Notice Information
Notice Title
Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products
Notice Description
Supply and delivery of Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products to school meals kitchens within Northern Ireland. Contract period : 01 April 2026 - 31 March 2029 with options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months. The estimated value is PS16,800,000. 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) 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/028707-2026
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Planning, Tender, Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK7 - Contract Details Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Goods
- Procurement Method
- Open
- Procurement Method Details
- Open procedure
- Tender Suitability
- SME, VCSE
- Awardee Scale
- Large
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
15331000 - Processed 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
- £16,800,000 £10M-£100M
- Contracts Value
- £16,800,000 £10M-£100M
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 27 Mar 20264 weeks ago
- Submission Deadline
- 22 Dec 2025Expired
- Future Notice Date
- 25 Jul 2025Expired
- Award Date
- 23 Feb 20262 months ago
- Contract Period
- 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
- Recurrence
- 2031-11-21
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Complete
- Awards Status
- Active
- Contracts Status
- Active
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY NI
- Additional Buyers
- Contact Name
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
- Contact Email
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
- Contact Phone
- Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
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
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028707-2026
27th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016258-2026
23rd February 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076894-2025
25th November 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076165-2025
21st November 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037689-2025
7th July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Notice URLs
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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.
{
"tag": [
"compiled"
],
"id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0559b9-2026-03-27T16:06:35Z",
"date": "2026-03-27T16:06:35Z",
"ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0559b9",
"initiationType": "tender",
"parties": [
{
"id": "GB-PPON-PPHJ-6982-JPXY",
"name": "The Education Authority NI",
"identifier": {
"scheme": "GB-PPON",
"id": "PPHJ-6982-JPXY"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "40 Academy Street",
"locality": "Belfast",
"postalCode": "BT1 2NQ",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom",
"region": "UKN06"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "catering.procure@eani.org.uk",
"name": "catering.procure@eani.org.uk"
},
"roles": [
"buyer"
],
"details": {
"classifications": [
{
"id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
"scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
"description": "Public authority - central government"
},
{
"id": "GB-NIR",
"scheme": "UK_CA_DEVOLVED_REGULATIONS",
"description": "Northern Irish devolved regulations apply"
}
]
}
},
{
"id": "GB-PPON-PBDM-5995-JJRJ",
"name": "Sillis Green Veg Limited",
"identifier": {
"scheme": "GB-PPON",
"id": "PBDM-5995-JJRJ"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Sillis",
"locality": "Glaslough",
"postalCode": "H18DT80",
"country": "IE",
"countryName": "Ireland",
"region": "IE"
},
"roles": [
"tenderer"
],
"details": {
"url": "http://www.sillisprepveg.ie",
"scale": "sme",
"vcse": false
}
},
{
"id": "GB-COH-BR016994",
"name": "SYSCO FOODS IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY",
"identifier": {
"scheme": "GB-COH",
"id": "BR016994"
},
"additionalIdentifiers": [
{
"scheme": "GB-PPON",
"id": "PQWX-2758-JTXJ"
}
],
"address": {
"streetAddress": "77 Nutts Corner Road",
"locality": "Crumlin",
"postalCode": "BT29 4SJ",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom",
"region": "UKN0D"
},
"roles": [
"tenderer"
],
"details": {
"url": "http://www.syscoireland.com",
"scale": "large",
"vcse": false
}
},
{
"id": "GB-COH-NI006894",
"name": "Henderson Foodservice Ltd",
"identifier": {
"scheme": "GB-COH",
"id": "NI006894"
},
"additionalIdentifiers": [
{
"scheme": "GB-PPON",
"id": "PTDD-2623-PPYP"
}
],
"address": {
"streetAddress": "1 Hightown Avenue",
"locality": "Newtownabbey",
"postalCode": "BT36 4RT",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom",
"region": "UKN0D"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "HFLContracts@henderson-group.com"
},
"roles": [
"supplier"
],
"details": {
"url": "https://www.henderson-foodservice.com/",
"scale": "large",
"vcse": false,
"publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
"shelteredWorkshop": false
}
}
],
"buyer": {
"id": "GB-PPON-PPHJ-6982-JPXY",
"name": "The Education Authority NI"
},
"planning": {
"milestones": [
{
"id": "engagement",
"type": "engagement",
"description": "PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE (PME) for Fresh Fruit and Vegetables for the Education Authority. Interested suppliers are asked to complete and return the questionniare.",
"dueDate": "2025-07-25T23:59:59+01:00",
"status": "scheduled"
}
],
"documents": [
{
"id": "037689-2025",
"documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
"noticeType": "UK2",
"description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037689-2025",
