Mary Immaculate College Limerick and Thurles - Catering

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 |--------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|----------|----------------|------|------------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------|------------------| Mary Immaculate College Mary Immaculate College Limerick and Thurles - Catering 55321000 €7,000,000 not stated Annex XIV Services not stated Limerick and Thurles campuses 5 years 19 June 2026 at 12:00 hrs not stated

2. Scope of Work

Mary Immaculate College (MIC) requires a contractor to provide comprehensive catering services across its Limerick and Thurles campuses. The contractor will serve approximately 5,000 students and staff, delivering a range of catering services that include:

• Everyday Catering: Daily meal provision for students and staff.
• Event and Hospitality Catering: Catering for institutional events, ceremonies, and special occasions.
• Vending Services: Management and operation of vending machines on campus.
• Ad Hoc Requirements: Catering for additional events as needed.

The contractor will be responsible for maintaining high standards of food quality, service delivery, and customer satisfaction. Specific activities include:

• Student-Centered Requirements: Catering solutions tailored to student preferences and dietary needs.
• Hospitality and Event Catering: Planning and executing catering for formal events, including graduations and other significant occasions.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing systems for student engagement and feedback to continuously improve service quality.
• Pricing Framework: Developing a transparent pricing structure for catering services, ensuring affordability and value for students.

The contract duration is set for five years, with potential extensions of up to two additional years, depending on performance and mutual agreement.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement aligns with Mary Immaculate College's strategic goal to enhance student experience and engagement through improved catering services. The college has seen a growing and diverse student population, necessitating a comprehensive catering solution that meets varied dietary needs and preferences. The decision to procure these services now is driven by the need to ensure high-quality food provision and to support the college's commitment to sustainability and inclusivity in its service offerings.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Bidders must meet the following eligibility and selection criteria to be considered for this tender:

• Turnover requirement: Minimum average annual turnover of €2 million over the last three financial years.
• Insurance:
• Employer’s Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Product Liability: €6.5 million
• Certifications: Compliance with relevant food safety and health regulations, including:
• I.S. 22000:2005 Food Safety Management incorporating HACCP
• S.I. 369:2006 European Commission (Hygiene of Foodstuff) Regulations 2006
• Past experience: Evidence of at least three comparable projects within the last five years, demonstrating capacity to deliver similar services.
• Personnel: Key personnel must have a minimum of three years' experience in catering management.
• Geographic constraints: Bidders must be able to operate within the Limerick and Thurles areas.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Bids will be evaluated based on the following criteria, with a price/quality split of 60% quality and 40% price. A minimum score of 60% is required for each qualitative criterion.

6. Submission requirements

Bidders must submit the following documentation:

• Method Statement: A completed Tender Response Document (TRD) following the provided template, with a maximum of 20 pages.
• CVs: Resumes for key personnel, limited to two pages each.
• Pricing Schedule: Completed using the specified template.
• Case Studies: Three case studies of similar projects, each valued between €500,000 and €2 million.
• Declarations: Including ESPD, Bona Fides, Tax clearance, and Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Attendance at the site visit on 28 May 2026 is encouraged; registration is required via email.
• Submission Portal: All documents must be submitted electronically via the eTenders platform, adhering to specified format rules.

7. Key dates & process

8. Contract terms that matter

Key contract terms include:

• Term and Extensions: Initial contract term of five years with the possibility of two one-year extensions.
• Payment Terms: Payments for services will be made within 15 days of invoice approval.
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Specific performance metrics will be established, including customer satisfaction scores and food quality standards.
• Liquidated Damages: Penalties may apply for failure to meet agreed service levels.
• Termination Clauses: Conditions under which the contract may be terminated by either party.
• Intellectual Property: Ownership of any materials developed during the contract will remain with the college.
• Sub-contracting: Allowed, but the prime contractor must retain overall responsibility.

9. Risks, red flags & unusuals

Potential risks and concerns include:

• Turnover Requirement: The minimum turnover threshold of €2 million may limit participation from smaller firms.
• Geographic Constraints: The requirement for bidders to operate within Limerick and Thurles may exclude capable firms from other regions.
• Mandatory Site Visit: Attendance is encouraged, which may pose logistical challenges for some bidders.
• Performance Metrics: The contract includes stringent SLAs that may be challenging for new entrants to meet without prior experience.

10. SME fit assessment

This tender is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with experience in catering services. Viable bidders should have:

• A proven track record in delivering catering services for educational institutions or similar environments.
• The capacity to manage large-scale catering operations, including event catering.
• The ability to comply with health and safety regulations and food safety standards.

Consortium bidding is permitted, allowing smaller firms to collaborate with larger entities to meet the requirements. Bid preparation may require approximately 10-15 days, depending on the complexity of the proposal. The presence of a minimum turnover requirement and established incumbents may indicate a competitive bidding environment.

11. Where to dig deeper

• Source RFT filename: MIC Catering RFT.pdf
• eTenders CFT ID: Not specified
• Contact email for clarifications: [email protected]
• Important attachments:
• Appendix 1 — Requirements and Specification
• Appendix 2 — Pricing Schedule
• Appendix 3 — Tenderer’s Statement