Taunton Academy - Catering Services

The successful tenderer will be required to provide catering services at Taunton Academy. Taunton Academy provides education for up to 1150 students aged between 11 and 19, including 100 in Years 12 and 13. Taunton Academy has undergone an £11 million investment programme, which was completed in 2013, and students are now enjoying the full use of new and exciting facilities! They are benefiting fully from brand new resources, with the opportunity to stay on for post 16 provision again in brand new facilities! The Academy is one of only two secondary schools in Taunton that offer 11-18 education. Every student has an iPad to assist with their learning and access a wide range of resources, increasing both their enjoyment of lessons and progress within each subject. All the buildings have been designed to take into account the latest in education technology and initiative, including a multi-million pound new Science wing with a Super Lab where students thrive in a 'hands on' learning environment. There are many opportunities to be involved in exciting learning programmes, where students are developing their leadership skills and growing in confidence using a wide range of IT which gives them individual access through our wireless systems. The Design and Technology zone offers a pro-kitchen for budding chefs and a range of workshop experiences. Art, Music and Drama are housed in a three story building and is the 'heartbeat' of the Academy with its own radio station, recording facilities, and dance facilities. The Academy’s values of Aspiration, Integrity and Respect are core to the learning community. The 'Heart spaces' within each 'College', give space, light and an open, enjoyable learning, self-study, social, supportive and exciting spaces. The Academy sponsors are Richard Huish Trust. (Please read the School Prospectus on the Taunton Academy web site.) The contract will commence on 1 September 2016 for three years, with the possibility of an extension up to a maximum of ten years. The contract covers the scope for the provision of all catering services within the Academy, which also includes all hospitality and free issue requirements. The school also provides send out lunches to two Primary schools in the area. The Academy expects the successful contractor to be committed to compliance with the School Food Plan, using fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients prepared on site. Commitment to other school initiatives and Government policies that are relevant to catering is also required. The Academy’s contract turnover excluding the Primary school send outs is circa £103,000 per annum.

Additional information: Interest in the pre-qualification process should be expressed via email only to [email protected], clearly stating within this email which contract / notice you are referring to. Please also provide, as a minimum, a contact name, full company postal address and telephone number.

The pre-qualification questionnaire and associated documents can be obtained at: http://www.litmuspartnership.co.uk/project/taunton_academy

The closing date for receipt of the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire is 18.12.2015 (12:00). Tenderers are required to ensure that documents are obtained and returned to The Litmus Partnership Limited, by email to [email protected], by the above closing date and time.

Documents in respect of economic / financial standing (where indicated in the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire) shall be returned to The Litmus Partnership Limited, by email to [email protected], by the above closing date and time.

It will be the Tenderer's responsibility to obtain any necessary documents in order to submit a response by the closing date and time.

The contracting authority reserves the right not to award any or part of the contract which is the subject of this OJEU notice and reserves the right to terminate the procurement process at any time.

The contracting authority will not be liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in tendering for this contract opportunity.

The contracting authority will consider variant bids, evaluating them (so far as the variant or the evaluation of the variant is in the opinion of the contracting authority practicable) on the same basis as a conforming bid, but shall not be obliged to accept any such bid in preference to a conforming bid even if the variant bid scores more highly. No variant will be considered unless the bidder simultaneously submits a conforming bid.