Scope
Reference
CAT-25-008
Description
CAT-25-008 Water Coolers and Associated Items
The Contract is divided into two Lots as follows:
• Lot 1 Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items and;
• Lot 2 Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items.
This Contract is established by the Education Authority ("EA") and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows, who at some point, during the life of the Contract may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access at any point, with the permission of EA. This Contract is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place.
Department of Education - Schools Plus Primary and Post Primary schools under the control of the EA,
Catholic Maintained Schools,
Independent Schools in NI,
Irish Medium Schools in NI,
both Controlled and Voluntary Grammar Schools,
Nursery School for NI (both controlled, and Catholic Maintained), school meals kitchens on-site at all of these schools,
and Controlled Youth Centres.
NICIE - School Finder
Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI
Independent Schools in NI
Independent School in NI
EA Teachers' and Educational Centres
Council for the Curriculum, Examination and Assessment NI (CCEA)
Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC)
Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE)
Pre-Schools and Nurseries included in the Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP)
Due to the independent nature of the Schools within Northern Ireland there is no obligation for all schools to become party to the Contract if a value for money solution can be achieved through another Contract or arrangement.
The EA reserves the right to move value between Lots as required, however, the overarching value will not exceed £330,000 (ex VAT) without modification in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023.
Furthermore, suppliers should note that, in accordance with Section 31 and /or Section 74 of the Procurement Act 2023, the Buyer reserves the right to modify the Contract without a new procurement process in certain circumstances. In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, Suppliers should note that the true value of the Contract may differ from the values outlined above for the following reasons:
•Increase/decrease in the number of schools and number of pupils.
•Increase/decrease in the demand to use the Contract
•General increases/decreases in all costs such as equipment, 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 Contract).
•Increase/decrease in EA funding.
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
Description
Lot 1 is for the supply and delivery of Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items.
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
Description
Lot 2 is for the supply and delivery of Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
Contract 1. Lot 1 - Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
Lots
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
Supplier
Contract value
- £290,000 excluding VAT
- £348,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
31 October 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
6 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 17 November 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
18 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 30 December 2030
- 4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 15981000 - Mineral water
- 31141000 - Water coolers
- 41110000 - Drinking water
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Contract 2. Lot 2 - Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
Lots
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
Supplier
Contract value
- £40,000 excluding VAT
- £48,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
31 October 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
6 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 17 November 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
18 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 30 December 2030
- 4 years, 11 months, 30 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 15981000 - Mineral water
- 31141000 - Water coolers
- 41110000 - Drinking water
Contract locations
- UKN - Northern Ireland
Information about tenders
Lot 1. Lot 1 - Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
- 3 tenders received
- 2 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 1 supplier unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Lot 2. Lot 2 - Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
- 4 tenders received
- 4 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 4 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 3 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Suppliers
Culligan Water (Ireland) Ltd
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMHC-8491-JZCJ
88 Harcourt Street
Dublin
D02 DK15
Ireland
Email: sales@culligan.ie
Website: https://www.culligan.ie/
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. Lot 1 - Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
IRISH FOOD & BEVERAGES LTD
- Companies House: NI620217
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVQR-4971-RGJN
2nd Floor The Cornmill
Coalisland
BT71 4LP
United Kingdom
Email: info@rocwellwater.com
Website: http://www.rocwellwater.com
Region: UKN0B - Mid Ulster
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 2. Lot 2 - Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items
Contracting authority
the Education Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPHJ-6982-JPXY
40 Academy Street
Belfast
BT1 2NQ
United Kingdom
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland