Award

Contract for the provision of External Audit of BCGcattle Phase 3

ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

17 Nov 2025 at 10:19

Summary of the contracting process

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), a division of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the United Kingdom, completed a procurement process for a contract titled "Contract for the provision of External Audit of BCGcattle Phase 3," classified under research consultancy services. This contract pertains to services related to bovine tuberculosis vaccine trials and falls under the services category. The procurement adopted a limited method, involving an award procedure without prior publication of a competitive call, on the grounds of compatibility and the supplier's existing experience with the project. The contract, concerning field trials located in the UK, was awarded to Clinical Research and Communication on 28th October 2025.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for large businesses, especially those specialising in research consultancy services with a track record in clinical trials or veterinary services. Companies with expertise in field trials and those capable of providing comprehensive external audits while ensuring compliance with industry standards will find the project well-suited to their capabilities. It is particularly beneficial for firms with existing methodologies and prior engagement in similar services, as they can leverage their experience to ensure project continuity and success at critical stages.

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Notice Title

Contract for the provision of External Audit of BCGcattle Phase 3

Notice Description

Contract for the provision of External Audit of BCGcattle Phase 3

Lot Information

Lot 1

The requirement is for the external auditor to be based on the extended field work to complete Phase 3. The complexity and challenges around this project are numerous and the external auditor brings stability and experience. The external auditor is critical to success of the field trials.
Defra have invested in the development of a vaccine and companion DIVA test for bovine TB and it is expected that these will be a key tool in the control of this disease. For granting of a Marketing Authorisation (MA) by VMD a field trial of both diagnostics demonstrating safety and specificity must be run in the field. The external auditor will ensure that the field trial complies with GCPvet by performing audits as well as providing consultancy as and when required. Any significant deviation from GCPvet would risk granting of the MAs, and the field trial having to be repeated.

Procurement Information

The justification of the direct award to Clinical Research and Communication (CRC) is due to previous expertise in this cattle vaccine trial under a previous contract for these services for this programme of work therefore continuation of this work under a new contract is required. The supplier's knowledge and understanding of the trial is vital to the success of this project which has seen considerable delays due to its complexity. There will be a risk of failure of the project if the supplier were to change at this critical stage.<br/>The justification for this STA/Direct award is under PCR 2015 Reg 32 - "Compatibility - the supplier has the relevant methodology to complete an assignment which was previously let by competitive tender".

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e232
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074276-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73210000 - Research consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Oct 20253 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY
Contact Name
Network Procurement
Contact Email
network.procurement@defra.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 3459335577

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CLINICAL RESEARCH AND COMMUNICATION

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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