"datePublished": "2025-07-07T11:21:57+01:00",
"format": "text/html"
}
]
},
"tender": {
"id": "CAT-25-004",
"legalBasis": {
"id": "2023/54",
"scheme": "UKPGA",
"uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
},
"title": "Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products",
"description": "Supply and delivery of Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products to school meals kitchens within Northern Ireland. Contract period : 01 April 2026 - 31 March 2029 with options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months. The estimated value is PS16,800,000. 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) 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",
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"additionalClassifications": [
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15300000",
"description": "Fruit, vegetables and related products"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15000000",
"description": "Food, beverages, tobacco and related products"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15310000",
"description": "Potatoes and potato products"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15330000",
"description": "Processed fruit and vegetables"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15312000",
"description": "Potato products"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15313000",
"description": "Processed potatoes"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15331110",
"description": "Processed root vegetables"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15331130",
"description": "Beans, peas, peppers, tomatoes and other vegetables"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15331100",
"description": "Fresh or frozen vegetables"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15331120",
"description": "Processed tuber vegetables"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1",
"deliveryAddresses": [
{
"region": "UKN",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
},
{
"region": "UKN",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
}
]
}
],
"mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
"aboveThreshold": true,
"lots": [
{
"id": "1",
"suitability": {
"sme": true,
"vcse": true
},
"contractPeriod": {
"startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
"endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
"maxExtentDate": "2032-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
},
"hasRenewal": true,
"status": "complete",
"value": {
"amountGross": 16800000,
"amount": 16800000,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"awardCriteria": {
"criteria": [
{
"type": "quality",
"name": "AC1 - Proposed Methodology",
"description": "Full details can be found in the CfTdocuments section on eTenderNI https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps",
"numbers": [
{
"number": 50,
"weight": "percentageExact"
}
]
},
{
"type": "quality",
"name": "AC2- Quality",
"description": "Full details can be found in the CfTdocuments section on eTenderNI https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps",
"numbers": [
{
"number": 20,
"weight": "percentageExact"
}
]
},
{
"type": "price",
"name": "AC3 Price",
"description": "Full details can be found in the CfTdocuments section on eTenderNI https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps",
"numbers": [
{
"number": 30,
"weight": "percentageExact"
}
]
},
{
"type": "quality",
"name": "AC1 - Proposed Methodology",
"description": "Full details can be found in the CfTdocuments section on eTenderNI https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps",
"numbers": [
{
"number": 50,
"weight": "percentageExact"
}
]
},
{
"type": "quality",
"name": "AC2- Quality",
"description": "Full details can be found in the CfTdocuments section on eTenderNI https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps",
"numbers": [
{
"number": 20,
"weight": "percentageExact"
}
]
},
{
"type": "price",
"name": "AC3 Price",
"description": "Full details can be found in the CfTdocuments section on eTenderNI https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps",
"numbers": [
{
"number": 30,
"weight": "percentageExact"
}
]
}
]
},
"selectionCriteria": {
"criteria": [
{
"type": "technical",
"description": "CoP 1 Technical ability to perform the contract - Previous Experience"
},
{
"type": "technical",
"description": "CoP 1 Technical ability to perform the contract - Previous Experience,CoP 2 Accreditation, CoP 3 Food Premises Inspection Report and CoP 4 Recall and Withdrawal Procedure"
}
]
},
"renewal": {
"description": "Options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months"
},
"hasOptions": true,
"options": {
"description": "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."
}
}
],
"status": "complete",
"value": {
"amountGross": 16800000,
"amount": 16800000,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"procurementMethod": "open",
"procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
"submissionMethodDetails": "Full details can be found in the CfTdocuments section on eTenderNI https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps",
"submissionTerms": {
"electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
"languages": [
"en"
]
},
"tenderPeriod": {
"endDate": "2025-12-22T23:59:59+00:00"
},
"enquiryPeriod": {
"endDate": "2025-12-15T15:00:00+00:00"
},
"awardPeriod": {
"endDate": "2026-02-19T23:59:59+00:00"
},
"lotDetails": {
"noLotsDivisionRationale": "The tender was structured into sections rather than lots to reduce duplication and streamline evaluation."
