---
title: "DFC - Disability and Work Branch - Wholesale Supplies for the Ability Cafes"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "ULSTER SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT LIMITED (USEL)"
published: "2026-01-07"
---

# DFC - Disability and Work Branch - Wholesale Supplies for the Ability Cafes

Buyer: ULSTER SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT LIMITED (USEL)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed.json)

## Summary

The most recent procurement process concerns the award contract for wholesale supplies to Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL), an arms-length body of The Department of Communities. The tender, titled "DFC - Disability and Work Branch - Wholesale Supplies for the Ability Cafes," focuses on the food and beverages industry, specifically providing ambient, fresh, and chilled products for Ability Cafes located in Belfast and the Greater Belfast area. This process, conducted under an open procedure, was in the award stage as of 7th January 2026, with the contract completion scheduled for 7th January 2029. USEL, based in Belfast, operates as a social enterprise dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in securing employment, and was the buying organization in this successful procurement process. The contract was awarded to HENDERSON FOODSERVICE LIMITED with a gross value of £400,800.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses in the food and beverage sector, especially those with capabilities in supplying diverse food products across multiple locations. The contract's focus on both ambient and chilled supplies makes it well-suited for suppliers with strong logistics and distribution capabilities. Businesses with experience in managing supply chains involving fresh produce and prepared food items will likely thrive, given the open procurement method allowing for a competitive bidding environment. The ongoing opportunity to adjust contractual terms concerning product types and delivery locations adds flexibility for innovative suppliers to meet evolving operational needs, thereby fostering potential for business growth within the Northern Ireland market.

## Notice

Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL) is an arms-length body of The Department of Communities. USEL provide a wide range of services to people with disabilities or health conditions. USEL exists solely to help people with disabilities and health related conditions move into and sustain employment. Every year we employ, support and train over 1200 people across Northern Ireland. USEL offers a range of learning programs to help people get into employment and offer support to employers for our clients. USEL operates as a social enterprise model, combining a strong social mission with business operations. The Employment Services division is dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions in securing meaningful employment opportunities. The Ability Cafes, established in 2018, are driven by a powerful mission: to empower local adults with disabilities through accredited onsite training in health and safety, food preparation, kitchen hygiene, and customer service. These cafes serve as a dynamic platform for individuals to gain hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, equipping them with the skills and confidence to excel in their careers. USEL requires a Supplier for the supply and delivery of ambient, fresh and chilled products for the Ability Cafes with locations across the Belfast and Greater Belfast Area.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: CPD and the Buyer reserve the right to add or remove products / locations during the period of the contract to meet their operational needs.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001080-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Nov 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 18 Dec 2025 |
| Contract period | 8 Jan 2026 - 7 Jan 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £334,000 |
| Lots value | £334,000 |
| Awards value | £334,000 |
| Contracts value | £334,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ULSTER SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT LIMITED (USEL) |
| Additional buyers | CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT13 3JH |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast |
| Local authority | Belfast |
| Electoral ward | Sydenham |
| Westminster constituency | Belfast East |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | HENDERSON FOODSERVICE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

### Codes

- 15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products
- 15100000 - Animal products, meat and meat products
- 15200000 - Prepared and preserved fish
- 15300000 - Fruit, vegetables and related products
- 15400000 - Animal or vegetable oils and fats
- 15500000 - Dairy products
- 15600000 - Grain mill products, starches and starch products
- 15800000 - Miscellaneous food products
- 15900000 - Beverages, tobacco and related products

## Release History

- 7 Jan 2026 at 13:45 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001080-2026
- 18 Dec 2025 at 14:45 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084481-2025
- 17 Oct 2025 at 13:09 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066345-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/001080-2026
  7th January 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084481-2025
  18th December 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066345-2025
  17th October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.henderson-foodservice.com
- https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
- https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/topics/procurement
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.usel.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-05ceed. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed.json.