The supply and delivery of Canteen Catering Services in Raheen College and CTI Clonmel Co. Tipperary

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 providing canteen catering services at Raheen College and CTI Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. The contract requires a high-quality, responsive, and flexible catering service offering healthy, balanced, and nutritious meals at affordable prices. The service is to be provided on weekdays during the school year.

• Service Locations: Raheen College and CTI Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
• Service Days: Monday to Friday, aligning with the school calendar.
• School Year: 166 days plus 12 days for State Examinations.
• Daily Volume: Approximately 199 students per day.
• Service Requirements:
• Comprehensive menu planning to include healthy and balanced meals.
• Pricing to remain affordable for students, staff, and visitors.
• Flexibility to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences.
• Operational Requirements:
• Use of the existing canteen kitchen facilities.
• Compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Provision of all necessary equipment and supplies for food preparation and service.
• Contract Management:
• Regular reporting on service delivery and customer satisfaction.
• Engagement with school management to ensure service alignment with expectations.
• Phases:
• Initial setup and mobilisation.
• Ongoing service delivery.
• Evaluation and feedback phase for continuous improvement.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is initiated by the Tipperary Education and Training Board to ensure the provision of nutritious and affordable meals to students and staff at Raheen College and CTI Clonmel. The initiative aligns with educational policies promoting student well-being and healthy eating habits. The contract is part of a broader strategy to enhance educational environments through improved support services. The incumbent service provider, if any, is not named in the documents. The strategic driver is to maintain high standards of catering services within educational institutions.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €100,000 over the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable contracts successfully delivered in the past five years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The evaluation follows the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) principle, with a 70/30 quality/price split. No minimum scoring thresholds are specified.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Use named template, no page limits specified.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Complete Appendix 2, format not specified.
• Case studies: Three required, demonstrating past contract values and scope.
• Declarations: ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: 15 May 2026, starting at Raheen College.
• Submission portal: eTenders, documents must be in ZIP format.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for 24 months, with the possibility of two 12-month extensions. Payment terms are aligned with the Services Contract, with prices subject to annual adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index. Key performance indicators include service quality and customer satisfaction. Liquidated damages or penalty regimes are not specified. Termination clauses allow for a 14-day notice period. Intellectual property ownership and subcontracting rules are not detailed. No parent-company guarantee or bond is required.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The tender specifies a turnover requirement that may limit participation to firms with a stable financial history. The mandatory site visit could restrict participation to local firms or those willing to travel. The integration of existing kitchen facilities may pose challenges for non-incumbents unfamiliar with the setup. The contract's dependency on school calendar days could impact revenue stability. No explicit mention of TUPE obligations, though TUPE information is provided at the site visit stage.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized catering firms with experience in educational settings. Firms should have a turnover exceeding €100,000 and the ability to meet insurance requirements. Consortium bids and subcontracting are allowed, offering flexibility for SMEs to partner with larger entities. Bid preparation is moderate, requiring detailed service proposals and past performance documentation. The presence of an incumbent is not confirmed, but the tender does not appear to be tailored to a specific supplier.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: "Invitation to Tender for Canteen Catering Services for Raheen College and CTI.pdf"
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email or clarification portal: eTenders messaging facility
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement