Planning

***Pre-Market Engagement*** BSP-24-017 Review of EA Catering Service Delivery Model

THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Apr 2025 at 12:00

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority is conducting a preliminary market engagement exercise titled "***Pre-Market Engagement*** BSP-24-017 Review of EA Catering Service Delivery Model" in the services category. This exercise aims to explore alternative catering models for their Northern Ireland schools, which currently produce 155,000 to 160,000 meals daily. The focus is on nursery, primary, and special schools, excluding post-primary schools. The engagement is in the planning stage, with input due by 12 May 2025. This is not a formal procurement but an information-gathering phase to inform future procurement planning. The outcome will influence the Education Authority's business planning and potential procurement processes.

This tender poses significant opportunities for businesses specialising in business services, management consultancy, and related services, as classified under CPV codes such as 79000000 and 79400000. Companies with expertise in catering and logistics, particularly those experienced in large-scale food production and delivery, may find this engagement beneficial. It offers a chance to shape future contractual frameworks with the Education Authority, providing valuable insights into potential service delivery models and building lasting relationships that may lead to future procurement opportunities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

***Pre-Market Engagement*** BSP-24-017 Review of EA Catering Service Delivery Model

Notice Description

***This is a Pre-Market Engagement Exercise*** The purpose of the preliminary market engagement exercise is to inform suppliers in the current market and gain information to inform a potential future procurement. At this stage, any information gathered through this Exercise will inform internal business planning and any possible subsequent procurement process and will NOT be appraised in any future tender evaluation exercise. For the avoidance of doubt, this is the scoping phase and is not part of a formal procurement process. The EA's Catering Service in Northern Ireland is responsible for producing approximately 155,000 - 160,000 meals per day to children within nursery, primary, special, and post-primary schools. The cost of production versus the school meal charge is one of a number of challenges the service is experiencing within the current delivery model. The EA Catering service wishes to look at possible other models which will address the risks and issues currently being experienced. This exercise will not include Post Primary Schools (133 locations). The EA is seeking to establish the costs of alternative catering model which will produce meals, package, deliver and serve in the school sectors detailed.

Planning Information

***This is a Pre-Market Engagement Exercise*** The purpose of the preliminary market engagement exercise is to inform suppliers in the current market and gain information to inform a potential future procurement. At this stage, any information gathered through this Exercise will inform internal business planning and any possible subsequent procurement process and will NOT be appraised in any future tender evaluation exercise. For the avoidance of doubt, this is the scoping phase and is not part of a formal procurement process. The EA’s Catering Service in Northern Ireland is responsible for producing approximately 155,000 - 160,000 meals per day to children within nursery, primary, special, and post-primary schools. The cost of production versus the school meal charge is one of a number of challenges the service is experiencing within the current delivery model. The EA Catering service wishes to look at possible other models which will address the risks and issues currently being experienced. This exercise will not include Post Primary Schools (133 locations). The EA is seeking to establish the costs of alternative catering model which will produce meals, package, deliver and serve in the school sectors detailed.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050400
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015542-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79411000 - General management consultancy services

79420000 - Management-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Apr 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Aug 2025 - 29 Jun 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
business.procure@eani.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT1 2NQ
Post Town
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Duncairn
Westminster Constituency
Belfast North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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