- Scope of the procurement
- Lot 1 - Antrim and Newtownabbey
- Lot 2 - Ards and North Down
- Lot 3 - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Lot 4 - Belfast
- Lot 5 - Causeway Coast and Glens
- Lot 6 - Derry City and Strabane
- Lot 7 - Fermanagh and Omagh
- Lot 8 - Lisburn and Castlereagh
- Lot 9 - Mid and East Antrim
- Lot 10 - Mid Ulster
- Lot 11 - Newry, Mourne and Down
Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
the Education Authority
40 Academy Street
Belfast
BT1 2NQ
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Buyer's address
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Education
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £21,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for maximum number of lots
11
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 1 - Antrim and Newtownabbey
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,277,479
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 2 - Ards and North Down
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £749,785
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 3 - Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Lot No
3
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,708,860
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 4 - Belfast
Lot No
4
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £3,184,491
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 5 - Causeway Coast and Glens
Lot No
5
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,777,197
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 6 - Derry City and Strabane
Lot No
6
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £3,341,634
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 7 - Fermanagh and Omagh
Lot No
7
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,170,797
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 8 - Lisburn and Castlereagh
Lot No
8
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £749,114
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 9 - Mid and East Antrim
Lot No
9
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £1,878,603
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 10 - Mid Ulster
Lot No
10
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,012,692
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Lot 11 - Newry, Mourne and Down
Lot No
11
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 55521100 - Meals-on-wheels services
- 55521200 - Meal delivery service
- 60120000 - Taxi services
- 60180000 - Hire of goods-transport vehicles with driver
- 60172000 - Hire of buses and coaches with driver
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN - Northern Ireland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £2,149,348
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
No
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The period of all Call Off Contracts awarded from the DPS will be from the commencement date on the Award Notification and will run up to the end of that Academic Year i.e. end of June of each academic year. The decision to extend specific Contracts for Individual Runs will be made at the discretion of the Client and in accordance with the Commercial Conditions of Contract for Services Contracts. Extension options will align with the academic Years, and each contract will be for further additional Academic Year, for a maximum of 5 additional Academic Years (Maximum contract period of 6 years i.e. initial contract period including any enacted extensions). All commencement and expiry dates will be stated within the Award or Extension Notifications.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the setting up of a dynamic purchasing system
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
7 July 2028
Local time
12:00am
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.3) Additional information
Additional Services. . The DPS will operate until and including 7th July 2028 however the contracts for runs awarded under this DPS can continue until expiry of the individual contracts and any optional extension periods enacted by the Client.. The estimated values of the DPS are based on the analysis of historical expenditure and are not to be deemed to be a guarantee of the value of any Lot Contract(s) awarded through the DPS competition process. Nevertheless, the Client has included a value range for the Lot Contracts. Overall, for contracts awarded through the DPS, the estimated contract values are: . • Lower estimated contract value – £11,400,000 . • Upper estimated contract value – £21,000,000. Given the essential nature of the Services under the Lot Contracts (i.e. delivery of schools meal), the Client must ensure that the higher range is built into the DPS for any new contract(s) to cover unplanned, unforeseen events including:- . • Increase/decrease in the number of schools and number of pupils,. • Increase/decrease in the demand to use the DPS (e.g. by schools, including the Voluntary, Grant Maintained and Irish Medium Sectors and other Client associated establishments),. • General increases/decreases in all costs such as fuel, insurances, labour rates etc.,. • Unforeseen/unplanned events (for e.g. new schools which are an amalgamation of existing schools that were previously identified by EA as being eligible to utilise this DPS),. • Increase/decrease in EA funding,. • Staff shortages or absences that result in closures of EA Kitchens. • Changes to Government policy that impacts the EA Catering Service’s requirements in relation to this Service. • Environmental considerations and/or changes in EA environmental policy that impact the requirements for this type of service.. • Any decision to increase / decrease / remove Client’s fleet currently delivering the services.. Therefore, while the value of the DPS over its 6-year period is estimated at £11,400,000; actual spend under this DPS may exceed this estimated value. In such circumstances the identification of the overspend or any of the above points will be the trigger point that invokes a review clause. While the value of the DPS over its maximum 6-year period is estimated at £11,400,000, the value published in the Find a Tender Service Contract Notice is £21,000,000 to account for the above-mentioned factors. All values are exclusive of VAT. While spend on this contract may be less than the estimated value of £11,400,000 over the lifetime of the contract; spend will not exceed the maximum estimated value of £21,000,000..
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Education Authority
Belfast
Country
United Kingdom