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CfT: ***Pre-Market Engagement*** ICT-26-009 Catering Management System

Buyer Organisation:
the Education Authority
Title:
***Pre-Market Engagement*** ICT-26-009 Catering Management System
CfT CA Unique ID:
EANI-5276
Evaluation Mechanism:
MAT
Description:
***This is not a tender exercise*** The Education Authority Northern Ireland (EANI) would like to invite participation in a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise to seek the views of the market for the provision, in the first instance, of a Catering System within Northern Ireland schools, supporting modern, secure and efficient payment methods and managing risks associated with special diets within schools. The purpose of this PME exercise is for EANI to gain an understanding of the latest developments and innovative solutions available for school settings and will be used to assist EANI in gaining a better understanding of the feasibility of the requirements, the most appropriate procurement and operational approach, the capacity of the market to deliver the requirements and an opportunity for the market to highlight any possible risks or issues. This PME exercise also seeks to identify indicative costs to help inform the business case on the commercial aspects for the delivery and implementation of solution(s). For the avoidance of doubt, this is the scoping phase of the project and is not part of any formal procurement process and there is no commitment at this stage to carry out such a process. Any information gathered will not be considered in any future tender exercise. Please note that participation or non-participation in this PME exercise shall not prevent any supplier from participating in any future procurement process, nor is it intended that any information provided shall place any supplier at an advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement exercise. Further information including the questionnaire can be downloaded from the documents section of the CfT on eTendersNI. Suppliers who wish to participate in the PME exercise must return the completed questionnaire via the messaging function of the CfT on eTendersNI no later than 15:00 on Friday 29th May 2026. As part of the PME exercise, participants may be invited to attend a follow-up session with EANI to explore and discuss the information provided in their response, this will be at the discretion of EANI.
Services, Works, Goods:
Services
CPC Category:
Computer and related services
Directive:
UK
Procedure:
Open/Competitive Flexible
CfT Involves:
A Public Contract
First Cycle:
Public
Tender Structure Envelope Type:
Qualification
Special Regime Contract:
No
CPV Codes:
72000000-IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
72212442-Financial systems software development services
48442000-Financial systems software package
48812000-Financial information systems
48000000-Software package and information systems
48100000-Industry specific software package
55500000-Canteen and catering services
55512000-Canteen management services
55524000-School catering services
Contact Point:
ict.procure@eani.org.uk
Award per Item:
No
NUTS codes:
UKN
Above or Below Threshold:
Below
Time-limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate:
05/06/2026 15:00
End of clarification period:
05/06/2026 15:00
Upload of documents within the clarifications:
Yes
Tenders Opening Date:
05/06/2026 15:30
Allow suppliers to make an online Expression Of Interest:
Yes
Contract awarded in Lots:
No
EU funding:
No
Multiple tenders will be accepted:
No
Contract duration in months or years, excluding extensions:
5 years
Validity of Tender in days or months:
90 days
Date of Publication/Invitation:
08/05/2026 15:47