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***PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT*** BSP-26-004 Cash Handling Service for EA Catering Service

EDUCATION AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 Jul 2026 at 10:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland is engaging in a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise to explore possibilities for a cash handling service for their catering operations. This process, currently in the planning stage, is designed to understand market capabilities and is not a formal tender. Key information, including a questionnaire, can be accessed on the eTendersNI platform, with submissions due by 31st July 2026. The engagement addresses financial, banking, security, and collection agency services within the UKN region, with an anticipated contract period starting from 1st November 2026 to 31st October 2029.

This PME presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in cash handling, security, banking, and related financial services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, charitable, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, aligning with the procurement's suitability criteria. By engaging with this process, businesses can help the Education Authority shape future tender requirements, potentially positioning themselves favourably for subsequent procurement opportunities. This engagement is proactive and informative, aiming to align the Authority's needs with innovative market solutions.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

***PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT*** BSP-26-004 Cash Handling Service for EA Catering Service

Notice Description

***This is not a tender exercise*** The Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI) would like to invite participation in a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise to seek the views of the market for Cash Handling for EA Catering Service. The purpose of this PME exercise is for EANI to gain an understanding of the latest developments and innovative solutions available and will be used to assist EANI in gaining a better understanding of the feasibility of the requirements, the most appropriate procurement and operational approach, the capacity of the market to deliver the requirements and an opportunity for the market to highlight any possible risks or issues. For the avoidance of doubt, this is the scoping phase of the project and is not part of any formal procurement process and there is no commitment at this stage to carry out such a process. Any information gathered will not be considered in any future tender exercise. Please note that participation or non-participation in this PME exercise shall not prevent any supplier from participating in any future procurement process, nor is it intended that any information provided shall place any supplier at an advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement exercise. Further information including the questionnaire can be downloaded from the documents section of the CfT on eTendersNI. Suppliers who wish to participate in the PME exercise must return the completed questionnaire via the messaging function of the CfT on eTendersNI no later than 15:00 on Friday 31 July 2026.

Planning Information

Further information including the questionnaire can be downloaded from the documents section of the CfT on eTendersNI. Interested suppliers are asked to complete and return the questionnaire.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06cbc8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066686-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

66 - Financial and insurance services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

66000000 - Financial and insurance services

66110000 - Banking services

79710000 - Security services

79940000 - Collection agency services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,100,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Jul 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Aug 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 31 Oct 2029 3-4 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
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
TLN Northern Ireland
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

JSON Markdown

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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