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UK4

Water Coolers and Associated Items

  • First published: 19 August 2025
  • Last modified: 19 August 2025
  • Version: N/A
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Contents

Summary

OCID:
ocds-h6vhtk-04fdaa
Published by:
the Education Authority
Authority ID:
AA84149
Publication date:
19 August 2025
Deadline date:
12 September 2025
Notice type:
UK4
Has documents:
No
Has SPD:
No
Has Carbon Reduction Plan:
N/A

Abstract

The EA invites tenders for the Contract CAT-25-008 Water Coolers and Associated Items. The Contract is divided into two Lots as follows: • Lot 1 Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items and Lot 2 Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items. A maximum of 1 Contractor will be awarded a place on each Lot. Tenderers may bid for and be appointed to one or more Lots.This Contract is established by the Education Authority ("EA") and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows, who at some point, during the life of the Contract may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access at any point, with the permission of EA. This Contract is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place.Department of Education - Schools PlusPrimary and Post Primary schools under the control of the EA, Catholic Maintained Schools, Independent Schools in NI, Irish Medium Schools in NI, both Controlled and Voluntary Grammar Schools, Nursery School for NI (both controlled, and Catholic Maintained), school meals kitchens on-site at all of these schools, and Controlled Youth Centres.NICIE - School FinderGrant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NIIndependent Schools in NIIndependent School in NIEA Teachers' and Educational CentresCouncil for the Curriculum, Examination and Assessment NI (CCEA)Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC)Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE)Pre-Schools and Nurseries included in the Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) Due to the independent nature of the Schools within Northern Ireland there is no obligation for all schools to become party to the Contract if a value for money solution can be achieved through another Contract or arrangement.

Full notice text

Changes to notice

Description

This notice has been modified to change the Tender Submission Deadline - the deadline for submissions is now 15:00 on Friday 12 September 2025.

No other changes have been made.

Scope

Procurement reference

CAT-25-008

Procurement description

The EA invites tenders for the Contract CAT-25-008 Water Coolers and Associated Items. The Contract is divided into two Lots as follows: • Lot 1 Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items and Lot 2 Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items. A maximum of 1 Contractor will be awarded a place on each Lot. Tenderers may bid for and be appointed to one or more Lots.

This Contract is established by the Education Authority ("EA") and is open to the EA, including NI educational bodies as follows, who at some point, during the life of the Contract may wish to utilise the agreement and should have access at any point, with the permission of EA. This Contract is not intended to replace any current agreements that participating or non-participating institutions may already have in place.

Department of Education - Schools Plus

Primary and Post Primary schools under the control of the EA, Catholic Maintained Schools, Independent Schools in NI, Irish Medium Schools in NI, both Controlled and Voluntary Grammar Schools, Nursery School for NI (both controlled, and Catholic Maintained), school meals kitchens on-site at all of these schools, and Controlled Youth Centres.

NICIE - School Finder

Grant Controlled Integrated Education Schools in NI

Independent Schools in NI

Independent School in NI

EA Teachers' and Educational Centres

Council for the Curriculum, Examination and Assessment NI (CCEA)

Controlled Schools Support Council (CSSC)

Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE)

Pre-Schools and Nurseries included in the Pre-School Education Programme (PSEP) 

Due to the independent nature of the Schools within Northern Ireland there is no obligation for all schools to become party to the Contract if a value for money solution can be achieved through another Contract or arrangement.

Main category

Goods

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

330000.00 GBP to 330000.00GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

01 October 2025, 00:00AM to 30 September 2029, 23:59PM

Contracting authority

the Education Authority

Identification register:

  • GB-PPON

Address 1: 40 Academy Street

Town/City: Belfast

Postcode: BT1 2NQ

Country: United Kingdom

Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPHJ-6982-JPXY

NUTS code: UKN06

Email: catering.procure@eani.org.uk

Organisation type: Public authority - central government

Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Trade agreements

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Lots

Divided into 2 lots

Lot 1 - Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items

Lot number: 1

Description

Lot 1 is for the supply and delivery of Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items.

CPV classifications

  • 15981000 - Mineral water
  • 15981100 - Still mineral water
  • 41110000 - Drinking water
  • 31141000 - Water coolers

Lot value (estimated)

290000.00 GBP Excluding VAT

348000.00 GBP Including VAT

Contract start date (estimated)

01 October 2025, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

30 September 2029, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Type: price

Name

AC1 - Total Contract Price

Weighting: 100

Weighting type: percentageExact

Lot 2 - Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items

Lot number: 2

Description

Lot 2 is for the supply and delivery of Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items

CPV classifications

  • 15981000 - Mineral water
  • 15981100 - Still mineral water
  • 41110000 - Drinking water
  • 31141000 - Water coolers

Lot value (estimated)

40000 GBP Excluding VAT

48000 GBP Including VAT

Contract start date (estimated)

01 October 2025, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

30 September 2029, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Type: price

Name

AC1 - Total Contract Price

Weighting: 100

Weighting type: percentageExact

Contract terms and risks

Payment terms

The Supplier must ensure that the Buyer has issued a Purchase order number in advance of any goods being delivered.

Payments will only be made on receipt of an invoice quoting the relevant purchase order number.

