---
title: "CAT-21-011 Fresh Muffins and Associated Items"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0310c6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0310c6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0310c6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0310c6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-03-30"
---

# CAT-21-011 Fresh Muffins and Associated Items

Buyer: THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0310c6

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## Summary

The Northern Ireland Education Authority (EA) has awarded a procurement framework for the supply and delivery of fresh muffins and associated items. The contract involves significant educational establishments across Northern Ireland and is part of a framework involving three lots awarded to Henderson Foodservice. This procurement falls within the bakery products category, covering Armagh/Omagh, Antrim/Derry, and Belfast/Dundonald regions. The procurement stage has reached the award update, with modifications applicable to all three lots. Originally this framework was set from 1 August 2022 to 30 April 2023, with options to extend for up to 12 months and further up to 24 months, but it was modified to run until 30 June 2027 to meet unforeseen circumstances and urgent requirements. The current framework ends on 30 June 2027, with a contract value of £2,100,000 for each lot. The Education Authority offers potential contractors the chance to supply bakery goods to a wide network of Northern Ireland's educational facilities, including libraries and councils associated with youth and school meal kitchens.

This tender opens up robust business growth opportunities for suppliers in the bakery industry, particularly those with capabilities in producing muffins, sweet biscuits, pastry goods, and cakes. With the framework being open to various educational bodies like schools, libraries, and Further Education Colleges, businesses with experience in large-scale bakery product distribution and a firm understanding of regional logistics in Northern Ireland would be well-suited to compete. Henderson Foodservice, a large supplier, was awarded the framework, indicating that businesses with comparable capacities in delivering high-quality bakery products may find success in future opportunities, especially those who can fulfill large orders adhering to precise delivery schedules. The use of a limited procurement method without prior call for competition suggests that the EA prioritized alignment with existing service provision, favoring established suppliers who could seamlessly integrate into the current supply chain and respond to urgent procurement needs.

## Notice

The Education Authority (hereafter referred to as EA) has a requirement for the supply and delivery of Fresh Muffins and associated Items to school meals kitchens and other educational establishments within Northern Ireland from 1 August 2022 to 30 April 2023 with options to extend for up to 12 months and up to 24 months respectively. The EA intends to accept one contractor for each of the following Lots: Lot 1 - Armagh/Omagh Lot 2 - Antrim/Derry Lot 3 - Belfast/Dundonald

### Lot Information

Lot 1 Armagh/Omagh

Supply and delivery of Fresh Muffins and associated items to school meal kitchens and other educational establishments within Northern Ireland.

Options: Options to extend for two further periods of up to 12 months and up to 24 months respectively.

Lot 2 Antrim/Derry

Supply and delivery of Fresh Muffins and associated items to school meal kitchens and other educational establishments within Northern Ireland. 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/ Libraries NI: https://www.librariesni.org.uk/Libraries/ 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.

Options: Options to extend for two further periods of up to 12 months and up to 24 months respectively.

Lot 3 Belfast/Dundonald

Supply and delivery of Fresh Muffins and associated items to school meal kitchens and other educational establishments within Northern Ireland. 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/ Libraries NI: https://www.librariesni.org.uk/Libraries/ 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.

Options: Options to extend for two further periods of up to 12 months and up to 24 months respectively.

Lot 4 Belfast City Council

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland invites tenders for the supply of Fresh Bread and Rolls to Post Primary School meals kitchens and Headquarter canteens within Northern Ireland for the period 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2026.

Options: In the event that there is a delay in the establishment of any succeeding framework, the Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, extend this Framework Agreement on a month by month basis up to a maximum of a further two months from 1 July 2026.

Lot 5 Causeway Coast and Glens

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland invites tenders for the supply of Fresh Bread and Rolls to Post Primary School meals kitchens and Headquarter canteens within Northern Ireland for the period 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2026.

Options: In the event that there is a delay in the establishment of any succeeding framework, the Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, extend this Framework Agreement on a month by month basis up to a maximum of a further two months from 1 July 2026.

