IMAT Catering Tender

Impact Multi Academy Trust is a multi-academy trust currently operating eight schools across the London region serving approximately 8,000 students.

The Trust is tendering its Catering Services Provision for five of its eight schools as follows:

The new contract will commence on 1st August 2026 for an initial term of three (3) years, with termly and annual performance reviews and an appropriate break clause. There will be an option to extend for a further two years (1+1), subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement on budgets and service levels. Each participating school benefits from well-used dining facilities, with modern, well-maintained kitchens forming the hub of their catering provision.

The projected turnover for the three-year contract is expected to be circa £5.6 million.

This contract is designed to encourage proactive management, maximise meal uptake, ensure consistently high food quality and deliver tangible contract support. The Trust, supported by CCL, expects the successful Contractor to reasonably guarantee their financial proposal and maintain excellent service standards.

The procurement process follows a two stage ‘Competitive Flexible’ approach, beginning with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) stage followed by an Invitation to Tender (ITT) stage for shortlisted bidders. This process is managed under the Light Touch Regime, and the Trust reserves the right to refine the award criteria throughout.

To declare your interest in the tender and download contract documents (available free of charge), please register on https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cohesionconsulting/aspx/Home.

In short, the Trust needs to be convinced that bidders can deliver their promises in full, achieve their sales projections, and meet their service enhancements. If the Trust is not convinced of this, it reserves the right to consider an insourced solution or make no award. Any investment proposals must align with ESFA guidelines.