---
title: "Interim Provision of Catering Services in LDC Cookstown"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04cc7a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04cc7a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04cc7a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04cc7a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE"
published: "2024-12-23"
---

# Interim Provision of Catering Services in LDC Cookstown

Buyer: NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04cc7a

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## Summary

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has awarded an interim contract for the provision of catering services at LDC Cookstown. The award, dated 2nd December 2024, was granted to Finches Catering with a contract value of £350,000. This is a limited procurement method where the call for competition was not published. The tender sought to address urgent catering needs for NIFRS trainees and third-party users in the UKN region under the "services" category within the food and catering industry (CPV: 55520000). The planning and tender stages highlighted specific challenges culminated in opting for an interim solution due to affordability and suppliers' capacity issues.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses within the catering industry, particularly those that can provide comprehensive services such as food preparation, delivery, and on-site serving. Companies with the capability to manage fluctuating demand and consistent service provision over a 7-day period would be well-suited. SMEs like Finches Catering, who received the interim contract, exemplify the potential for smaller businesses to secure significant public sector contracts, paving the way for future competitive tenders and long-term partnerships.

## Notice

NIFRS has an imminent need to provide appropriate catering services for their trainees and third party users.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

NIFRS has an imminent need to provide appropriate catering services for their trainees and third party users from a supplier who could cater for all NIFRS need; supply, deliver, serve, clean up.

### Procurement Information

During the 2024 tender process, NIFRS undertook extensive market research within the local and wider area to understand all catering options available. One of these options was an 'on demand' catering service provision. Initial pre-market engagement evidenced that procuring one 'on demand' caterer wasn't a viable option, the primary common themes identified were; Location not suitable Fluctuating / low numbers on some days not attractive Demand of 7 days a week provision unsustainable; weekends would like to attend larger events. A number of suppliers could meet part of the need but not the full need e.g. prepare food, deliver food but not serve. The preferred option was to proceed with a full commercial kitchen catering service. This tender was collapsed on the basis of affordability. The one supplier who had tendered was asked if they would be interested in this reduced catering requirements (I.e. preparation and servicing of hot meals for trainees only with some light catering for third party usage), however they have confirmed that they do not have an interest at this time. Therefore due to an urgent need for this within LDC, an interim DAC will be awarded to Finchs, with the intention of a future competitive tender for a long term solution.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041342-2024 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Dec 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 2 Dec 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £350,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE |
| Locality | LISBURN |
| Post town | Not specified |
| Postcode | N/A |
| Country | Not specified |
| ITL 1 | Not specified |
| ITL 2 | Not specified |
| ITL 3 | Not specified |
| Local authority | Not specified |
| Electoral ward | Not specified |
| Westminster constituency | Not specified |
| Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FINCHES CATERING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

### Codes

- 55520000 - Catering services

## Release History

- 23 Dec 2024 at 09:08 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041342-2024

## Notice URLs

- https://www.nifrs.org/

## 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-04cc7a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04cc7a.json.