},
"documents": [
{
"id": "conflictOfInterest",
"documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
"description": "Not published"
},
{
"id": "076165-2025",
"documentType": "tenderNotice",
"noticeType": "UK4",
"description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076165-2025",
"datePublished": "2025-11-21T16:10:09Z",
"format": "text/html"
},
{
"id": "076894-2025",
"documentType": "tenderNotice",
"noticeType": "UK4",
"description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076894-2025",
"datePublished": "2025-11-25T14:14:47Z",
"format": "text/html"
}
],
"hasRecurrence": true,
"recurrence": {
"dates": [
{
"startDate": "2031-11-21T23:59:59+00:00"
},
{
"startDate": "2031-11-21T23:59:59+00:00"
}
]
},
"contractTerms": {
"financialTerms": "Full details can be found in the CfT documents section on eTenderN - Ihttps://etendersni.gov.uk/epps"
},
"riskDetails": "The Buyer cannot guarantee any particular level of business (volumes/values) within the Contract.",
"amendments": [
{
"id": "076894-2025",
"description": "Technical ability conditions of participation [FRM03.N80] has been updated to include all Conditions of Participation on one line as it wasn't visible in the PDF version of the notice"
}
]
},
"language": "en",
"bids": {
"details": [
{
"id": "1",
"status": "valid",
"tenderers": [
{
"id": "GB-COH-NI006894",
"name": "HENDERSON FOODSERVICE LIMITED"
}
],
"relatedLots": [
"1"
]
},
{
"id": "2",
"status": "valid",
"tenderers": [
{
"id": "GB-PPON-PBDM-5995-JJRJ",
"name": "Sillis Green Veg Limited"
}
],
"relatedLots": [
"1"
]
},
{
"id": "3",
"status": "valid",
"tenderers": [
{
"id": "GB-COH-BR016994",
"name": "SYSCO FOODS IRELAND UNLIMITED COMPANY"
}
],
"relatedLots": [
"1"
]
}
],
"statistics": [
{
"id": "1",
"measure": "bids",
"value": 4,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "2",
"measure": "finalStageBids",
"value": 3,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "3",
"measure": "smeFinalStageBids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "4",
"measure": "vcseFinalStageBids",
"value": 0,
"relatedLot": "1"
}
]
},
"awards": [
{
"id": "1",
"title": "Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products",
"status": "active",
"date": "2026-02-23T00:00:00Z",
"value": {
"amountGross": 16800000,
"amount": 16800000,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
"aboveThreshold": true,
"suppliers": [
{
"id": "GB-COH-NI006894",
"name": "Henderson Foodservice Ltd"
}
],
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"additionalClassifications": [
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15300000",
"description": "Fruit, vegetables and related products"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15310000",
"description": "Potatoes and potato products"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15330000",
"description": "Processed fruit and vegetables"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15312000",
"description": "Potato products"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15331000",
"description": "Processed vegetables"
},
{
"scheme": "CPV",
"id": "15331110",
"description": "Processed root vegetables"
}
],
"deliveryAddresses": [
{
"region": "UKN",
"country": "GB",
"countryName": "United Kingdom"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1"
}
],
"standstillPeriod": {
"endDate": "2026-03-04T23:59:59+00:00"
},
"contractPeriod": {
"startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
"endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
"maxExtentDate": "2032-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
},
"hasRenewal": true,
"renewal": {
"description": "options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months"
},
"hasOptions": true,
"options": {
"description": "The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. 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 Fruit and Vegetables options that may be required throughout the duration of the Contract."
},
"relatedLots": [
"1"
],
"documents": [
{
"id": "016258-2026",
"documentType": "awardNotice",
"noticeType": "UK6",
"description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016258-2026",
"datePublished": "2026-02-23T17:24:38Z",
"format": "text/html"
}
],
"assessmentSummariesDateSent": "2026-02-23T00:00:00Z",
"milestones": [
{
"id": "1",
"type": "futureSignatureDate",
"dueDate": "2026-03-06T23:59:59Z",
"status": "scheduled"
}
]
}
],
"contracts": [
{
"id": "1",
"awardID": "1",
"title": "Fresh Fruit, Vegetables and Related Products",
"status": "active",
"period": {
"startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
"endDate": "2029-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
"maxExtentDate": "2032-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
},
"hasRenewal": true,
"renewal": {
"description": "Options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 36 months."
},
"hasOptions": true,
"options": {
"description": "The right to additional purchases which fall under the scope of the contract, while the contract is valid. The EA Catering Service will continuously review the product range and specifications of items on this Contract. The Supplier will be required to work with the EA Catering Service in sourcing any new products that may be required."
},
"value": {
"amountGross": 16800000,
"amount": 16800000,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"aboveThreshold": true,
"dateSigned": "2026-03-06T00:00:00+00:00",
"agreedMetrics": [
{
"id": "1",
"title": "KPI 1 - Quality",
"description": "The number of complaints due to unsatisfactory quality of products supplied.",
"observations": [
{
"id": "frequency",
"period": {
"durationInMonths": 3
}
}
]
},
{
"id": "2",
"title": "KPI 2 - Availability",
"description": "To ensure availability of contracted items",
"observations": [
{
"id": "frequency",
"period": {
"durationInMonths": 1
}
}
]
},
{
"id": "3",
"title": "KPI 3 - Delivery",
"description": "Deliveries made on time, in full within the working hours of the kitchen. Under no circumstances should goods be left at the premises unattended.",
"observations": [
{
"id": "frequency",
"period": {
"durationInMonths": 12
}
}
]
},
{
"id": "4",
"title": "KPI 4 - Social Value",
"description": "Delivery of social value obligations on track as per social value delivery plan",
"observations": [
{
"id": "frequency",
"period": {
"durationInMonths": 12
}
}
]
}
],
"documents": [
{
"id": "028707-2026",
"documentType": "contractNotice",
"noticeType": "UK7",
"description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
"url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028707-2026",
"datePublished": "2026-03-27T16:06:35Z",
"format": "text/html"
}
]
}
]
}