Call for Tender for the provision of Cold Lunches under the School Meals Scheme to St Pius X Boys’ National School 19177U

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The tender involves the provision of cold lunches to St. Pius X Boys’ National School under the School Meals Scheme. The contractor will be responsible for delivering nutritious meals to the school on each of the 180 school days annually.

• Meal Composition: Each lunch must include four items plus a drink, comprising two servings of vegetables, salad, or fruit, and one serving of wholemeal or protein.
• Delivery Requirements: Meals must be delivered to the school's reception area daily.
• Food Standards: Meals must adhere to nutritional standards and accommodate dietary restrictions such as lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and halal options.
• Food Safety: The contractor must maintain compliance with food safety regulations, including HACCP procedures.
• Ordering System: A reliable food ordering system (e.g., app, website, email) must be provided, allowing for meal orders and adjustments.
• Packaging: Meals should be individually packaged and labeled, with cutlery and napkins provided as needed.
• Volume: The contractor is expected to meet the daily meal requirements as specified in the tender documents.
• Compliance: The contractor must be registered as a Food Business Operator (FBO) with the relevant authority and update their Food Safety Management System as necessary.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is part of the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Scheme, aimed at providing nutritious meals to students. St. Pius X Boys’ National School is seeking a contractor to ensure consistent meal delivery that meets dietary and nutritional standards. The initiative aligns with national goals to improve child nutrition and support educational outcomes. The tender replaces an existing contract, though the incumbent provider is not named. The strategic driver is to enhance student well-being through improved meal quality and variety.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum annual turnover of €156,672 for each of the three financial years preceding the tender.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million per claim.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million per claim.
• Product Liability: €6.5 million per claim.
• Motor Cover: €1.3 million for third-party property damage.
• Crime Insurance: €100,000 per claim.
• Cyber Liability: €1 million per claim.
• Certifications: Registration as a Food Business Operator (FBO) with the Health Service Executive (HSE) or the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM).
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable projects within the last three years, demonstrating similar scale and nature.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Price/quality split: MEAT (Most Economically Advantageous Tender).

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Use named template, no page limits specified.
• CVs: Maximum 2 pages for Key Account Manager.
• Pricing schedule: Format not specified.
• Case studies: Minimum of three, demonstrating similar scale and nature.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: Attendance required; date not specified.
• Submission portal: eTenders; format rules not specified.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is structured with a term not specified in the documents. Payment terms are 30 days in arrears. Key performance indicators include consistent meal delivery and adherence to nutritional standards. Liquidated damages or penalties for non-compliance are not detailed. Termination clauses allow for contract cessation with 14 days' notice for unresolved breaches. Intellectual property ownership and sub-contracting rules are not specified. No parent-company guarantee or bond requirements are mentioned.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The turnover requirement is set at €156,672, which may limit participation to firms with substantial financial capacity. The mandatory site visit is a critical requirement, and failure to attend results in automatic disqualification. The tender demands a high level of insurance coverage, which could be a barrier for smaller firms. The integration of a comprehensive food ordering system may pose challenges for non-incumbents unfamiliar with the school's existing processes.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for medium-sized catering firms with experience in large-scale food service operations. Firms must have robust financial standing and comprehensive insurance coverage. Consortium bids are allowed, enabling smaller firms to partner and meet turnover requirements collectively. Bid preparation is likely to require several days, given the need for detailed method statements and case studies. The presence of an incumbent provider is not confirmed, but the requirements suggest a competitive environment.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: "TRD - Cold-Lunch - St Pius X Boys’ National School 19177U.docx"
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: eTenders platform
• Important attachments: "Appendix B2 — Suitability Assessment", "Mandatory Requirements Schedule"