Tender

Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products

THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

25 Nov 2025 at 14:14

Tender

21 Nov 2025 at 16:10

Planning

07 Jul 2025 at 10:21

Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority has announced a tender for the supply and delivery of Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, and Related Products to school meals kitchens across Northern Ireland. This opportunity is classified under the industry category of food and agricultural products, specifically related to produce such as fruit and vegetables. The procurement is currently in the tender stage, with the open procedure allowing for broader participation. Interested businesses must submit proposals by 22nd December 2025, with the evaluation and award process concluding by 19th February 2026. The contract is set to begin on 1st April 2026, with a duration of three years, and options to extend for up to an additional 36 months. This initiative is not intended to replace any existing agreements but will be accessible to various educational bodies in Northern Ireland.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in the supply of fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, offering a substantial contract value of £16,800,000. With the procurement method being open, there is considerable potential for small and medium enterprises as well as voluntary, community, and social enterprises to participate and compete. Companies with robust supply chains and a proven ability to meet food safety and quality standards, including possessing technical accreditations and sound recall procedures, would be well-suited for this tender. The contract encompasses a wide range of educational institutions, offering a platform for business growth and the establishment of long-term supply relationships within the public sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products

Notice Description

The Education Authority invites tenders for the supply and delivery of Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products to school meals kitchens within Northern Ireland for a period of 3 years with options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months. This Contract is established by the Education Authority and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows, who at some point, during the life of the Contract may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access at any point, with the permission of EA. This Contract is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or nonparticipating institutions may already have in place. Department of Education - Schools Plus https://www.educationni.gov.uk/services/schoolsplus Primary and Post Primary schools under the control of the EA, Catholic Maintained Schools Independent Schools in NI, Irish Medium Schools in NI, both Controlled and Voluntary Grammar Schools, Nursery School for NI (both controlled, and Catholic Maintained), Schoolmeals kitchens on-site at all of these schools, and Controlled Youth Centres. Further Education Colleges in NI : https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-educationfecolleges NICIE - https://nicie.org/ Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI Independent Schools in NI https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/northern-ireland/ EA Teachers' and Educational Centres Council for the Curriculum, Examination and Assessment NI (CCEA) Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Middletown Centre for Autism Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC) Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) Pre-Schools and Nurseries included within the EA Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) Preliminary market engagement notice Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0559b9 was published on. 7 July 2025 N.B. Estimated values stated, both including and excluding VAT are the same as VAT is not applicable to the goods included under this procurement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Additional items may be added to the Contract throughout the Term with the agreement of both the Buyer and the Supplier. This may include any Unprepared or Pre Prepared Fruit and Vegetables options that may be required throughout the duration of the Contract.

Renewal: Options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months

Planning Information

PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE (PME) for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for the Education Authority. Interested suppliers are asked to complete and return the questionniare.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0559b9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076894-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products


CPV Codes

15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

15300000 - Fruit, vegetables and related products

15310000 - Potatoes and potato products

15312000 - Potato products

15313000 - Processed potatoes

15330000 - Processed fruit and vegetables

15331100 - Fresh or frozen vegetables

15331110 - Processed root vegetables

15331120 - Processed tuber vegetables

15331130 - Beans, peas, peppers, tomatoes and other vegetables

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£16,800,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£16,800,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Nov 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
22 Dec 20253 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
25 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2031-11-21

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY
Contact Name
catering.procure@eani.org.uk
Contact Email
catering.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
TLN Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Duncairn
Westminster Constituency
Belfast North

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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