Catering Contract IOM Airport

Summary

The requester asked for the current Caterleisure catering contract, its expiry date, and future tender documents for the Isle of Man Airport. The Department of Infrastructure withheld the contract and expiry date citing commercial interests but confirmed that future tender documents do not yet exist.

Key Facts

• The current catering contract is held by Caterleisure.
• The contract and its expiry date were withheld under FOIA Section 30(2)(b).
• The Department does not hold tender documents or evaluation criteria for the next contract as they have not been created.
• Future tenders will be published via the Government portal at intendhost.co.uk/iomg.
• The public interest test determined that protecting commercial interests outweighed transparency.

Data Disclosed

• 4371991
• 2025-01-15
• 2025-02-18
• 10 February 2025
• Section 30 (2)(b)
• https://intendhost.co.uk/iomg/aspx/Home
• https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review
• www.inforights.im
• www.gov.im/foi

Exemptions Cited

• FOIA Section 30 (2)(b) - Commercial interests

Original Request

I would just like to enquire about the current catering contract held by caterleisure, and when does it expire? And what is the process for bidding on future catering contracts? Clarification received 15/01/2025: Here's more details: - A copy of the current catering contract between the Isle of Man Airport and Caterleisure - The expiry date of the current airport catering contract. - A copy of the tender documents or request for proposals (RFP) for the next airport catering contract. - The criteria used to evaluate bids for airport catering contracts - An electronic copy (PDF) of the contract - A list of the evaluation criteria in a Word document.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 4371991 10 February 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 15 January 2025, which states:

"I would just like to enquire about the current catering contract held by caterleisure, and when does it expire? And what is the process for bidding on future catering contracts?

Clarification received 15/01/2025: Here's more details: - A copy of the current catering contract between the Isle of Man Airport and Caterleisure - The expiry date of the current airport catering contract. - A copy of the tender documents or request for proposals (RFP) for the next airport catering contract. - The criteria used to evaluate bids for airport catering contracts - An electronic copy (PDF) of the contract - A list of the evaluation criteria in a Word document."

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information.

A copy and the expiry date of the contract between the Department of Infrastructure and Caterleisure is qualified exempt information under FOIA Section 30 (2)(b), as it’s disclosure would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the Department. As section 30 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is of serious concern and benefit to the public at large.

Factors in favour of disclosure • Transparency in the spending of public funds

Factors in favour of withholding • Need to protect the commercial interests of the Public Sector to ensure value in spending of public funds
• Public interest in maintaining a competitive market for future procurement exercises
• The need to protect the commercial interests of the private sector

In taking these factors into account the Department of Infrastructure determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information.

In addition, the Department does not hold tender documents or the evaluation criteria for the next airport catering contract as they have not yet been created.

I have provided an overview of the tender process for you below:

As part of the preparation for the next phase, the contract is expected to go out for Expressions of Interest (EOI) and tender via the Government portal.

The tender process will be conducted in line with Government procurement regulations and placed on the government tender portal: https://intendhost.co.uk/iomg/aspx/Home

Detailed criteria, requirements, and expectations for bidders will be outlined comprehensively within the tender documents which will be available on the portal site once the contract goes out for tender.

Please quote the reference number 4371991 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im.

Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.