This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

16 Jun 2026 at 10:56

Award

26 Sep 2025 at 10:09

Award

16 Aug 2022 at 15:37

Tender

27 Apr 2022 at 14:00

Planning

28 Jan 2022 at 11:25

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "CAT-21-008 Milk and Milk Products" is managed by the Education Authority in Northern Ireland. The project falls under the industry category of goods, specifically fresh cow's milk and related milk products, and is classified under CPV code 03333000. The contract involves the supply to school meals kitchens, schools, and other locations across Northern Ireland. The procurement method for this tender initially involved an open procedure, which later progressed into an award update as of 16th June 2026, with active contracts including adjustments to the framework awarded to suppliers like Dale Farm Limited and The Grove Dairy. The recent modification ensures the delivery of milk to specific lots, including Armagh Area and several Ballymena and Omagh Areas, to continue uninterrupted service due to unforeseen supplier withdrawal. The original contract commenced on 3rd August 2022, with an end set for 30th June 2026.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies in the dairy production and supply chain sector. It provides a chance to secure long-term supply agreements for a value estimated at 11,476,000 GBP for multiple lots, with contracts ranging up to 1410 days. The modification of the framework allows suppliers to secure additional lots without increasing the original framework value, benefiting large-scale suppliers like Dale Farm Limited. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also engage as the process allows participation without a prior call for competition, making it accessible for well-prepared suppliers to expand their business reach within the educational and public service sectors in Northern Ireland. This tender will be particularly suitable for businesses capable of reliably managing supply and delivery logistics across multiple geographic locations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

CAT-21-008 Milk and Milk Products

Notice Description

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026

Lot Information

Lot 1- Armagh Area 1

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland

Lot 2- Armagh Area 2

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 3- Ballymena Area 1

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 4- Ballymena Area 2

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 5- Ballymena Area 3

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 6- Ballymena Area 4

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 7- Ballymena Area 5

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 8- Ballymena Area 6

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 9- Ballymena Area 7

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 10 - Belfast Area

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 11- Dundonald Area

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 12- Omagh Area 1

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 13- Omagh Area 2

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 14- Omagh Area 3

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 15- Omagh Area 4

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Lot 16- Omagh Area 5

Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026.

Procurement Information

This is not an award without prior notice, the purpose of this VEAT notice is to make the market aware that EA intend to modify this contract as detailed below. The purpose of this VEAT notice is to inform the market that the Education Authority (EA) intends to add the following lots to the existing award held by Dale Farm Ltd, in accordance with the pricing, terms, and conditions set out in the current framework agreement. Lot 2 - Armagh Area 3 Lot 6 - Ballymena Area 4 Lot 7 - Ballymena Area 5 Lot 8 - Ballymena Area 6 Lot 12 - Omagh Area 1 The original award for the lots listed above was made to Lacpatrick Dairies under the existing framework agreement. However, Lacpatrick Dairies has formally notified the Education Authority of their intention to withdraw from all of the specified lots, effective 1 November 2025. This decision follows confirmation that Grove Dairy, the third supplier awarded under the framework, is not currently delivering milk in the relevant areas and has advised that it would not be operationally viable for them to take on the additional schools. As such, Dale Farm Ltd is the only supplier capable of fulfilling the requirements within the necessary timeframe. The additional lots are required to ensure uninterrupted milk provision to schools commencing 1 November 2025. The modification is being made under the principles of urgency and operational necessity and is consistent with the scope and structure of the original framework. The modification is necessary to maintain uninterrupted delivery of milk to schools from1 November 2025 onward and is justified under Regulation 72(1)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, which allows for contract changes due to unforeseen circumstances without altering the overall nature of the contract. The awarded contractor's withdrawal from the framework was an unexpected development that could not have been foreseen. No aspect of the modification will alter the overall nature of the current contract as the scope of goods will remain unaltered, and any expenditure will not exceed the original awarded contract value. Regulation 72(1)(b) permits an amendment to an existing contract: for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor (i) cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement, or (ii) would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs for the contracting authority, provided that any increase in price does not exceed 50% of the value of the original contract. The EA shall observe a period of no less than 30 days, beginning with the day after the date of publication, before modifying the contract as set out in this notice.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-031073
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056507-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products


CPV Codes

03333000 - Fresh cows' milk

15510000 - Milk and cream

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£11,476,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£11,476,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£15,779,500 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jun 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
27 May 2022Expired
Future Notice Date
28 Feb 2022Expired
Award Date
3 Aug 20224 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
the Education Authority
Additional Buyers

Education Authority

Education Authority NI

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ARMAGH
Postcode
BT1 2NQ
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland, TLN0 Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Duncairn
Westminster Constituency
Belfast North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
3
Supplier Names

DALE FARM LIMITED

LACPATRICK DAIRIES NI LIMITED

The Grove Dairy

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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