Scope
Description
arc21 is a local government waste management group, based in Northern Ireland, who act as a contracting entity, procuring and managing waste contracts, on behalf of its constituent councils. The constituent councils are Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council; Ards & North Down Borough Council; Belfast City Council; Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council; Mid & East Antrim Borough Council; and Newry, Mourne & Down District Council.
In 2008, arc21 awarded a contract for the treatment of organic waste and in 2023/24 there was circa 148,000 tonnes of food and garden waste processed through it. The current contract is due to expire at the end of November 2029 and the purpose of conducting a preliminary market engagement is to obtain the views of potential private sector partners on the key issues involved in procuring and delivering new organic waste treatment contract(s) in the region, to inform the decision-making process in relation to how the organic waste from within the arc21 area is to be treated after the end of the current contract. The dates relating to the contract and extension periods contained within this notice are not fixed and the ultimate contract and extension dates will be informed by this market engagement exercise.
The engagement is intended to help shape arc21’s requirements and procurement strategy.
Further information can be found in the Information Memorandum.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2029 to 30 November 2039
- Possible extension to 30 November 2044
- 15 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 45000000 - Construction work
- 45220000 - Engineering works and construction works
- 90500000 - Refuse and waste related services
- 90510000 - Refuse disposal and treatment
- 90512000 - Refuse transport services
- 90513000 - Non-hazardous refuse and waste treatment and disposal services
- 90514000 - Refuse recycling services
- 90530000 - Operation of a refuse site
Engagement
Engagement deadline
17 December 2025
Engagement process description
An Information Memorandum and Questionnaire have been prepared and interested parties are asked to submit responses to the questions posed by 17:00hrs on Wednesday 17th December 2025 following which those who have participated will have the opportunity to meet with the Authority and their consultants to discuss their response. Further details are provided in the Information Memorandum. Any interested parties are required to submit their response through the eTendersNI secure messaging area of the Call for Tender (CfT) Ref: 6261321. All correspondence in relation to this Pre-Market Engagement exercise must be communicated via the eTendersNI secure messaging area.
To register on eTendersNI and access the Information Memorandum and Questionnaire, please use the following link: - https://etendersni.gov.uk and locate CfT Ref: 6261321.
Interested parties should also note that any interest shown does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tendering exercise.
Contracting authority
arc21
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVPN-6929-HZXG
Belfast Castle, Antrim Road
Belfast
BT15 5GR
United Kingdom
Email: info@arc21.org.uk
Website: http://www.arc21.org.uk
Region: UKN06 - Belfast
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland