Award

Sampling and testing of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in waterways

FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

18 Feb 2026 at 16:18

Award

12 Dec 2025 at 13:12

Tender

02 Oct 2025 at 16:34

Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency has successfully completed the procurement process for the "Sampling and testing of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in waterways" project, through an open procedure. This contract was awarded on 18th February 2026 to 20/30 Labs Ltd, based in Northampton. The project, which falls under the services category, aims to improve the identification of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains near livestock farms, potentially impacting food safety management for products like salad crops. The work is located across the United Kingdom, with crucial activities beginning on 16th February 2026 and continuing until 31st May 2027. This indicates the project is in its Award stage, following an initial tender period that ended in November 2025 and an award period concluding in December 2025.

This tender represents significant growth opportunities for businesses engaged in research services, particularly those involved in food safety and environmental monitoring. SMEs, such as the awarded 20/30 Labs Ltd, demonstrate an ability to engage in specialised high-impact research projects, indicative of growth potential within scientific and environmental sectors. Companies with expertise in laboratory services and consultancy, especially those prepared to meet high standards of deliverable performance, are well-positioned to compete. The procurement method favours innovation, offering a structured yet open pathway for qualified businesses to contribute to critical public health research and development services.

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Notice Title

Sampling and testing of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in waterways

Notice Description

The Food Standards Agency has awarded a contract for sampling and testing of shiga toxin-producing e-coli (STEC) in waterways. The purpose of the work described here is to characterise the diversity of STEC strains present in the environment nearby areas used for farming different livestock species, by sampling and testing nearby waterways. By establishing a better "fingerprint" of STEC strains typically associated with livestock farm types, we can attribute the proportion of human STEC cases to different livestock species which will help to understand sources and pathways of contamination of secondary food types such as salad crops. Understanding what proportion of human cases of STEC are attributable to different livestock farm types may also help growers take a proportionate risk management approach to protecting consumers.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05a75a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014946-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

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

73111000 - Research laboratory services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£265,017 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£265,017 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Feb 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
4 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
16 Feb 2026 - 31 May 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY
Contact Name
FSA Commercial
Contact Email
fsa.commercial@food.gov.uk
Contact Phone
00000000000

Buyer Location

Locality
YORK
Postcode
YO1 7PR
Post Town
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

20/30 LABS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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