Tender

Sandwiches and Associated Products

THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

18 May 2026 at 13:12

Tender

20 Apr 2026 at 13:59

Planning

04 Feb 2026 at 15:39

Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority of Northern Ireland is currently conducting a tender process for the supply and delivery of sandwiches and associated products. This procurement is under the active stage with the main industry category being goods. The tender is open until 19 May 2026, with a projected contract start date from July 2026, lasting for an initial period of two years and potential extensions up to 2032. The process follows an open procurement method, ensuring transparency and equal opportunity for eligible suppliers. This procurement aligns with UK procurement regulations, including Northern Ireland's devolved regulations. The contract, valued at £8.4 million, encompasses educational establishments throughout Northern Ireland.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses involved in food supply, particularly those specialising in the production and distribution of sandwiches and prepared snacks. Companies with robust logistics capabilities and excellent quality standards, including SMEs and VCSEs, are encouraged to participate. The contract not only promises financial returns through the delivery of staple food items to a broad range of educational bodies but also enhances business reputation by partnering with a significant public-sector buyer. Businesses aiming to expand their market presence in the public sector and capable of meeting stringent quality and safety standards will find this opportunity particularly appealing.

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Notice Title

Sandwiches and Associated Products

Notice Description

The Education Authority invites tenders for the Supply and Delivery of Sandwiches and Associated Products. The initial period will be for 2 years from the Start Date (anticipated to be July 2026) with options to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 48 months. The Buyer's intention is to award the contract to a single Supplier for the period of the contract. 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/schools-plus 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), school meals kitchens on-site at all of these schools, and Controlled Youth Centres. FE Colleges: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges Further Education Colleges in NI 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's Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) Preliminary market engagement notice was Published on 04 February 2026, 3:39pm Engagement deadline: 16 February 2026 Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-010107 Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-064740

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 Sandwiches, hospitality items and Associated Product options that may be required throughout the duration of the Contract.

Renewal: Option to extend for any additional period(s) of up to and including 48 months

Planning Information

PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE (PME) for the Supply and Delivery of Sandwiches and Associated Products with Hospitality products for locations throughout Northern Ireland. Interested suppliers are asked to complete and return the questionnaire.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-064740
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045374-2026
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

15811510 - Sandwiches

15811511 - Prepared sandwiches

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,400,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£8,400,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 May 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
19 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
16 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2032-04-01

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY
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
Not specified

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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