Scope
Reference
CAT-25-011
Description
This is not a tender exercise by the Education Authority. The Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI) wishes to engage with the market to seek their views on establishing a robust, value for money contract for the provision of Sandwiches and Associated Products with Hospitality Items to schools and EA locations in Northern Ireland. Any information gathered through this market consultation exercise will inform internal business planning and any possible subsequent procurement process and will NOT be appraised in any future tender evaluation exercise. Please note that participation or nonparticipation in this preliminary market consultation exercise shall not prevent any supplier from participating in any potential procurement process, nor is it intended that any information supplied shall place any supplier at an advantage or disadvantage in any forthcoming procurement process. For the avoidance of doubt, this is the scoping phase of the project and is not part of a formal procurement process. Suppliers who wish to participate in the market engagement exercise should complete the pre-market engagement questionnaire.
Further information including the questionnaire can be downloaded from the documents question of the CfT on eTendersNI. The Questionnaire must be completed and PME Document signed and returned via the messaging function of the CfT on eTendersNI by no later than 3pm on Monday, 16 February 2026 (deadline) in accordance with the instructions detailed in the PME Questionnaire document.
Total value (estimated)
- £7,500,000 excluding VAT
- £7,500,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2028
- Possible extension to 30 June 2032
- 6 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 15811510 - Sandwiches
- 15811511 - Prepared sandwiches
Engagement
Engagement deadline
16 February 2026
Engagement process description
PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE (PME) for the Supply and Delivery of Sandwiches and Associated Products with Hospitality products for locations throughout Northern Ireland. Interested suppliers are asked to complete and return the questionnaire.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
16 March 2026
Contracting authority
the Education Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPHJ-6982-JPXY
40 Academy Street
Belfast
BT12NQ
United Kingdom
Email: catering.procure@eani.org.uk
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland