Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Prior Information Notice for Supply & Delivery of Sugar-Free (School Compliant) Ice Drinks & Free-on-Loan Dispensing Machines

North Ayrshire Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Jul 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North Ayrshire Council intends to procure the supply and delivery of school-compliant, sugar-free iced drinks for its secondary schools and commercial cafés across North Ayrshire. The requirement includes 11 free-on-loan two-tank iced-drink dispensing machines, with installation, servicing, maintenance, staff training and removal at the end of the contract. Drink syrups must comply with the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020: less than 0.5g of sugar per 100ml and no undesirable additives or preservatives. The supply will also cover compatible compostable paper cups, biodegradable spoons and straws, ad hoc ordering and prompt delivery to designated locations. Suppliers must be able to accept credit card payments.

This is a planned procurement and market-engagement exercise, not an invitation to tender. The council expects to use a tender procedure for a single lot covering the drinks, machines and associated services. Interested organisations are asked to complete a market-engagement questionnaire for information-gathering purposes, with responses expected by close of business on 6 August 2026. The council indicates that a subsequent procurement notice is expected on 18 August 2026. The planned arrangement covers supply and delivery as well as machine installation, servicing, maintenance, training and removal, with ordering and delivery required across North Ayrshire. No contract value or budget is stated.

This will suit drinks manufacturers, beverage distributors and vending or dispensing-machine suppliers able to provide a combined product, equipment and support service. Strong candidates will have access to sugar-free syrups that meet Scottish school nutrition rules, together with reliable distribution to schools and cafés. Relevant operational capability includes installing and maintaining two-tank machines, providing responsive servicing, training customer staff and removing equipment when the arrangement ends. Suppliers should also be able to source or supply compostable cups, biodegradable spoons and straws, handle ad hoc orders and provide prompt deliveries to multiple designated sites. A payment infrastructure that accepts credit cards is essential. Businesses should use the engagement stage to help shape the future requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Prior Information Notice for Supply & Delivery of Sugar-Free (School Compliant) Ice Drinks & Free-on-Loan Dispensing Machines

Notice Description

This PIN is to engage with the market regarding the future supply and delivery of school-compliant sugar-free iced drinks, including the provision of 11 free-on-loan two-tank iced drinks machines, to North Ayrshire Council Secondary Schools and Commercial Cafes. The contract includes machine installation, servicing, maintenance, staff training, and end-of-contract machine removal. All drink syrups must comply with the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020, containing less than 0.5g sugar per 100ml and no undesirable additives or preservatives. The contract will also provide pricing for compatible compostable paper cups, biodegradable spoons and straws, and support adhoc ordering with prompt delivery to designated locations across North Ayrshire. Acceptance of credit card payments is essential. Interested organisations are invited to complete a market engagement questionnaire. Completed questionnaires should be returned by 6th August 2026. This exercise is for information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a call for competition.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Supply and delivery of school-compliant sugar-free iced drinks, including the provision of 11 free-on-loan two-tank iced drinks machines, to North Ayrshire Council Secondary Schools and Commercial Cafes. The contract includes machine installation, servicing, maintenance, staff training, and end-of-contract machine removal. All drink syrups must comply with the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020, containing less than 0.5g sugar per 100ml and no undesirable additives or preservatives. The contract will also provide pricing for compatible compostable paper cups, biodegradable spoons and straws, and support adhoc ordering with prompt delivery to designated locations across North Ayrshire. Acceptance of credit card payments is essential.. There is a questionnaire which can be found in the attachments that suppliers should complete and return back to jadearmstrong@north-ayrshire.gov.uk by close of business on 6th August 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000838236
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560833
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

42 - Industrial machinery

CPV Codes

15320000 - Fruit and vegetable juices

15321000 - Fruit juices

15321700 - Mixtures of unconcentrated juices

15321800 - Concentrated juices

15555000 - Ice cream and similar products

15555100 - Ice cream

15980000 - Non-alcoholic beverages

15981310 - Ice

15982000 - Soft drinks

42213000 - Machinery used in the manufacture of alcoholic or fruit beverages

42215000 - Machinery for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink

42968100 - Drinks dispensers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Aug 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North Ayrshire Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
IRVINE
Postcode
KA12 8EE
Postcode Area
Kilmarnock
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM9 Southern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire
Delivery Location
TLM93 North Ayrshire and East Ayrshire
Local Authority
North Ayrshire
Electoral Ward
Irvine South
Westminster Constituency
Central Ayrshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUL560833&idx=1
    24th July 2026 - PIN
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560833
    Prior Information Notice for Supply & Delivery of Sugar-Free (School Compliant) Ice Drinks & Free-on-Loan Dispensing Machines - This PIN is to engage with the market regarding the future supply and delivery of school-compliant sugar-free iced drinks, including the provision of 11 free-on-loan two-tank iced drinks machines, to North Ayrshire Council Secondary Schools and Commercial Cafes. The contract includes machine installation, servicing, maintenance, staff training, and end-of-contract machine removal. All drink syrups must comply with the Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020, containing less than 0.5g sugar per 100ml and no undesirable additives or preservatives. The contract will also provide pricing for compatible compostable paper cups, biodegradable spoons and straws, and support adhoc ordering with prompt delivery to designated locations across North Ayrshire. Acceptance of credit card payments is essential. Interested organisations are invited to complete a market engagement questionnaire. Completed questionnaires should be returned by 6th August 2026. This exercise is for information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a call for competition.

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.

Loading OCDS record...