Tendering services, contractor performance reviews and supporting in-house catering

As CEO for Herts for Learning Multi Academy Trust, and leading the provision of catering across the Trust, we had a decision about whether to use a procurement framework or consultant. Having met several of each, we chose Matriculate on the basis of positive first hand reviews from other clients and the clarity of their pitch. We were impressed by the personal touch and care with which they responded to our questions.

We have now begun the contract and the investment that Lucy and Robert made in preparing bidders and our team has really paid off. They took care of the formal parts and ensured we had a tender that clearly reflected our priorities. After meeting the short-listed bidders we chose our preferred partner. The ‘proof of the pudding’ is the service that the Trust will get from the contractor, they have made a very promising start.

Lucy and Robert are available and ready to answer questions. There was an attention to detail and they are knowledgeable about their field. None of our (many) questions were treated as trivial and they led us effectively through the whole process, no less important has been the humour and warmth with which they worked.

The Mead Educational Trust (TMET) is made up of five primaries and two secondaries and last year we faced the challenge of changing our catering provision across all schools in the Trust.

We enlisted the services of Lucy and Robert at Matriculate (Catering Consultants) to manage the tender process. Matriculate provided focused and highly organised tender project management and were approachable and professional.

They took the time to visit each site and familiarise themselves with the individual needs of the schools. They provided a very ‘hands on’ service and attended all visits by bidders, utilising their considerable skills and experience to question and clarify.

They were firm and frequently challenged bidding caterers on a number of issues – driving a hard bargain on behalf of Trust schools and ensuring we received the best possible outcome.

They kept us updated regularly and were always on hand to answer any queries. They were brilliant at cutting through the ‘jargon’ and ensuring we understood not only the process but also what was being proposed by bidders.

I found their support invaluable and will be buying into their support service going forward.

As CEO for Herts for Learning Multi Academy Trust, and leading the provision of catering across the Trust, we had a decision about whether to use a procurement framework or consultant. Having met several of each, we chose Matriculate on the basis of positive first hand reviews from other clients and the clarity of their pitch. We were impressed by the personal touch and care with which they responded to our questions.

We have now begun the contract and the investment that Lucy and Robert made in preparing bidders and our team has really paid off. They took care of the formal parts and ensured we had a tender that clearly reflected our priorities. After meeting the short-listed bidders we chose our preferred partner. The ‘proof of the pudding’ is the service that the Trust will get from the contractor, they have made a very promising start.

Lucy and Robert are available and ready to answer questions. There was an attention to detail and they are knowledgeable about their field. None of our (many) questions were treated as trivial and they led us effectively through the whole process, no less important has been the humour and warmth with which they worked.