Provision of Hospitality and Catering Services to Scoil Uí Mhuirí

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 contractor is responsible for providing comprehensive hospitality and catering services to Scoil Uí Mhuirí, which serves approximately 655 students and 65 staff. The services include daily meal provision during the academic year, specifically breakfast and lunch, as well as after-school club meals.

The key activities involved in the contract include:

• Meal Provision:

• Breakfast for 655 students, five days a week.

• Lunch for 655 students, five days a week.

• Afterschool club meals for 40 students, four days a week.

• Operational Hours:

• Breakfast service from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

• Lunch service from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

• Afterschool club service from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

• Menu Development:

• Preparation of a core menu cycle to be provided to the Board in advance each month.

• Inclusion of at least 10% organic food by value in specified categories (cereals, beef, lamb, pork, poultry, fish, vegetables, and dairy).

• Hygiene and Safety Compliance:

• Adherence to all relevant food safety and hygiene regulations.

• Regular inspections by the Board to ensure compliance with health and safety standards.

• Equipment Maintenance:

• Responsibility for the maintenance and cleanliness of all kitchen equipment and service areas.

• Reporting and Meetings:

• Regular performance assessments through meetings with the Board to discuss service delivery and improvements.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being procured as part of the Louth Meath Education & Training Board's initiative to enhance the quality of food services in schools under its jurisdiction. The contract aligns with government policies aimed at improving student nutrition and promoting healthy eating habits in educational settings. The Board has a history of managing catering services in schools and is seeking a reliable contractor to ensure the effective delivery of these services. The incumbent provider is not specified in the documents.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement:

• Minimum average annual turnover of €400,000 for each of the last three years.

• Insurance:

• Employers Liability: €13,000,000 per claim.

• Public Liability: €6,500,000 per claim.

• Certifications:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Past experience:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Personnel:

• Not specified for this tender.

• Geographic / facility constraints:

• Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

The evaluation will follow a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) approach, balancing price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the provided template with a page limit of 10 pages.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Use the specified template for pricing.
• Case studies: Provide 2 case studies of similar projects, with values ranging from €100,000 to €500,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Not specified for this tender.
• Submission portal: All submissions must be made via eTenders, adhering to the specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: The contract duration is 24 months, with one possible extension of 24 months.
• Payment terms: Invoices must be submitted within 30 days of service delivery.
• Key SLAs/KPIs: Performance will be assessed through regular meetings and adherence to health and safety standards.
• Liquidated damages: Not specified for this tender.
• Termination clauses: The Board may terminate the contract with three months' written notice or immediately for cause.
• IP ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting rules: The Licensee may not delegate duties without prior written consent from the Board.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover threshold: The minimum turnover requirement of €400,000 may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Geographic constraints: Not specified, but if present, could restrict the pool of eligible bidders.
• Compliance requirements: Strict adherence to food safety and hygiene regulations may pose challenges for bidders without prior experience in school catering.
• Performance monitoring: Regular assessments by the Board may lead to increased scrutiny and pressure on the contractor.

10. SME fit assessment

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can credibly bid for this contract should have:

• Experience in providing catering services, particularly in educational settings.
• The capability to meet the insurance and turnover requirements.
• A solid understanding of food safety and hygiene regulations.

Consortium or sub-contracting arrangements are not explicitly mentioned, suggesting that bidders should be prepared to fulfill all contract obligations independently. The indicative bid preparation effort is estimated at 10-15 days, considering the need for detailed documentation and compliance checks. The presence of a minimum turnover requirement may signal a competitive bidding environment, particularly if incumbents have established relationships with the Board.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: 2026 20 Appendix 3 Tenderer's Statement (2).docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: Not specified
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement
• Schedule B: Services - The Specification
• Schedule C: Charges - Form of Tender