Award

Supply And Delivery of Pre Prepared Meals to the Education Authority

THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY NI

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

17 Nov 2025 at 09:38

Award

27 Oct 2025 at 16:34

Tender

08 Aug 2025 at 16:14

Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority NI has completed a procurement process to supply and deliver pre-prepared meals to various educational establishments across Northern Ireland. The contract, titled "Supply And Delivery of Pre Prepared Meals to the Education Authority," falls under the industry category of goods and will serve school meals kitchens. Located in Belfast, the Education Authority will implement this open procedure, starting the contract on 1st December 2025, and continuing through 30th November 2030, with an option to extend by two additional 12-month periods. The key milestone of this process was the award date, 17th November 2025, with a total contract value of £335,000 excluding VAT. This process was governed by the legal framework of UK Public Contracts Regulations.

This contract presents substantial opportunities for businesses involved in food supply and delivery services, particularly those specialising in prepared and bulk meals. Companies like Henderson Foodservice Limited, the contract's primary supplier, are well-placed to reap benefits due to their capability to manage large-scale food logistics. The open procurement method employed increases accessibility for various suppliers to engage, emphasising a fair competition landscape. Businesses with experience in supplying educational institutions or having an interest in expanding their market to Northern Ireland will find this contract aligns with opportunities for service provision expansion, thanks to its long-term nature and potential for additional purchases during its active period.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply And Delivery of Pre Prepared Meals to the Education Authority

Notice Description

Supply and delivery of Pre-Prepared Meals (Individual and Bulk) to school meals kitchens within Northern Ireland Contract period: 01 December 2025 - 30 November 2030 with the option to extend for a further two 12-month extension periods Total awarded value PS335,000 excluding VAT 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/furthereducationfecolleges 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)

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: 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 individual or bulk pre-prepared meals options that may be required throughout the duration of the Contract. Any items added to the Contract during the Term must be in line with the Pricing submitted with similar items at tender.

Renewal: Two 12 month optional extensions

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05849c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074243-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
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

15894200 - Prepared meals

15894210 - School meals

15894300 - Prepared dishes

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£335,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£335,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£335,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£335,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Nov 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
8 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Oct 20251 months ago
Contract Period
1 Dec 2025 - 30 Nov 2030 Over 5 years
Recurrence
2032-03-01

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

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HENDERSON FOODSERVICE

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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