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Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 24 Jul 2025, 17:10 BST

Official UK procurement notice

ID 6048315 - DAERA - CAFRE - Supply and Delivery of Ruminant Beef, Sheep and Dairy Rations

Official notice

Authority: College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) (Central government)·On behalf of: CPD

8 lotsGoodsOpen procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Sectors: Food, beverages, tobacco and related products (15) Delivery: Northern Ireland (UKN)
Published estimate£2,352,000total for 8 lots · £2,822,400 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 18 Aug 2025awarded 22 Sept 2025
Awarded to John Thompson & Sons Limited +3 more8 awards
Contract term 1 yrends 21 Sept 2026 · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensions · starts 22 Sept 2025

What is being bought8 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The College of Agriculture Food & Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) requires the supply and delivery of ruminant beef, sheep and dairy rations. The requirement has been separated into 8 Lots as outlined below. A separate contract will be established for each LOT.

Suckler Cow and Beef Enterprise (Beef and Sheep Centre (BSC) & Hill Farm Centre (HFC))

Lot 1 - Suckler cow and calf feed

Lot 2 - Beef finishing and store cattle

Lot 5 - Calf & Heifer Rations

Sheep Enterprise (Beef and Sheep Centre & Hill Farm Centre)

Lot 3 - Ewe & Lamb Feed

Dairy Enterprise (Dairy Centre (DC))

Lot 4 - Dairy Cow Rations (this includes blend, parlour nuts and Pre-calver nuts)

Lot 5 - Calf & Heifer Rations

Lot 6 - Milk Substitute

Additional feed components (All centres)

Lot 7 - Straights

Lot 8 - Feed additives

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 May 2030, 23:59 BST.

CPV: Animal feedstuffs · Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals

Lots and requirements (8)Procurement structure

8 lots · all with a published value (£2,352,000 together) · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Suckler cow and calf feedAwardedRenewal 1 yrSMEPublished value£84,000

Lot 1 Suckler cow and calf feed

Contract period: 22 Sept 2025 – 21 Sept 2026 (1 yr) · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensionsValue: £84,000 exc. VAT · £100,800 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr
15700000 Animal feedstuffs15710000 Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

Lot #2Beef finishing and store cattleAwardedRenewal 1 yrSMEPublished value£266,000

Lot 2 Beef finishing and store cattle

Contract period: 22 Sept 2025 – 21 Sept 2026 (1 yr) · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensionsValue: £266,000 exc. VAT · £319,200 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr
15700000 Animal feedstuffs15710000 Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

Lot #3Ewe and Lamb FeedAwardedRenewal 1 yrSMEPublished value£196,000

Lot 3 Ewe and Lamb Feed

Contract period: 22 Sept 2025 – 21 Sept 2026 (1 yr) · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensionsValue: £196,000 exc. VAT · £235,200 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr
15700000 Animal feedstuffs15710000 Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

Lot #4Dairy Cow Rations (this includes blend, parlour nuts and Pre-calver nuts)AwardedRenewal 1 yrSMEPublished value£1,190,000

Lot 4 Dairy Cow Rations (this includes blend, parlour nuts and Pre-calver nuts)

Contract period: 22 Sept 2025 – 21 Sept 2026 (1 yr) · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensionsValue: £1,190,000 exc. VAT · £1,428,000 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr
15700000 Animal feedstuffs15710000 Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

Lot #5Calf and Heifer RationsAwardedRenewal 1 yrSMEPublished value£126,000

Lot 5 Calf and Heifer Rations

Contract period: 22 Sept 2025 – 21 Sept 2026 (1 yr) · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensionsValue: £126,000 exc. VAT · £151,200 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr
15700000 Animal feedstuffs15710000 Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

Lot #6Milk SubstituteAwardedRenewal 1 yrSMEPublished value£70,000

Lot 6 Milk Substitute

Contract period: 22 Sept 2025 – 21 Sept 2026 (1 yr) · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensionsValue: £70,000 exc. VAT · £84,000 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr
15700000 Animal feedstuffs15710000 Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

Lot #7StraightsAwardedRenewal 1 yrSMEPublished value£350,000

Lot 7 Straights

Contract period: 22 Sept 2025 – 21 Sept 2026 (1 yr) · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensionsValue: £350,000 exc. VAT · £420,000 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr
15700000 Animal feedstuffs15710000 Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

