Call for Tender for the provision of cold lunch under the School Meals Scheme to Scoil Naomh Naille, Roll 15770K

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

1. At a glance

Buyer Title CPV / category Estimated value Per-year Procedure type Lots Location Contract length Submission deadline Go-live / start |--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|-----------------|----------|----------------|------|------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------|------------------| St. Naul's National School Call for Tender for the provision of cold lunch (with drink) under the School Meals Scheme to Scoil Naomh Naille, Roll 15770K 55524000 €104,652.00 not stated Open Procedure Not used Keelogs, Inver, Co. Donegal 1 year, with 2 possible extensions 15:00hrs, on 5th June 2026 Academic year 2025/2026

2. Scope of Work

The contract involves providing catering services for cold lunches to students at Scoil Naomh Naille, in compliance with the Department of Social Protection’s School Meals Scheme. The successful Tenderer must deliver meals for 180 school days, with a total maximum of 61,560 meals over a three-year term. The service requires:

• Meal Preparation: All food must be prepared off-site and delivered ready to eat, adhering to food legislation.
• Delivery: Meals must be delivered to designated drop-off points at the school, maintaining the cold chain until consumption.
• Service Availability: Meals must be available each school day, with payment based on actual orders from parents/guardians.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Tenderers must conduct a site visit between 22nd and 29th May 2026 to familiarize themselves with the school environment.
• Compliance: The service must comply with the School Meals Scheme and relevant food safety regulations.

The contract does not include optional add-ons or extras beyond the specified meal provision.

3. Background & buyer context

This tender is being issued as part of the ongoing School Meals Scheme funded by the Department of Social Protection. The scheme aims to provide nutritious meals to students, enhancing their educational experience and well-being. The Board of Management of Scoil Naomh Naille seeks to ensure that students receive healthy meals during school hours. The contract is intended to support the school's operational needs for the academic year 2025/2026, contingent on annual funding approval.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum annual turnover of €34,884 for each of the three financial years preceding the tender publication.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million limit for any one claim.
• Public Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim.
• Product Liability: €6.5 million limit for any one claim.
• Motor Cover: Minimum limit of €1.3 million for third-party property damage.
• Crime Insurance: €100,000 for any one claim.
• Cyber Liability: €1 million for any one claim.
• Certifications: Registration as a Food Business Operator is mandatory.
• Past experience: Minimum of three comparable projects in the last three years.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic 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, focusing on the balance between price and quality.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method Statement: A response document following the provided template, with no specified page limit.
• CVs: For key personnel, with no specified page limit.
• Pricing Schedule: To be submitted using the named template.
• Case Studies: Minimum of three, demonstrating relevant experience and within a value range of €34,884.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest statements.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Attendance is required; details to be arranged via email.
• Submission Portal: Tenders must be submitted via the eTenders platform, adhering to specific format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term: Initial contract for one year, with the possibility of two one-year extensions.
• Payment Terms: Payments made on a 30-day arrears basis.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Not specified in detail but must comply with the School Meals Scheme.
• Termination Clauses: Either party may terminate the contract with 14 days' notice.
• IP Ownership: Not specified for this tender.
• Sub-contracting: Allowed, but a prime contractor must be designated.
• Parent-company guarantee or bond requirements: Not specified for this tender.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Funding Dependency: The contract is contingent on annual funding from the Department of Social Protection, which may not be guaranteed.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Failure to attend may result in disqualification.
• Single Provider: The contract is intended for a single service provider, which may limit competition.
• Strict Compliance Requirements: Non-compliance with food legislation and service delivery model may lead to rejection of the tender.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that meet the following criteria:

• Credible Bidders: Firms with experience in catering services, particularly in school meal provision, and the necessary insurance coverage.
• Consortium/Sub-contracting: Allowed, enabling SMEs to collaborate with larger firms or other SMEs.
• Bid Preparation Effort: Estimated at several days to compile the required documentation and attend the site visit.
• Pwin Signal: The presence of a single service provider requirement may indicate a competitive landscape, but the funding dependency could affect the attractiveness of the contract.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: CFT - Cold Lunch - St. Naul's N.S. Roll 15770K.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email: [email protected]
• Important attachments: Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specifications, Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule, Appendix 5 — Services Contract.