Canteen Catering Services for Coláiste Dún Iascaigh

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 providing canteen catering services at Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. The contractor will deliver a high-quality, responsive, and flexible catering service to students, staff, and visitors, ensuring healthy, balanced, and nutritious meals at affordable prices.

• Service Days: Monday to Friday during the school year.
• Meal Types: Comprehensive healthy meals, including wholemeal or wholegrain cereals, pies, casseroles, and stews.
• Volume: Catering for approximately 100 students remaining on campus each evening.
• School Year: 166 days plus 12 days for State Examinations.
• Pricing: Fixed utility charge of €300 per week.
• Location: Canteen Kitchen Facility at Coláiste Dún Iascaigh.
• Compliance: Adherence to health and safety standards, environmental policies, and quality assurance systems.
• Phases: Initial setup, ongoing service delivery, and potential contract extensions.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is issued by the Tipperary Education and Training Board to secure a reliable catering service for Coláiste Dún Iascaigh. The procurement aligns with the school's objective to provide nutritious meals to its students and staff. The estimated contract value of €430,000 reflects anticipated usage and budgetary considerations. The initiative encourages SME participation, promoting social and economic benefits through potential collaborations with larger enterprises.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Minimum annual turnover of €150,000 for 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: Successful delivery of three comparable contracts 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.

6. Submission requirements

• Method statement / response document: Follow RFT format, no page limits specified.
• CVs: Not specified for this tender.
• Pricing schedule: Complete Appendix 2, format not specified.
• Case studies: Three previous contracts, no value range specified.
• Declarations: ESPD, Tax clearance, Conflict of Interest.
• Mandatory site visit: 25th May 2026, 10 am, Coláiste Dún Iascaigh.
• Submission portal: eTenders, ZIP format, max 500MB total.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

The contract is for 24 months, with up to two 12-month extensions. Payments are subject to the Services Contract terms, with prices adjustable annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Key performance indicators include service quality and compliance with health standards. Termination clauses allow for 14 days' notice. Intellectual property rights remain with the contracting authority. Sub-contracting is permitted, but the prime contractor holds overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

The mandatory site visit requirement may limit participation to local firms. The fixed utility charge of €300 per week could impact smaller bidders' pricing strategies. The insurance requirements are substantial, potentially excluding smaller operators without existing coverage. The tender's reliance on external funding for extensions introduces uncertainty.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for SMEs with a turnover exceeding €150,000 and experience in similar catering contracts. Consortium bids and sub-contracting are allowed, offering flexibility for smaller firms to collaborate. Bid preparation is moderate, likely requiring several days of effort. The incumbent's strength is not specified, but the open procedure suggests a competitive opportunity for new entrants.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: Invitation to Tender for Canteen Catering Services for Coláiste Dún Iascaigh.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: 8117421
• Clarification portal: eTenders messaging facility
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1: Requirements and Specifications
• Appendix 2: Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3: Tenderer’s Statement