Scope
Reference
ID 5988064
Description
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 Cafés, 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 cafés 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.
Total value (estimated)
- £334,000 excluding VAT
- £400,800 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 December 2025 to 16 December 2028
- 3 years
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
CPD and the Buyer reserve the right to add or remove products / locations during the period of the contract to meet their operational needs.
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 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
Submission
Enquiry deadline
7 November 2025, 4:00pm
Tender submission deadline
17 November 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
16 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| AC1 - Quality Control | 10.5 percent |
Quality |
| AC2 - Delivery Arrangements | 10.5 percent |
Quality |
| AC3 - Contingency Arrangments | 3 percent |
Quality |
| AC4 - Contract Management | 3 percent |
Quality |
| AC5 - Supply Chain, Human Rights and Modern Slavery | 3 percent |
Quality |
| AC6 - Total Cost | 70 percent |
Cost |
Weighting description
30 percent quality. 70 percent cost.
Other information
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDHG-1617-ZJJX
182-188 Cambrai St,
Belfast
BT13 3JH
United Kingdom
Email: Justice.CPD@finance-ni.gov.uk
Website: https://www.usel.co.uk/
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
CPD - Supplies & Services Division
Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV
303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast