UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

Tenders are invited to carry out a pilot project to design and develop a user-friendly platform for the rapid interrogation and archiving of genomic data from human pathogens commonly associated with food. Provisional pathogens of interest include Salmonella, Campylobacter, pathogenic E. coli and Norovirus. Discovery work will investigate the preferred pathogens of focus (1-2 pathogens). This pilot will build on ‘dashboard’ approaches (such as those developed for Covid-19 monitoring) to create powerful, but easily understood, interfaces that can be used by decision makers (e.g., food inspectors or healthcare professionals). A key element of the data system development will be allowing the seamless integration of sample data with other existing data sources (e.g., infection data, meteorological data) to create new knowledge.

We would like to commission a study to collate chemical and microbiological data from model insect rearing systems using currently non-permitted substrates. These will form the key evidence data set for subsequent risk assessments.

The main purpose of this work is to help ensure the protection of vulnerable consumers from listeriosis. Vulnerable consumers are those whose immune system is weakened in some way. This includes but is not limited to: cancer patients, patients undergoing immunosuppressive or cytotoxic treatment, unborn and newly delivered infants, pregnant women, people with diabetes, alcoholics (including those with alcoholic liver disease) and a variety of other conditions. Immune system capacity decreases progressively in the elderly, so elderly individuals are also included in this group. Listeriosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

Tenders are invited to carry out a field and laboratory-based study to assess the transmission of AMR bacteria during the processing of broilers in UK slaughterhouses and cutting plants. We envisaged that this project would track batches of broilers as they progress through the different stages in the slaughterhouse and cutting plant. It is anticipated that sampling would be taken at key points in the slaughter and cutting process from whole incoming bird to finished whole or portioned chicken, as well as environmental swabs of the associated areas. The samples should include broilers and its components as well as caeca to see if there are changes in the AMR profile during the process. It is important to consider the impact of successive flocks on the subsequent contamination of the broilers, so sampling should consider inclusion of batches immediately before and after cleaning cycles. We expect the bacteria to be tested for should include at least E. coli and Campylobacter. We expect the final report to include a full analysis of the AMR findings, with a focus on the transmission of AMR during the processing of broiler carcases, to see if there are key areas that may require further investigation or intervention to reduce the spread of AMR bacteria.

Tenders are invited to carry out a horizon scanning and technology readiness level (TRL) study to help the programme understand what technology is out there and what stage is it at in terms of deployment. Following this activity, the supplier will recommend at least two technologies that can be tested in-field as rapid diagnostic tools for use in a relevant setting.

Tenders are invited to carry out a horizon scanning and technology readiness level (TRL) study to help the programme understand what technology is out there and what stage is it at in terms of deployment. Following this activity, the supplier will recommend at least two technologies that can be tested in-field as rapid diagnostic tools for use in a relevant setting.

We would like to commission a systematic literature review of the database on dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. Given the size of the database and the recommendations by the Committee on Toxicity (COT), the systematic review will be focused on a specific timeframe and number of specific endpoints/adverse effects.

On 1 October 2021 new pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) allergen labelling requirements came into effect in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. This change meant that PPDS foods must be labelled with a full list of ingredients, with allergens2 emphasised. We are looking to commission a contractor who can design and deliver a mixed method evaluation of these new requirements. The evaluation should engage three key stakeholder groups to build a holistic picture of the new labelling requirements' effects: - consumers with food hypersensitivities (FHS consumers), who were the intended beneficiaries of the changes. - food business operators (FBOs), who are responsible for implementing the changes within their businesses. - local authorities (LAs), who are responsible for monitoring FBO compliance with food safety regulations, of which PPDS is one part.

On 1 October 2021 new pre-packed for direct sale (PPDS) allergen labelling requirements came into effect in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. This change meant that PPDS foods must be labelled with a full list of ingredients, with allergens2 emphasised. We are looking to commission a contractor who can design and deliver a mixed method evaluation of these new requirements. The evaluation should engage three key stakeholder groups to build a holistic picture of the new labelling requirements’ effects: • consumers with food hypersensitivities (FHS consumers), who were the intended beneficiaries of the changes. • food business operators (FBOs), who are responsible for implementing the changes within their businesses. • local authorities (LAs), who are responsible for monitoring FBO compliance with food safety regulations, of which PPDS is one part.

Tenderers are invited to conduct a literature review of domestic and international evidence and supplementary expert interviews to understand 'what works' or 'what may work' in preventing food fraud.

The contractor (or lead contractor in the case of a consortium bid) should demonstrate an organisational project management culture and individual project management qualifications or equivalent experience such that they can successfully deliver this project on time and budget. The successful contractor will conduct sampling and radiological analysis of foods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The data generated will be used as part of the RIFE Report (Radioactivity in Food and Environment). The Radiological monitoring programmes are undertaken for monitoring purposes as opposed to research, to enable the FSA to comply with its responsibility to protect contamination of the food chain. These samples are analysed and used to carry out the assessment of dose. Samples to be collected will therefore be of food and feed from locations around major nuclear sites and several dairies away from nuclear sites across England and Wales. In addition, samples may be required from other locations in the British Isles which would either be agreed through ad hoc arrangements within this contract or by separate contract extensions or variations as appropriate.

Call for Competition FS101210 Radioactivity Food Environment (RIFE) Report The environment agencies and the FSA manage an annual monitoring programme, which gathers data on the levels of radioactivity in food, and the environment (RIFE) (air, water, sediment, gamma dose rate, etc.). These, together with the most up to date habits data, are then used to conduct retrospective dose assessments to check that radiation dose to members of the public, as a result of authorised discharges, are within legal limits. The assessment and report are critical to the FSA's strategic aim that food in UK is safe to eat. The contractor (or lead contractor in the case of a consortium bid) should demonstrate an organisational project management culture and individual project management qualifications or equivalent experience such that they can successfully deliver this project on time and budget.

Call for Competition - FS101211 - Radiological Monitoring Sample, Analysis and Collection The successful contractor will conduct sampling and radiological analysis of foods in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The data generated will be used as part of the RIFE Report (Radioactivity in Food and Environment).

The environment agencies and the FSA manage an annual monitoring programme, which gathers data on the levels of radioactivity in food, and the environment (RIFE) (air, water, sediment, gamma dose rate, etc.). These, together with the most up to date habits data, are then used to conduct retrospective dose assessments to check that radiation dose to members of the public, as a result of authorised discharges, are within legal limits. The assessment and report are critical to the FSA’s strategic aim that food in UK is safe to eat. The contractor (or lead contractor in the case of a consortium bid) should demonstrate an organisational project management culture and individual project management qualifications or equivalent experience such that they can successfully deliver this project on time and budget.

The FSA wishes to appoint a supplier, or suppliers, to deliver food and feed official controls training to PHA and LAs within a call-off contract arrangement. As this will be a call-off agreement for each lot, the FSA will not provide any guarantee as to the likely value or volume of work to be awarded. The number of training sessions or new courses will be based on the demand from PHA/LAs and also depending on the FSA's training budget. Further information about the call-off contract can be found in the call-off procedure section of this specification. The contract would be for a period to 31st March 2024 with an option for the FSA to extend this for a further 12 months up to 31st March 2025 subject to supplier performance and FSA priorities.

The PATH-SAFE programme will pilot a national surveillance network, using the latest DNA-sequencing technology and environmental sampling to improve the detection, and tracking of foodborne human pathogens through the whole agri-food system from farm-to-fork. The FSA wishes to appoint a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) partner for the PATH-SAFE programme running until June 2024. PATH-SAFE is a cross-government collaboration consisting of four workstreams and the successful supplier will work with the PATH-SAFE team, and specifically the PATH-SAFE Evaluation Lead advisor, to design and deliver M&E activity at both workstream and programme level. The M&E project will run until June 2024 and consist of 3 objectives: • Objective 1: Design of M&E • Objective 2: Process and Output monitoring & evaluation (workstream level + programme level) • Objective 3: Programme level outcome evaluation + feasibility study for impact evaluation approaches

The PATH-SAFE programme will pilot a national surveillance network, using the latest DNA-sequencing technology and environmental sampling to improve the detection, and tracking of foodborne human pathogens through the whole agri-food system from farm-to-fork. The FSA wishes to appoint a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) partner for the PATH-SAFE programme running until June 2024. PATH-SAFE is a cross-government collaboration consisting of four workstreams and the successful supplier will work with the PATH-SAFE team, and specifically the PATH-SAFE Evaluation Lead advisor, to design and deliver M&E activity at both workstream and programme level. The M&E project will run until June 2024 and consist of 3 objectives: - Objective 1: Design of M&E - Objective 2: Process and Output monitoring & evaluation (workstream level + programme level) - Objective 3: Programme level outcome evaluation + feasibility study for impact evaluation approaches

Building on the recently published FSA rapid evidence assessment of UK citizen and industry understandings of sustainability, FSA wishes to commission a literature review to explore methods of assessing imported food production standards. The review should focus specifically on assessing: - animal welfare, - nutritional composition, and - environmental sustainability standards.