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DFC - Disability and Work Branch - Wholesale Supplies for the Ability Cafes

Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

07 Jan 2026 at 13:45

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

18 Dec 2025 at 14:45

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

17 Oct 2025 at 14:09

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The most recent procurement process concerns the award contract for wholesale supplies to Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL), an arms-length body of The Department of Communities. The tender, titled "DFC - Disability and Work Branch - Wholesale Supplies for the Ability Cafes," focuses on the food and beverages industry, specifically providing ambient, fresh, and chilled products for Ability Cafes located in Belfast and the Greater Belfast area. This process, conducted under an open procedure, was in the award stage as of 7th January 2026, with the contract completion scheduled for 7th January 2029. USEL, based in Belfast, operates as a social enterprise dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in securing employment, and was the buying organization in this successful procurement process. The contract was awarded to HENDERSON FOODSERVICE LIMITED with a gross value of £400,800.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses in the food and beverage sector, especially those with capabilities in supplying diverse food products across multiple locations. The contract's focus on both ambient and chilled supplies makes it well-suited for suppliers with strong logistics and distribution capabilities. Businesses with experience in managing supply chains involving fresh produce and prepared food items will likely thrive, given the open procurement method allowing for a competitive bidding environment. The ongoing opportunity to adjust contractual terms concerning product types and delivery locations adds flexibility for innovative suppliers to meet evolving operational needs, thereby fostering potential for business growth within the Northern Ireland market.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

DFC - Disability and Work Branch - Wholesale Supplies for the Ability Cafes

Notice Description

Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL) is an arms-length body of The Department of Communities. USEL provide a wide range of services to people with disabilities or health conditions. USEL exists solely to help people with disabilities and health related conditions move into and sustain employment. Every year we employ, support and train over 1200 people across Northern Ireland. USEL offers a range of learning programs to help people get into employment and offer support to employers for our clients. USEL operates as a social enterprise model, combining a strong social mission with business operations. The Employment Services division is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions in securing meaningful employment opportunities. The Ability Cafes, established in 2018, are driven by a powerful mission: to empower local adults with disabilities through accredited onsite training in health and safety, food preparation, kitchen hygiene, and customer service. These cafes serve as a dynamic platform for individuals to gain hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, equipping them with the skills and confidence to excel in their careers. USEL requires a Supplier for the supply and delivery of ambient, fresh and chilled products for the Ability Cafes with locations across the Belfast and Greater Belfast Area.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: CPD and the Buyer reserve the right to add or remove products / locations during the period of the contract to meet their operational needs.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001080-2026
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
Not specified
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

15100000 - Animal products, meat and meat products

15200000 - Prepared and preserved fish

15300000 - Fruit, vegetables and related products

15400000 - Animal or vegetable oils and fats

15500000 - Dairy products

15600000 - Grain mill products, starches and starch products

15800000 - Miscellaneous food products

15900000 - Beverages, tobacco and related products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£334,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£334,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£334,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£334,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jan 20267 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Dec 20258 months ago
Contract Period
8 Jan 2026 - 7 Jan 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL)
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
BT13 3JH
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Woodvale
Westminster Constituency
Belfast West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

HENDERSON FOODSERVICE LIMITED

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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