Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13b92-60aa-7298-94d0-07b7a653a174/catering-services Open for bids GB open procedure Suitable for SMEs # Catering Services [Connect Academy Trust](https://tendernation.io/buyers/connect-academy-trust) Estimated value £850,000 Published 14 Oct 2026 Deadline 29 days left 16 Nov 2026 ## Who can bid - Open to suppliers based in the UK The buyer has limited bidding to suppliers with substantive operations in this area. [PPN 005: reserving by supplier location](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ppn-005-reserving-below-threshold-procurements/ppn-005-guide-to-reserving-below-threshold-html) - Buyer says suitable for SMEs The buyer ticked “suitable for SMEs” on the notice. Anyone can still bid. - Below-threshold contract Buyers cannot shortlist bidders on suitability before tenders are in, so everyone gets to submit a bid (except some larger works contracts). [Procurement Act 2023, section 85](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/section/85) - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. [More contracts for small businesses and VCSEs](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/for-small-businesses) ## About this tender The Trust invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified catering providers for the provision of school catering services across nine schools within the Trust (based in Plymouth, Torquay and Newton Abbott). Current value of contract is £850,000. The contract will include: - Daily pupil meal provision - Free School Meal provision - Hospitality services - Nutritional compliance - Sustainability objectives - Social value commitments The procurement will be conducted under the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Interested suppliers must demonstrate: - Relevant education sector experience - Financial stability - Appropriate insurances - Safeguarding compliance - Food safety management systems - TUPE experience The estimated contract commencement date is 1 April 2027. ## CPV classification Catering services Source Find a Tender (UK) · Notice 096984-2026 [View official notice](https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096984-2026) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register) [Buyer profile Connect Academy Trust: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/connect-academy-trust) [Sector More Hospitality, catering & hotel services tenders](https://tendernation.io/sectors/hospitality-catering) ## More tenders like this [Danes Educational Trust · Danes Educational Trust · 31 days left · 19 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bec-679d-7290-b82a-f9dda2a484aa/danes-educational-trust) [CA18527 - Danes Educational Trust · Danes Educational Trust · 31 days left · 19 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13def-82eb-725d-976d-e5740482692b/ca18527-danes-educational-trust) [All Saints’ Academy ~ Catering Tender · All Saints' Academy · 88 days left · 15 Jan 2027](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13be5-577d-73bd-a926-268d877f9525/all-saints-academy-catering-tender) [Search Education Trust - Catering Tender · Educo · 24 days left · 12 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13beb-cd52-7087-b926-cfa88ce618e5/search-education-trust-catering-tender) [School Catering Services Framework Agreement · Moorlands Learning Trust · 16 days left · 3 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bea-ea3f-7215-8b65-122a6af425eb/school-catering-services-framework-agreement) [The Priory Federation of Academies Trust ~ Cleaning Tender · The Priory Federation of Academies Trust · 137 days left · 5 Mar 2027](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13bea-10ad-734f-84da-235212ec31a8/the-priory-federation-of-academies-trust-cleaning-tender)