*Pre-Market Engagement* for TRN-24-002 Transport of School Meals DPS

The Education Authority wishes to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for the procurement of services for the Transport of School Meals for EA Catering Services. The administering EA office for this tender will be the Armagh office.

The Transport of School Meals services required includes the delivery of freshly cooked school meals from Production Kitchens to Serving Centres. These meals are cooked and sealed in Reiber Boxes or other food appropriate containers (held in standard crates), these meals are collected by the service provider in the sealed containers and transported to a Serving Centre. The Transport service also includes a return trip from the Serving Centre to a Production Kitchen to return items and food waste, again in sealed containers. At no point are operators required to directly handle food or food products.

The DPS will operate until 30th June 2028 and all EA requirements for Delivery of School Meals services will be tendered through the system until that date.

Contractors admitted to the DPS will remain on the DPS until the 30th June 2028. Admittance to the DPS does not guarantee the Award of any Individual Runs (Specific Contracts). Admittance to the DPS allows for participation in any Tenders for Individual Runs (Specific Contracts) within the relevant Lot.

The Education Authority intends on hosting information sessions for prospective suppliers, and any interested parties should respond to this notice or email transport.procure@eani.org.uk to be kept updated on the events. Information sessions are scheduled in the locations listed below;

Armagh - Tuesday 11th June

Belfast - Tuesday 11th June

Derry - Friday 14th June

Ballymena - Tuesday 18th June