Call for tender for the provision of Hot School Meals under the School Meals Scheme to St Joseph's NS 07442U

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 contract involves the provision of hot meals to 98 students at St Joseph's NS, in compliance with the Department of Social Protection's School Hot Meals Scheme. The successful contractor must ensure that meals are delivered daily during the school year, which consists of 182 school days. The service delivery model includes the following options:

• Meals Pre-Prepared Off-site and Delivered Ready to Eat: Meals must be delivered hot to classrooms before lunch.
• Meals Pre-Prepared Off-Site and Heated in the School’s Designated Preparation Area: Meals are heated on-site and delivered to classrooms in time for lunch.
• Meals Pre-Prepared Off-Site and Heated in the School by External Pod or Mobile Catering Unit: Similar to the previous model, but using mobile units.
• Meals Fully Prepared On-Site: Meals are prepared and served on-site, ensuring they are ready for students at the beginning of lunch.

The contractor must adhere to strict timelines to ensure meals are available at 12:00 each school day. The school calendar will be provided to the successful bidder at the start of each academic year.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as part of the ongoing implementation of the School Meals Scheme, funded by the Department of Social Protection. The scheme aims to provide nutritious meals to students, enhancing their health and educational outcomes. The procurement aligns with government initiatives to support school nutrition programs. St Joseph's NS has a history of providing meal services but is seeking a new contractor to ensure compliance with updated standards and requirements.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €57,075.20 for the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Public Liability: €6,500,000.00 for any one claim.
• Employer's Liability: €13,000,000.00 for any one claim.
• Product Liability: €6,500,000.00 for any one claim.
• Motor Cover: Minimum limit of €1,300,000.00 for third-party damage.
• Cyber Liability: €1,000,000.00 for any one claim.
• Crime Insurance: €100,000.00 for any one claim.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Not specified for this tender.
• Personnel: Key Account Managers must hold a Food Safety/HACCP qualification and have a minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar role.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

There are no specified minimum scoring thresholds per criterion or overall.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documents:

• Method statement / response document: Follow the named template with a maximum of 10 pages.
• CVs: Include CVs for key personnel, limited to 2 pages each.
• Pricing schedule: Use the specified template.
• Case studies: Provide 2 case studies of similar projects, with values between €50,000 and €100,000.
• Declarations: Include ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory site visit: Required between 4th May and 11th May 2026, by appointment with Aidan Keenaghan at [email protected].
• Submission portal: Tenders must be submitted via eTenders; follow specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract will be for a term of 12 months, with the possibility of two extensions of one year each. Payment will be made on a 30-day arrears basis, with a fee of €3.20 (VAT exempt) per student per day for each hot meal provided. Key performance indicators (KPIs) will include timely meal delivery and compliance with nutritional standards. The contract may be terminated with 14 days' notice if either party fails to remedy breaches within 30 days. Intellectual property rights for any materials developed during the contract will remain with the contracting authority.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Several risks and red flags are associated with this tender:

• Funding Dependency: The contract is contingent on annual funding from the Department of Social Protection, which may not be guaranteed.
• Mandatory Site Visit: The requirement for a site visit may limit participation from bidders unfamiliar with the school environment.
• Limited Scope: The strict adherence to specific meal preparation and delivery models may exclude innovative proposals that do not fit the outlined criteria.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in catering and food services. Eligible bidders should have the necessary insurance coverage and meet the turnover requirement. Consortium or subcontracting arrangements are permitted, allowing smaller firms to collaborate with larger entities. Bid preparation is estimated to require approximately 5-10 days, depending on the complexity of the proposal. The incumbent's strength and the specific funding conditions may signal a competitive landscape for new bidders.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: CFT Hot Meals - St Josephs NS 07442U.docx
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 5: Services Contract