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Utilising in silico, in vitro and 'omics New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for priority-setting and safety assessment of tropane alkaloids (TAs) and other plant toxins as potential food contaminants. A case study for progressing the acceptance of NAMs for

Food Standards Agency

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

27 Oct 2025 at 15:26

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

09 Sep 2025 at 11:48

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

24 Jul 2025 at 16:43

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency, based in York, United Kingdom, has completed a public procurement process to assess safety and set priorities for tropane alkaloids and other plant toxins in foods. The procurement, identified by the title "Utilising in silico, in vitro and ‘omics New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for priority-setting and safety assessment of tropane alkaloids (TAs)", was handled through a direct award process. The contract, valued at £586,050.60 gross, was signed with the University of Birmingham, starting on 25th September 2025, with a completion date set for 31st May 2028. This procurement falls under the industry category of research and development services and takes place across multiple stages for comprehensive testing and evaluation.

This contract represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in research services, particularly those experienced in advanced testing methodologies like in silico and in vitro models. Businesses equipped with intellectual property in such specialised systems, like the University of Birmingham, are well-suited to compete in this area. The procurement highlights a sector interested in cutting-edge technological applications to address food safety concerns, presenting growth opportunities by engaging in similar government projects that require innovative research capabilities and offer significant budgets for extended contract periods.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Utilising in silico, in vitro and 'omics New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for priority-setting and safety assessment of tropane alkaloids (TAs) and other plant toxins as potential food contaminants. A case study for progressing the acceptance of NAMs for

Notice Description

Tenders were invited to carry out a range of project delivery options, to deliver against stages 1, 2 and 3 as described below: Stage 1: This case study is to support the UK FSA's policy need to determine which TAs are the most potent (neuro)toxicants so as to prioritise specific substances and inform decisions on the UK's monitoring of these alkaloids in foods. An integral part of this aim is to confirm that neurotoxicity is the primary mode of action of these alkaloids. This aim will be achieved using a tiered-testing strategy of in silico, in vitro and 'omics NAMs. This will then be extended to other plant alkaloids such as glycoalkaloids and pyridazine alkaloids. Stage 2: To derive a HBGV for human exposure for the top priority, i.e. most potent substance within the class of TAs. This will utilise physiologically-based kinetic (PBK) modelling and quantitative in vitro to in vivo extrapolation (QIVIVE). This will then be extended to other plant alkaloids such as glycoalkaloids and pyridazine alkaloids. Stage 3: From a methodological perspective, a broader third objective of the case study is to evaluate and attempt to build confidence within the FSA in the application of a series of relevant NAMs that have been integrated in a manner to address policy needs. These NAMs are tiered and incorporate existing human in vivo data as well as new testing on human in vitro cell lines, to maximise the relevance and accuracy to human food safety. Please note contract start date is 22/09/2025

Procurement Information

University of Birmingham have IPR rights to the systems that will be used as part of the case study.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0565d3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068648-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

73110000 - Research services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£488,375 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£488,375 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Jul 20251 years ago
Contract Period
25 Sep 2025 - 31 May 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Food Standards Agency
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO1 7PR
Postcode Area
York
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE2 North Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE21 York
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
York
Electoral Ward
Guildhall
Westminster Constituency
York Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

University of Birmingham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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