Lot #8Feed additivesAwardedRenewal 1 yrSMEPublished value£70,000

Lot 8 Feed additives

Contract period: 22 Sept 2025 – 21 Sept 2026 (1 yr) · up to 21 Sept 2030 with extensionsValue: £70,000 exc. VAT · £84,000 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr
15700000 Animal feedstuffs15710000 Prepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored · same split on all 8 lots
Quality: 10%Price: 90%
Published sub-criteria (2)
  • AC1 Contract Management: 10%
  • AC2 Estimated Annual Cost: 90%
Published award criteria (2)
  • AC1 Contract Management: As per Tender documentation.
  • AC2 Estimated Annual Cost: As per Tender documentation.
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot1
  • Technical & professional ability

    As per Tender documentation.

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 90 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 9 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 May 2030
First published
24 Jul 2025, 17:10 BST
Last source update
30 Oct 2025, 16:20 GMT
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 8 Sept 2025
Authority reference
ID 6048315
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-042954
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Animal feedstuffsPrepared animal feeds for farm and other animals
Delivery area
Northern Ireland (UKN)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0565df Find a Tender
Contract terms summary

For further details on invoicing procedures please see : www.finance-ni.gov.uk/ar ↗ ticles/account-ni-good-invoicing-practice

Contract Value

The estimated value figure indicated in the Scope Section represents an overall estimated contract value. This value reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account potential optional extension periods and the uptake of potential optional services as detailed in the tender documents. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Neither CPD nor the contracting Authority can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Suppliers remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Supplier in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the Contracting Authority at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise (and a Supplier shall have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into) until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by the Contracting Authority.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: eTendersNI · Who buys & how to bid on eTendersNI
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free Northern Ireland registration
Submission deadline
18 Aug 2025, 15:00 BST
Clarification deadline
8 Aug 2025, 15:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT) opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below.

Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by the Contracting Authority / Buyer.

The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: URL etendersni.gov.uk/epps ↗

Timeline

24 Jul 2025 → 30 Oct 2025 · 8 dates
  1. Tender notice published
    24 Jul 2025, 17:10 BST
  2. Clarification questions by
    8 Aug 2025, 15:00 BST
  3. Submission deadline
    18 Aug 2025, 15:00 BST
  4. Award decision expected by
    8 Sept 2025, 23:59 BST
  5. Assessment summaries sent397 days ago
    22 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
  6. Contract starts397 days ago
    22 Sept 2025, 00:00 BST
  7. Standstill ends387 days ago
    1 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
  8. Latest notice published358 days ago
    30 Oct 2025, 16:20 GMT

Notice history

5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 24 Jul 2025
  1. Tender notice published
    24 Jul 2025, 17:10 BST
    UK4
  2. Contract award notice published
    22 Sept 2025, 12:00 BST
    UK6
  3. Status changed to complete
    22 Sept 2025, 12:00 BST
  4. Contract signature expected
    2 Oct 2025, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  5. Contract details notice published
    30 Oct 2025, 16:20 GMT
    UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 8
Awarded value £2,282,0007 awards exc. VAT
Bids received 1713 from SMEs
Contracts signed 7latest 2 Oct 2025
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · Suckler cow and calf feed1 award
John Thompson & Sons LimitedSME3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.£84,00022 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 2 · Beef finishing and store cattle1 award
United Feeds LimitedSME3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.£266,00022 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 3 · Ewe and Lamb Feed1 award
United Feeds LimitedSMELot 3 - Ewe & Lamb Feed3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.£196,00022 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 4 · Dairy Cow Rations (this includes blend, parlour nuts and Pre-calver nuts)1 award
United Feeds LimitedSME3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.£1,190,00022 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 5 · Calf and Heifer Rations1 award
United Feeds LimitedSMELot 5 - Calf & Heifer Rations3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.£126,00022 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 6 · Milk Substitute1 award
BRITMILKSME3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.£70,00022 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 7 · Straights1 award
FANE VALLEY FEEDS LIMITED3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030Extensions: Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.£350,00022 Sept 2025Awarded
Lot 8 · Feed additives1 award
supplier not published—22 Sept 2025Awarded

Contracts

  • Lot 1 - Suckler cow and calf feed · John Thompson & Sons LimitedSME

    Signed
    2 Oct 2025
    Value
    £84,000
    Period
    3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.

