---
title: "ID 6512168 DfE - Invest NI - Food and Drink Consumer Insights Service - Data Toolkit - Preliminary Market Engagement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069855"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069855"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069855.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069855.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "INVEST NI"
published: "2026-05-14"
---

# ID 6512168 DfE - Invest NI - Food and Drink Consumer Insights Service - Data Toolkit - Preliminary Market Engagement

Buyer: INVEST NI  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069855

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069855)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069855.json)

## Summary

Invest NI is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "ID 6512168 DfE – Invest NI – Food and Drink Consumer Insights Service – Data Toolkit - Preliminary Market Engagement." This initiative aims to develop a comprehensive data toolkit for Northern Ireland's food and drink sector, helping local businesses with market and consumer research. The project is governed by sub-central government regulations and aligns with Northern Irish devolved laws. The procurement is positioned in the services industry category, specifically focusing on market research services. Critical dates include the completion of a supplier questionnaire by 3 pm on Thursday, 5th June 2026, which must be submitted via eTendersNI. This procurement does not exceed the threshold and carries a gross value estimate of £600,000 GBP, with the related lot active from the beginning and end of 5th June 2026.

This tender provides significant growth opportunities for data suppliers specialising in market research, particularly those with expertise in consumer insights for the food and drink industry. The engagement is ideal for businesses capable of offering innovative data solutions and those wanting to influence the procurement strategy through early market engagement. By participating in this process, businesses can showcase their capabilities, gain valuable insights into sector demands, and establish themselves as key partners in evolving market strategies within Northern Ireland’s dynamic food and drink sector. Furthermore, this preliminary stage allows suppliers to inform Invest NI of any new developments or technologies that could be incorporated into the toolkit, enhancing their competitive edge.

## Notice

Invest Northern Ireland's Food and Drink Consumer Insights (FDCI) Service is preparing to tender for services from data suppliers to establish a data toolkit for supporting NI food and drink businesses with market and consumer research. There are currently thirteen component parts under consideration by Invest NI that will be required to make up the new Data Toolkit. It is hoped that this Pre-Market Engagement will help Invest NI understand what is currently available within the marketplace to inform the procurement strategy for each going forward. Prior to initiating any procurement process Invest NI wishes to seek feedback from suppliers on the high-level requirements, understand any supplier/product developments that are relevant to this space and to establish the level of market interest in participating in the procurement processes that are expected to follow. The Questionnaire can be located within the Tender documents area in eTendersNI. Interested Suppliers should download the questionnaire, complete and upload into the messaging function within eTendersNI by 3pm Thursday 5th June 2026. Any clarifications can also be submitted using the messaging function before the closing date.

### Planning Information

The Questionnaire can be located within the Tender documents area in eTendersNI. Interested Suppliers should download the questionnaire, complete and upload into the messaging function within eTendersNI by 3pm Thursday 5th June 2026. Any clarifications can also be submitted using the messaging function before the closing date.
The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via eTendersNI by the engagement
deadline date and time detailed above.
Details of additional participating bodies can be found detailed within the questionnaire
document.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044194-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 14 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 5 Jun 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 4 Jun 2026 - 5 Jun 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £500,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | INVEST NI |
| Additional buyers | CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT2 7ES |
| 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 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79310000 - Market research services

## Release History

- 14 May 2026 at 07:32 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044194-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044194-2026
  14th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-069855. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069855.json.
