--- title: "CAT-21-008 Milk and Milk Products" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-031073" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-031073" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-031073.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-031073.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY" published: "2026-06-16" --- # CAT-21-008 Milk and Milk Products Buyer: THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-031073 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-031073) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-031073.json) ## Summary The procurement process titled "CAT-21-008 Milk and Milk Products" is managed by the Education Authority in Northern Ireland. The project falls under the industry category of goods, specifically fresh cow's milk and related milk products, and is classified under CPV code 03333000. The contract involves the supply to school meals kitchens, schools, and other locations across Northern Ireland. The procurement method for this tender initially involved an open procedure, which later progressed into an award update as of 16th June 2026, with active contracts including adjustments to the framework awarded to suppliers like Dale Farm Limited and The Grove Dairy. The recent modification ensures the delivery of milk to specific lots, including Armagh Area and several Ballymena and Omagh Areas, to continue uninterrupted service due to unforeseen supplier withdrawal. The original contract commenced on 3rd August 2022, with an end set for 30th June 2026. This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies in the dairy production and supply chain sector. It provides a chance to secure long-term supply agreements for a value estimated at 11,476,000 GBP for multiple lots, with contracts ranging up to 1410 days. The modification of the framework allows suppliers to secure additional lots without increasing the original framework value, benefiting large-scale suppliers like Dale Farm Limited. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can also engage as the process allows participation without a prior call for competition, making it accessible for well-prepared suppliers to expand their business reach within the educational and public service sectors in Northern Ireland. This tender will be particularly suitable for businesses capable of reliably managing supply and delivery logistics across multiple geographic locations. ## Notice Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026 ### Lot Information Lot 1- Armagh Area 1 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland Lot 2- Armagh Area 2 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 3- Ballymena Area 1 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 4- Ballymena Area 2 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 5- Ballymena Area 3 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 6- Ballymena Area 4 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 7- Ballymena Area 5 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 8- Ballymena Area 6 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 9- Ballymena Area 7 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 10 - Belfast Area Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 11- Dundonald Area Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 12- Omagh Area 1 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 13- Omagh Area 2 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 14- Omagh Area 3 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 15- Omagh Area 4 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. Lot 16- Omagh Area 5 Supply of Milk and Milk Products to school meals kitchens, schools and other locations within Northern Ireland for the period 1 August 2022 - 30 June 2026. ### Procurement Information This is not an award without prior notice, the purpose of this VEAT notice is to make the market aware that EA intend to modify this contract as detailed below. The purpose of this VEAT notice is to inform the market that the Education Authority (EA) intends to add the following lots to the existing award held by Dale Farm Ltd, in accordance with the pricing, terms, and conditions set out in the current framework agreement. Lot 2 - Armagh Area 3 Lot 6 - Ballymena Area 4 Lot 7 - Ballymena Area 5 Lot 8 - Ballymena Area 6 Lot 12 - Omagh Area 1 The original award for the lots listed above was made to Lacpatrick Dairies under the existing framework agreement. However, Lacpatrick Dairies has formally notified the Education Authority of their intention to withdraw from all of the specified lots, effective 1 November 2025. This decision follows confirmation that Grove Dairy, the third supplier awarded under the framework, is not currently delivering milk in the relevant areas and has advised that it would not be operationally viable for them to take on the additional schools. As such, Dale Farm Ltd is the only supplier capable of fulfilling the requirements within the necessary timeframe. The additional lots are required to ensure uninterrupted milk provision to schools commencing 1 November 2025. The modification is being made under the principles of urgency and operational necessity and is consistent with the scope and structure of the original framework. The modification is necessary to maintain uninterrupted delivery of milk to schools from1 November 2025 onward and is justified under Regulation 72(1)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, which allows for contract changes due to unforeseen circumstances without altering the overall nature of the contract. The awarded contractor's withdrawal from the framework was an unexpected development that could not have been foreseen. No aspect of the modification will alter the overall nature of the current contract as the scope of goods will remain unaltered, and any expenditure will not exceed the original awarded contract value. Regulation 72(1)(b) permits an amendment to an existing contract: for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor that have become necessary and were not included in the initial procurement, where a change of contractor (i) cannot be made for economic or technical reasons such as requirements of interchangeability or interoperability with existing equipment, services or installations procured under the initial procurement, or (ii) would cause significant inconvenience or substantial duplication of costs for the contracting authority, provided that any increase in price does not exceed 50% of the value of the original contract. The EA shall observe a period of no less than 30 days, beginning with the day after the date of publication, before modifying the contract as set out in this notice. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056507-2026 | | 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, SME | | All stages | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 16 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | 27 May 2022 | | Future notice date | 28 Feb 2022 | | Award date | 2 Aug 2022 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £11,476,000 | | Lots value | £11,476,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £15,779,500 | ## 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; EDUCATION AUTHORITY NI | | Locality | ARMAGH | | Post town | Northern Ireland | | Postcode | BT6A 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 | 3 | | Supplier names | DALE FARM; LACPATRICK DAIRIES NI; THE GROVE DAIRY | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products - 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products ### Codes - 03333000 - Fresh cows' milk - 15510000 - Milk and cream ## Release History - 16 Jun 2026 at 09:56 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056507-2026 - 26 Sep 2025 at 09:09 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059984-2025 - 16 Aug 2022 at 14:37 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022675-2022 - 27 Apr 2022 at 13:00 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010828-2022 - 28 Jan 2022 at 11:25 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002522-2022 ## Notice URLs - https://dalefarm.com/ - https://etendersni.gov.uk - https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps - https://lakelanddairies.com/ - https://www.grovedairy.co.uk/ ## 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-031073. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-031073.json.