Interim Provision of Catering Services in LDC Cookstown

Official notice

Authority: Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (Police & fire)

ServicesAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Sectors: Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services (55) Delivery: Northern Ireland (UKN)

Awarded value£350,000published contract · exc. VAT

Awarded 2 Dec 2024no call for competition

Awarded to Finches Catering

What is being bought

Published requirement description

NIFRS has an imminent need to provide appropriate catering services for their trainees and third party users.

CPV: Catering services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published

Lot #1NIFRS has an imminent need to provide appropriate catering services for their trainees…Awarded

NIFRS has an imminent need to provide appropriate catering services for their trainees and third party users from a supplier who could cater for all NIFRS need; supply, deliver, serve, clean up.

Delivery: Northern Ireland

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached

Procedure method: Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Legal basis: CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category: Services
Notice status: Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold: Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime: Standard
Commercial structure: Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type: Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered: Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement: Unspecified in notice
First published: 23 Dec 2024, 09:08 GMT
Last source update: 23 Dec 2024, 09:08 GMT
FTS notice number: 2024/S 000-041342
Classification (CPV): Catering services
Delivery area: Northern Ireland (UKN)
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04cc7a Find a Tender

Why no open competition: The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive
Published justification: During the 2024 tender process, NIFRS undertook extensive market research within the local and wider area to understand all catering options available. One of these options was an 'on demand' catering service provision. Initial pre-market engagement evidenced that procuring one 'on demand' caterer wasn't a viable option, the primary common themes identified were;
Location not suitable
Fluctuating / low numbers on some days not attractive
Demand of 7 days a week provision unsustainable; weekends would like to attend larger events.
A number of suppliers could meet part of the need but not the full need e.g. prepare food, deliver food but not serve.
The preferred option was to proceed with a full commercial kitchen catering service. This tender was collapsed on the basis of affordability. The one supplier who had tendered was asked if they would be interested in this reduced catering requirements (I.e. preparation and servicing of hot meals for trainees only with some light catering for third party usage), however they have confirmed that they do not have an interest at this time. Therefore due to an urgent need for this within LDC, an interim DAC will be awarded to Finchs, with the intention of a future competitive tender for a long term solution.

Publisher note: The Client cannot guarantee any particular level of business within the Contract. Any information on value of business are for guidance only and no guarantee is given as to the exact value under this Contract. Any levels, or aggregate values of goods, referred to are indicative only and shall not be binding on the Client

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Awards 1

Awarded value £350,0001 contract exc. VAT

Bids received 1

Contracts signed 1latest 2 Dec 2024

Awarded to	Value	Date	Status
Finches CateringSME	£350,000 †	—	Awarded

Contracts

Interim Provision of Catering Services in LDC Cookstown · Finches CateringSME
Signed
2 Dec 2024
Value
£350,000
Status
active

Bid statistics published by the authority

Bids	SME	VCSE	Valid bid range
1bids	—	—	—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service

Contracting authorityPolice & fireBody governed by public lawPublic order and safety Lisburn, Northern IrelandContact email

Dispute resolution & review bodies

The UK does not have any such bodies with responsibility for appeal/mediation procedures. Instead; any challenges are dealt with by the High Court, Commercial Division, to which proceedings may be issued regarding alleged breaches of the PCR 2015 as amended.Review body Belfast

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Finches CateringAwarded supplierGB-COH: NI674333 Cookstown, Northern Ireland

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.