Open11 days left · closes 11:59pm, Monday 23 November 2026

Catering Services

Connect Academy Trust · Education

In brief

Connect Academy Trust is looking for suppliers for catering work (UK-wide).

The estimated value is £850,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 3 years, up to 5 years with extensions, starting 1 April 2027.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bids close at 11:59pm, Monday 23 November 2026.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Key dates

Questions by: 11:59pm, Monday 16 November 2026
Bids by: 11:59pm, Monday 23 November 2026

Competition

Typical: a median of 5 bids per contract for catering contracts across the UK (from 352 awards in the last 12 months).

Tender documents

What the notice says

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.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

Can you prepare a good bid in 11 days?Leave time for clarification questions and sign-off.
Is a contract of about £850,000 a size you can deliver?Buyers often check that your turnover is comfortably larger than the yearly contract value.
Can you deliver in locations across the UK?Check the delivery locations in the tender documents.
Can you meet what the notice mentions: TUPE applies, Social value questions?The tender documents will say exactly what is required.
Are you registered on the Central Digital Platform?You need to be registered to take part under the Procurement Act 2023.
The buyer says this suits small businesses.A good sign if you are an SME, but check the requirements.

How to bid

Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.
Send clarification questions before 11:59pm, Monday 16 November 2026.
Make sure your bid arrives before 11:59pm, Monday 23 November 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Timeline

14 October 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 096984-2026
4 November 2026Tender notice · UK4, notice 104533-2026

About the buyer

Connect Academy TrustLast 12 months

Procurements

Awards

All tenders and awards from Connect Academy Trust

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From notice 096984-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 14 October 2026, last updated 4 November 2026. We last checked for changes on 4 November 2026.