  • Lot 2 - Beef finishing and store cattle · United Feeds LimitedSME

    Signed
    2 Oct 2025
    Value
    £266,000
    Period
    3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.

    No agreed KPIs: The value of this contract is below the relevant threshold of £5 million including VAT and as such the reporting and publication of KPIs is not mandated.

  • Lot 3 - Ewe & Lamb Feed · United Feeds LimitedSME

    Signed
    2 Oct 2025
    Value
    £196,000
    Period
    3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.

    No agreed KPIs: The value of this contract is below the relevant threshold of £5 million including VAT and as such the reporting and publication of KPIs is not mandated.

  • Lot 4 - Dairy Cow Rations (this includes blend, parlour nuts and Pre-calver nuts) · United Feeds LimitedSME

    Signed
    2 Oct 2025
    Value
    £1,190,000
    Period
    3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.

    No agreed KPIs: The value of this contract is below the relevant threshold of £5 million including VAT and as such the reporting and publication of KPIs is not mandated.

  • Lot 5 - Calf & Heifer Rations · United Feeds LimitedSME

    Signed
    2 Oct 2025
    Value
    £126,000
    Period
    3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.

    No agreed KPIs: The value of this contract is below the relevant threshold of £5 million including VAT and as such the reporting and publication of KPIs is not mandated.

  • Lot 6 - Milk Substitute · BRITMILKSME

    Signed
    2 Oct 2025
    Value
    £70,000
    Period
    3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.

  • Lot 7 - Straights · FANE VALLEY FEEDS LIMITED

    Signed
    2 Oct 2025
    Value
    £350,000
    Period
    3 Oct 2025 – 2 Oct 2026 · up to 2 Oct 2030 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Initial contract period of one year with four options to extend by up to one year each, i.e. 1yr +1yr +1yr +1yr + 1yr.

    No agreed KPIs: The value of this contract is below the relevant threshold of £5 million including VAT and as such the reporting and publication of KPIs is not mandated.

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Suckler cow and calf feed3final-stage tenders20—
2 · Beef finishing and store cattle2final-stage tenders · 3 at stage one20—
3 · Ewe and Lamb Feed2final-stage tenders · 3 at stage one20—
4 · Dairy Cow Rations (this includes blend, parlour nuts and Pre-calver nuts)3final-stage tenders20—
5 · Calf and Heifer Rations3final-stage tenders20—
6 · Milk Substitute3final-stage tenders30—
7 · Straights1final-stage tenders00—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

3 public bodies on the notice

College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central governmentNorthern Irish devolved regulations apply GB-PPON: PYCL-3331-QQMP Greenmount Campus, 45 Tirgracy Road, Antrim, Northern Ireland, BT41 4PSContact email

Other public bodies

  • CPDBeneficiary authority
  • CPD - Supplies & Services DivisionProcess contact pointProcuring entityConstruction 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.GB-PPON: PVWG-8426-YWXV Belfast, Northern IrelandContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

7 commercial parties on the notice
  • BRITMILKAwarded supplierGB-COH: SC100357GB-PPON: PYTG-2738-VRPP 51 Rae Street, Dumfries, Scotland, DG1 1JDContact email
  • FANE VALLEY FEEDS LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: NI025752GB-PPON: PNMH-5321-JVBG Fane Valley Co-Op Soc Ltd Units 1 & 2 Glenavy Road Business Park, Moira, Northern Ireland, BT67 0LTContact email
  • Fane Valley Feeds LimitedAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PNMH-5321-JVBG Fane Valley Co-Op Soc Ltd Units 1 & 2 Glenavy Road Business Park, Moira, Northern Ireland, BT67 0LTContact email
  • JOHN THOMPSON & SONS, LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: R0000447GB-PPON: PHQW-8975-XTCN 35/39 York Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT15 3GWContact email
  • JOHN THOMPSON & SONS, LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PHQW-8975-XTCN 35/39 York Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT15 3GWContact email
  • UNITED FEEDS LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: NI038000GB-PPON: PBBN-5752-WNVJ Dale Farm House, 15, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT3 9LSContact email
  • United Feeds LimitedAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PBBN-5752-WNVJ Dale Farm House, 15, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT3 9LSContact email

Official documents & specifications (16)

Official links; attachments are not copied

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