Award

DFC - Disability and Work Branch - Wholesale Supplies for the Ability Cafes

  • Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL)

UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-084481

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05ceed (view related notices)

Published 18 December 2025, 2:45pm



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.


Contract 1

Supplier

Contract value

  • £334,000 excluding VAT
  • £400,800 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Award decision date

18 December 2025

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

18 December 2025

Standstill period

  • End: 31 December 2025
  • 8 working days

Earliest date the contract will be signed

7 January 2026

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 7 January 2026 to 6 January 2029
  • 3 years

Main procurement category

Goods

Options

The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.

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.

CPV classifications

  • 15000000 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

Contract locations

  • UKN - Northern Ireland

Information about tenders

  • 1 tender received
  • 1 tender assessed in the final stage:
    • 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 1 supplier awarded contracts
  • 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure


Supplier

HENDERSON FOODSERVICE LIMITED

  • Companies House: NI006894
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTDD-2623-PPYP

1 Hightown Avenue

Newtownabbey

BT36 4RT

United Kingdom

Region: UKN0D - Antrim and Newtownabbey

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1


Contracting authority

Ulster Supported Employment Limited (USEL)

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDHG-1617-ZJJX

182-188 Cambrai Street

Belfast

BT13 3JH

United Kingdom

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

Clare House, 303 Airport Road West

BELFAST

BT3 9ED

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast


Contact organisation

Contact CPD - Supplies & Services Division for any enquiries.