The Supplier must ensure that purchase orders received are accurate in that they state the correct contract prices, or return for correction prior to the order being fulfilled, as discrepancies could result in delays to invoice payments where purchase orders and invoices do not match.

Invoices must be in pounds Sterling (GBP).

Suppliers must submit invoices directly to the address as specified on the order.

Supplier must submit a group statement for outstanding invoices on a monthly basis. The supplier may liaise with EA Accounts Payable to identify the information required on the statement.

The Supplier must replace or make good at their own expense any items that are or become defective as a result of poor design, materials or service.

Payment shall be made through the Bankers Automated Clearing System. The Supplier will be required to provide bank account details to the Buyer to facilitate this method of payment.

The Buyer reserves the right to withhold payment against any invoice which is not submitted in accordance with the Contract, or which covers or purports to relate to goods which have not been provided in accordance with the Contract and shall forthwith notify the supplier accordingly in writing.

During the Term the Buyer reserves the right to review ordering and/or invoicing procedures with the Supplier.

For an invoice to be considered valid it must be legible, from which a clear scanned image can be produced, and clearly show the following information:

• Purchase Order number (only one purchase order per invoice)

• Invoice number

• Invoice date / tax point

• Supplier name, address, postcode and VAT registration number

• Remittance name and address where this is different to above

• Goods details which match the PO details, including quantity billed, item description, unit of measure, unit price and total value (only goods delivered should be on an invoice)

All invoices must be made payable to the Supplier and not to any nominated sub-contractor(s).

Description of risks to contract performance

This Contract will be divided into 2 Lots with one Supplier appointed to each Lot. Suppliers may bid for and be appointed to one or both Lots.

Lot 1 - Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items

Lot 2 - Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items

The estimated value of the Contract over the whole (4 year) period is within the range of £280,000 - £330,000 (ex VAT) and £336,000 - £396,000 with VAT. A breakdown per Lot as:

Lot 1 - Bottle Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items = £250,000 - £290,000 (ex VAT)

Lot 2 - Mains Fed Water Coolers and Associated Items = £30,000 - £40,000 (ex VAT)

The Contract Value has been estimated based on the four year duration.

The lower range value for Lot 1 is based on the most recent annual spend under the former contract, with the application of indexation over the next four years but also includes additional 20% value for contingency purposes within the Contract for capital enhancement, which may or may not occur, and additional levels of contingency for other unplanned works that may be required over the lifetime of the Contract. This upper limit also includes the provision for Voluntary Grammar schools and other Public Bodies who may avail of this contract. The upper range value for Lot 1 the most recent annual spend under the former contract and indexation over the next four years but also includes a 40% additional value for contingency purposes within the Contract for capital enhancement, which may or may not occur, and additional levels of contingency for other unplanned works that may be required over the lifetime of the Contract. This upper limit also includes the provision for Voluntary Grammar schools and other Public Bodies who may avail of this contract.

The lower range value for Lot 2 is an estimated value as this is a new requirement with usage unknown. This includes the application of indexation over the next four years but also includes additional 20% value for contingency purposes within the Contract for capital enhancement, which may or may not occur, and additional levels of contingency for other unplanned works that may be required over the lifetime of the Contract. This upper limit also includes the provision for Voluntary Grammar schools and other Public Bodies who may avail of this contract. The upper range value for Lot 2 is an estimated value as this is a new requirement with usage unknown. This includes the application of indexation over the next four years but also includes additional 40% value for contingency purposes within the Contract for capital enhancement, which may or may not occur, and additional levels of contingency for other unplanned works that may be required over the lifetime of the Contract. This upper limit also includes the provision for Voluntary Grammar schools and other Public Bodies who may avail of this contract.

The EA reserves the right to move value between the Lots as required, however, the overarching value will not exceed £330,000 (ex VAT) or £396,000 (inc. VAT). EA do reserve the right to modify the contract for any of the reasons noted in the Specification Schedule, Section 21 Additional Services, and so the actual value of the contract/s may be greater than noted above.

There is no guarantee that any orders will be placed in any quantity during the period of the Contract.

Submission

Tender submission deadline

12 September 2025, 15:00PM

Enquiry deadline

26 August 2025, 23:59PM

Date of award of contract

29 September 2025, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

https://etendersni.gov.uk/

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Is this a recurring procurement?

No

Publication date of next tender notice (estimated)

01 June 2029, 23:59PM

Languages that may be used for submission

  • English

Tender submission deadline

12 September 2025, 15:00PM

Enquiry deadline

26 August 2025, 23:59PM

Date of award of contract

29 September 2025, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

https://etendersni.gov.uk/

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Is this a recurring procurement?

No

Publication date of next tender notice (estimated)

01 June 2029, 23:59PM

Languages that may be used for submission

  • English

Coding

Commodity categories

ID Title Parent category
41110000 Drinking water Natural water
15981000 Mineral water Non-alcoholic beverages
15981100 Still mineral water Mineral water
31141000 Water coolers Cooling towers

Delivery locations

ID Description
100 UK - All

Alert region restrictions

The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.

ID Description
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.

About the buyer

Main contact:
N/a
Admin contact:
N/a
Technical contact:
N/a
Other contact:
N/a

Further information

Date Details
No further information has been uploaded.

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