   
      Main site or place of performance:
      Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area
             

      II.2.4) Description of the procurement: EQUA Mead Learning Trust is a Multi Academy Trust based around the Trowbridge and Devizes areas in Wiltshire. The trust started in 2019 and has now increased in size to 19 Schools, consisting of 17 Primary and 2 Secondary schools. In addition, three more additional schools are currently in the process of joining and are likely to convert in September 2025, taking the to 22 schools.
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, initially for the two secondary schools, Lavington and The John of Gaunt along with one primary school St Nicholas in Bromham who between them have will have approximately 2350 students and 275 teaching and support staff as at 1 September 2025, one further primary school will join in 2026 when their current contract ends and further joiners from the trust will likely follow.
A focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of student tastes and dietary requirements is important. The trust would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly.
Initially the contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028 and will operate as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with the successful Contractor offering the school 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 is based on a calendar of 195 days. Five 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 catering services within the School, which currently includes morning break, lunch, all hospitality and free issue requirements. Within the 195 days, the Trust will require hospitality for various networks, meetings and events that it hosts. We are also keen for the contractor to implement where required a breakfast and after school option. Free School meals and hospitality will be charged based on consumption and at net food cost.
Whilst the School prioritises value for money as a key objective of the Competitive Tender Process, the Trustees are 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 the trust sites. The School expects the successful tenderer to evidence, through their bid, how they shall support and complement its values and support the principles of Keeping Children Safe in Education.
The School 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. Much time therefore, is spent reviewing and planning schemes of work to ensure that they are differentiated to meet the needs of all students. As a result, the trust Schools are very enthusiastic regarding work experience and apprenticeship proposals and would welcome the input of the successful Contractor.
As a trust 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 inward capital investment as part of the Contractor’s tender submission would be welcomed. The trust would wish for the Contractor to look at making this investment within the existing dining areas.
Please be advised that this contract will be let on a 3 + 2 years basis.
See SQ Document for more information.

      II.2.5) Award criteria:
       Not Provided

      II.2.11) Information about options
         Options: No
         

      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: This is a Contract Award Notice - this contract has already been awarded.


Section IV: Procedure

IV.1) Description

   IV.1.1)Type of procedure: Restricted


   IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
      The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement: No       
      A dynamic purchasing system was set up: No

   IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction
      An electronic auction has been used: No

   IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
      The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

IV.2) Administrative information

   IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
       Notice number in the OJEU: 2025/S 000-003293
      
   

   IV.2.9) Information about termination of call for competition in the form of a prior information notice
      The contracting authority will not award any further contracts based on the above prior information notice: No

Section V: Award of contract

Award Of Contract (No.1)

   Contract No: Not Provided    
   Lot Number: Not Provided    
   Title: Not Provided

   A contract/lot is awarded: Yes


   V.2) Award of contract

      V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract: 23/06/2025

      V.2.2) Information about tenders
         Number of tenders received: 6
         Number of tenders received from SMEs: Not Provided          
         Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: Not Provided          
         Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: Not Provided          
         Number of tenders received by electronic means: Not Provided

      V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

      The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
         
         Contractor (No.1)
             Innovate Services Ltd, 06420662
             St Andrews House, West Street, Woking, GU21 6EB, United Kingdom
             NUTS Code: UKJ2
            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: 3,033,060          
         Total value of the contract/lot: 3,060,408.56
         Currency: GBP

      V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
         The contract is likely to be subcontracted: No
         
Section VI: Complementary information

   VI.3) Additional information: To view this notice, please click here:
https://litmustms.co.uk/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=963818926
   VI.4) Procedures for review

      VI.4.1) Review body
          The Equa Mead Trust
          Lavington School, The Spring, Market Lavington, Devizes, SN10 4EB, United Kingdom
          Tel. +44 1276673880, Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk

      VI.4.3) Review procedure
         Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures: Not Provided

      VI.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
         Not Provided

   VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice: 04/07/2025

ANNEX A

   I) Address of the other contracting authority on behalf of which the contracting authority is purchasing   
   1: Contracting Authority
       Bellefield Primary and Nursery School
       Windermere Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8TE, United Kingdom
       Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
       Main Address: www.bellefield.wilts.sch.uk
       NUTS Code: UKK1
   
   2: Contracting Authority
       Lavington School
       The Spring, Market Lavington, Devizes, SN10 4EB, United Kingdom
       Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
       Main Address: www.lavington.wilts.sch.uk
       NUTS Code: UKK1
   
   3: Contracting Authority
       St Nicholas C of E Primary School
       The Leaze, Bromham, Chippenham, SN15 2EY, United Kingdom
       Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
       Main Address: www.stnicholasbromham.co.uk
       NUTS Code: UKK1
   
   4: Contracting Authority
       The John of Gaunt School
       Wingfield Road, Trowbridge, BA14 9EH, United Kingdom
       Email: tenders@litmuspartnership.co.uk
       Main Address: www.johnofgauntschool.org
       NUTS Code: UKK1