Planning

***Pre-Market Engagement*** Online Payments

THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

17 Apr 2026 at 16:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority, a central government body in Northern Ireland, is currently in the planning stage for the procurement of an Online Payment System. Located in Belfast, the Education Authority is inviting suppliers to engage in a pre-market consultation to provide feedback on potential approaches. This initiative falls under the services category, specifically targeting software package and information systems, IT consulting, development, and support services. Suppliers interested in this preliminary engagement must complete a questionnaire accessible via eTendersNI by the deadline at 3 pm on 8th May 2026. While this phase is not yet a formal tender process, it sets the groundwork for possible future procurement opportunities.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in IT services and software development to influence upcoming procurement processes. With an estimated contract value reaching £4,300,000 and provisions for dynamic purchasing, SMEs and VCSEs are particularly well-suited to engage in the pre-market stage, potentially leading to strategic growth over the contract period starting from January 2027. Given the breadth and scope of the engagement, there is considerable space for innovation, particularly for companies specialising in online payment solutions and associated technologies. The proactive involvement in this phase could position businesses favourably for long-term partnerships with the Education Authority as they advance in their procurement journey.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

***Pre-Market Engagement*** Online Payments

Notice Description

The Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI), in preparation for a procurement process, wish to engage with the market to seek supplier views and feedback on potential approaches for an Online Payment System. Suppliers who wish to participate in the pre market engagement exercise should complete the pre-market engagement questionnaire on eTendersNI under the CfT CA Unique ID EANI-5236. Further information including the questionnaire can be downloaded from the CfT Documents section of the project on eTendersNI. Suppliers also have the opportunity to submit queries regarding the project via the eTendersNI messaging function. The questionnaire must be completed and submitted no later than 3 pm 08th May 2026. There are no documents to be completed other than the questionnaire. Any information gathered through this market consultation exercise will inform internal business planning and any possible subsequent procurement process and will NOT be appraised in any future tender evaluation exercise. Please note that participation or nonparticipation in this preliminary market consultation exercise shall not prevent any supplier from participating in any potential procurement process, nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any supplier at an advantage or disadvantage in any forthcoming procurement process. For the avoidance of doubt, this is the scoping phase of the project and is not part of a formal procurement process.

Planning Information

The Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI), in preparation for a procurement process, wish to engage with the market to seek supplier views and feedback on potential approaches for an Online Payment System. Suppliers who wish to participate in the pre market engagement exercise should complete the pre-market engagement questionnaire on eTendersNI under the CfT CA Unique ID EANI-5236. Further information including the questionnaire can be downloaded from the CfT Documents section of the project on eTendersNI. Suppliers also have the opportunity to submit queries regarding the project via the eTendersNI messaging function. The questionnaire must be completed and submitted no later than 3 pm 08th May 2026 There are no documents to be completed other than the questionnaire. Any information gathered through this market consultation exercise will inform internal business planning and any possible subsequent procurement process and will NOT be appraised in any future tender evaluation exercise. Please note that participation or nonparticipation in this preliminary market consultation exercise shall not prevent any supplier from participating in any potential procurement process, nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any supplier at an advantage or disadvantage in any forthcoming procurement process. For the avoidance of doubt, this is the scoping phase of the project and is not part of a formal procurement process.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0685c1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035395-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

50 - Repair and maintenance services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

50324000 - Support services of personal computers

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,300,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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

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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