---
title: "CAT-21-004 Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-03106e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03106e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03106e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03106e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-03-30"
---

# CAT-21-004 Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips)

Buyer: THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-03106e

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## Summary

The Northern Ireland Education Authority (EA) has recently awarded a comprehensive framework concerning the supply and delivery of ambient, fresh, and chilled groceries, including chilled chips. The procurement, valued at £36,000,000, covers nine lots encompassing various food categories such as baking ingredients, dairy products, and free-from products, and is targeted towards multiple educational institutions across Northern Ireland. Notably, Henderson Foodservice Ltd and Sysco Foods NI Limited have secured active contracts under this framework. The agreement, initially set for completion by June 2026, has been modified to extend until the end of June 2027, underscoring the EA's focus on ensuring continuous service provision. As of the latest update on 30 March 2026, the project is in the award update stage, with active participation from major suppliers, and covers the UK (region UKN) in the food, beverages, tobacco, and related products category.

This procurement presents numerous opportunities for businesses engaged in the food supply sector, specifically those with strengths in delivery logistics and capable of servicing educational institutions with diverse dietary requirements. With the extension of the agreement allowing for further engagement opportunities through June 2027, businesses specialising in food services can leverage this framework to establish prominent supply chains in the region. It's particularly viable for large-scale suppliers due to the framework's scale and scope. The procurement method without prior publication, highlighting urgent service needs, signals a growing demand for quality, timely deliveries within Northern Ireland’s educational sector, facilitating collaboration with EA's Catering Service to meet unforeseen urgent requirements.

## Notice

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026.

### Lot Information

Lot 1 Baking Ingredients, Baking Mixes, Jams, Chutneys, Cooking Fats and Oils

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips)

Lot 2 Breakfast Cereals, Desserts, Bakery Products

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. Additional information: This framework is let by the Northern Ireland Education Authority "EA" and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows and at some point during the life of the Framework these bodies may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access, at any point, with the permission of EA. This agreement is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place. 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. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus. Further Education Colleges in NI https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges. Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/. 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.

Lot 3 Dairy Products, Eggs, Beverages and Hospitality Products

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. Additional information: This framework is let by the Northern Ireland Education Authority "EA" and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows and at some point during the life of the Framework these bodies may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access, at any point, with the permission of EA. This agreement is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place. 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. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus. Further Education Colleges in NI https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges. Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/. 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.

Lot 4 Tinned and Canned Soups, Pulses, Grains, Fish, Vegetables and Fruit

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. Additional information: This framework is let by the Northern Ireland Education Authority "EA" and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows and at some point during the life of the Framework these bodies may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access, at any point, with the permission of EA. This agreement is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place. 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. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus. Further Education Colleges in NI https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges. Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/. 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.

Lot 5 Cooking Ingredients, Cooking Sauces, Table Sauces, Dried Pasta, Couscous, Rice and Noodles

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. Additional information: This framework is let by the Northern Ireland Education Authority "EA" and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows and at some point during the life of the Framework these bodies may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access, at any point, with the permission of EA. This agreement is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place. 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. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus. Further Education Colleges in NI https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges. Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/. 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.

Lot 6 Free From Products

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. Additional information: This framework is let by the Northern Ireland Education Authority "EA" and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows and at some point during the life of the Framework these bodies may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access, at any point, with the permission of EA. This agreement is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place. 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. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus. Further Education Colleges in NI https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges. Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/. 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.

Lot 7 Frying Oil

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. Additional information: This framework is let by the Northern Ireland Education Authority "EA" and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows and at some point during the life of the Framework these bodies may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access, at any point, with the permission of EA. This agreement is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place. 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. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus. Further Education Colleges in NI https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges. Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/. 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.

Lot 8 Domestic Sized Products

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. Additional information: This framework is let by the Northern Ireland Education Authority "EA" and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows and at some point during the life of the Framework these bodies may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access, at any point, with the permission of EA. This agreement is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place. 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. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus. Further Education Colleges in NI https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges. Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/. 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.

Lot 9 Chilled Chips

Supply and delivery of Ambient, Fresh and Chilled Groceries (including Chilled Chips) for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. Additional information: This framework is let by the Northern Ireland Education Authority "EA" and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows and at some point during the life of the Framework these bodies may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access, at any point, with the permission of EA. This agreement is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place. 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. https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus. Further Education Colleges in NI https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges. Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/. 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.

### Procurement Information

This is not an award of a new contract, the purpose of this VEAT is to notify the market that we intend to modify this existing Framework. This Framework was originally awarded for the period 01 September 2022 to 30 June 2026. The EA now intend to modify this framework to extend for a 12 month period until 30 June 2027. No aspect of the modification will alter the overall nature of the current framework as the scope of services will remain unaltered and no increase to the original awarded framework value is required. This modification is required to ensure ongoing service provision and to support the prioritisation of the catering procurement pipeline and ensure the delivery of urgent requirements in collaboration with the EA Catering Service. This modification meets all requirements of PCR 2015 Regulation 72(1)(c) which states: (c) where all of the following conditions are fulfilled:- (i) the need for modification has been brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority could not have foreseen; (ii) the modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract; (iii) any increase in price does not exceed 50% of the value of the original contract or framework agreement. The EA shall observe a period of no less than 10 days, beginning with the day after the date of publication of this notice, before modifying the framework as set out.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028854-2026 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 30 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 27 Jun 2022 |
| Future notice date | 28 Feb 2022 |
| Award date | 15 Aug 2022 |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2022 - 30 Jun 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £36,000,000 |
| Lots value | £36,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £40,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY |
| Additional buyers | EDUCATION AUTHORITY NI |
| Locality | ARMAGH |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT61 9AX |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast |
| Local authority | Belfast |
| Electoral ward | Duncairn |
| Westminster constituency | Belfast North |
| Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland, TLN0 Northern Ireland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | HENDERSON FOODSERVICE; SYSCO FOODS NI |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

### Codes

- 15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

## Release History

- 30 Mar 2026 at 07:56 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028854-2026
- 6 Mar 2026 at 10:34 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020253-2026
- 16 Aug 2022 at 15:49 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022702-2022
- 27 May 2022 at 19:40 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014993-2022
- 28 Jan 2022 at 11:15 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002517-2022

## Notice URLs

- https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
- https://henderson-group.com/
- https://syscoireland.com/
- https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus
- https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/northern-ireland/
- https://www.nicie.org/parents/schoolfinder/
- https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/further-education-fe-colleges

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03106e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03106e.json.