Lot 6 Derry City Council and Strabane

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland invites tenders for the supply of Fresh Bread and Rolls to Post Primary School meals kitchens and Headquarter canteens within Northern Ireland for the period 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2026.

Options: In the event that there is a delay in the establishment of any succeeding framework, the Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, extend this Framework Agreement on a month by month basis up to a maximum of a further two months from 1 July 2026.

Lot 7 Fermanagh and Omagh

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland invites tenders for the supply of Fresh Bread and Rolls to Post Primary School meals kitchens and Headquarter canteens within Northern Ireland for the period 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2026.

Options: In the event that there is a delay in the establishment of any succeeding framework, the Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, extend this Framework Agreement on a month by month basis up to a maximum of a further two months from 1 July 2026.

Lot 8 Lisburn and Castlereagh

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland invites tenders for the supply of Fresh Bread and Rolls to Post Primary School meals kitchens and Headquarter canteens within Northern Ireland for the period 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2026.

Options: In the event that there is a delay in the establishment of any succeeding framework, the Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, extend this Framework Agreement on a month by month basis up to a maximum of a further two months from 1 July 2026

Lot 9 Mid and East Antrim

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland invites tenders for the supply of Fresh Bread and Rolls to Post Primary School meals kitchens and Headquarter canteens within Northern Ireland for the period 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2026.

Options: In the event that there is a delay in the establishment of any succeeding framework, the Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, extend this Framework Agreement on a month by month basis up to a maximum of a further two months from 1 July 2026

Lot 10 Mid Ulster

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland invites tenders for the supply of Fresh Bread and Rolls to Post Primary School meals kitchens and Headquarter canteens within Northern Ireland for the period 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2026.

Options: In the event that there is a delay in the establishment of any succeeding framework, the Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, extend this Framework Agreement on a month by month basis up to a maximum of a further two months from 1 July 2026.

Lot 11 Newry and Mourne

The Education Authority in Northern Ireland invites tenders for the supply of Fresh Bread and Rolls to Post Primary School meals kitchens and Headquarter canteens within Northern Ireland for the period 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2026.

Options: In the event that there is a delay in the establishment of any succeeding framework, the Authority may, by giving notice in writing to the Contractor, extend this Framework Agreement on a month by month basis up to a maximum of a further two months from 1 July 2026.

### Procurement Information

This is not an award of a new framework, 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 August 2022 to 30 April 2023 with options to extend for up to 12 months and up to 24 months respectively. All extension options have been utilised and the framework was modified to extend for a further 2 months under PCR2015 Regulation 72(1)(e) as the modification was not substantial. The current expiry date of the framework is 30 June 2026. The EA now intend to modify this framework to extend for a further 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/028856-2026 |
| 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 | 12 Oct 2022 |
| Future notice date | 28 Feb 2022 |
| Award date | 18 Jul 2022 |
| Contract period | 31 Jul 2022 - 30 Jun 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £800,000 |
| Lots value | £800,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £2,800,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active, Unsuccessful |
| 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 | 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 | 1 |
| Supplier names | HENDERSON FOODSERVICE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

### Codes

- 15612500 - Bakery products
- 15810000 - Bread products, fresh pastry goods and cakes
- 15811100 - Bread
- 15812000 - Pastry goods and cakes
- 15821200 - Sweet biscuits

## Release History

- 30 Mar 2026 at 07:57 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028856-2026
- 17 Mar 2026 at 22:20 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024314-2026
- 6 Mar 2026 at 10:33 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020251-2026
- 31 Oct 2022 at 16:03 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030714-2022
- 9 Sep 2022 at 14:54 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025397-2022
- 25 Jul 2022 at 12:33 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020147-2022
- 6 May 2022 at 16:17 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011911-2022
- 28 Jan 2022 at 17:44 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002604-2022

## Notice URLs

- https://etendersni.gov.uk/
- https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
- https://henderson-group.com/
- https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/services/schools-plus
- https://www.isc.co.uk/schools/northern-ireland/
- https://www.librariesni.org.uk/Libraries/
- 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-0310c6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0310c6.json.