Open tenders / Catering & food
Open tender · Notice 088222-2026
Dartford Science and Technology College ~ Catering Tender
Dartford Science and Technology College
- Value
- Value not stated
- Closes
- 5 Feb 2027 (89 days)
- Where
- South East
- Lots
- 1
- Suitable for SMEs
- Yes, says the buyer
- Contract
- 1 Aug 2027 – 31 Jul 2030
In plain English
Dartford Science and Technology College wants a catering contractor to run all its food services — morning break, lunch, hospitality and free school meals — for around 860 students and 101 staff, over 195 school days a year. The contract runs three years, from 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2030, on a guaranteed return/cost per year basis with the school keeping control of meal prices.
Good fit for: Contract catering firms with experience of school meals.
- Must be bid as a Guaranteed Performance Contract, with a guaranteed annual return or cost to the school
- Pre-qualification questionnaire (PSQ) must be completed
- Bids go through the Litmus eSourcing portal
- Free school meals and hospitality charged at net food cost based on consumption
Written with AI from the official notice. Check the notice before relying on it.
What the buyer says
DSTC is a nurturing, engaging local authority maintained 11-18 school where students achieve well and flourish. DSTC is unique in Dartford as the only non-selective school for girls.In addition we have a coeducational Post 16. We pride ourselves on the excellent relationships between staff, students and parents. We are committed to providing enriched opportunities and experiences that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM), while actively cultivating an ethos that values learning and ensures our students are safe, happy, and empowered to achieve. 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 for the 860 students on roll and 101 teaching and support staff, with a focus on exciting new food concepts to satisfy a wide range of pupil tastes and dietary requirements. The School would wish the successful contractor to review the current range of services offered and make recommendations accordingly. The contract being tendered is for three years in duration from 1/8/2027 to 31/7/2030 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 Dartford Science and Technology College 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 hospital…
Getting the documents
litmustms.co.uk (linked from the notice).
Procedure: Competitive flexible procedure (Flexible: the buyer sets the stages, often a shortlist first, then bids). Published 17 Sep 2026.
What similar contracts went for
Similar contracts went for £833k to £3.6m (9 since 2026).
| Contract | Won by | Value | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collingwood College - Catering Tender Collingwood College | Innovate Services Limited | £2.8m | 11 Aug |
| Brockenhurst College ~ Catering Tender Brockenhurst College | Aramark Ltd | £2.3m | 24 Jun |
| Comberton Village College - Catering Services Tender The CAM Academy Trust | abm Catering Limited | £1.9m | 19 Jun |
| St Gregory's Catholic College - Catering Tender Saint Gregory's Catholic College | Impact Food Group Limited | £2.2m | 27 May |
| Dartford Grammar School For Boys ~ Catering Tender Dartford Grammar School For Boys | Innovate Services Ltd | £3.2m | 19 May |
| Hodge Hill College & Braidwood School for the Deaf ~ Catering Tender Hodge Hill College & Braidwood School for the Deaf | Mellors Catering Services | £1.9m | 14 May |
| Catering Services Contract for New College Swindon New College Swindon | Aramark Limited | £3.6m | 23 Apr |
| Woking College ~ Catering Tender Woking College | Cater Link Limited | £833k | 13 Mar |
| Stanmore College Catering Tender Stanmore College | Stir Food | £1.7m | 26 Feb |
From the award notices on Find a Tender and Public Contracts Scotland. Values are as each notice states them and cover the contract's whole term: most notices give the value before VAT, but about one in seven gives only a figure including VAT. AI picked these as the same kind of work and can be wrong, so check what each one included before you price.
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