Bioavailability of Food Supplements

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0663a1-2026-06-04T18:01:08+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-04T18:01:08+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0663a1",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PJRM-6866-LYYX",
            "name": "Food Standards Agency",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PJRM-6866-LYYX"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "YO1 7PR",
                "locality": "York",
                "postalCode": "YO1 7PR",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKE21"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "FSA Commercial",
                "email": "fsa.commercial@food.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.food.gov.uk/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PLZJ-9375-CVRJ",
            "name": "Camrosh Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PLZJ-9375-CVRJ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "St John's Innovation Centre, Cowley Road",
                "locality": "Cambridge",
                "postalCode": "CB4 0WS",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH12"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "info@camrosh.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false,
                "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false,
                "shelteredWorkshop": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PJRM-6866-LYYX",
        "name": "Food Standards Agency"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C428403",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Bioavailability of Food Supplements",
        "description": "The Food Standards Agency is looking to appoint 1 supplier to deliver a systematic literature review project on 'Bioavailability of Food Supplements' on a contracted basis from June 2026 until March 2028. Consumer use of food supplements has increased in recent years, accompanied by a growing trend for manufacturers to market novel formulations that claim enhanced oral bioavailability compared to conventional forms. These formulations include lipid-based systems such as liposomes, micelles, emulsions, and nanoparticles, as well as non-lipid approaches like particle size reduction through micronisation and co-formulation with polysaccharides. Although these products are often promoted as improving absorption, the supporting evidence remains limited and uncertain. This uncertainty is further increased by the vast variety of formulation types and the lack of data characterising their physicochemical properties. Consequently, the potential impact of these formulations on bioavailability and on toxicological risk, remains unclear and may pose concerns, particularly for under-characterised active ingredients and vulnerable populations. The Chemical Risk Assessment Unit (CRAU), through its risk assessments and engagement with other regulators, has identified emerging risks from food supplements intake and has sought advice from the Committee on Toxicity (COT) on several actives. The lack of information on how different formulations influence the toxicological profile of active substances remains a significant data gap in the risk assessment of food supplements. Addressing this gap is critical for ensuring robust risk assessments and informed policy decisions. In their recent report on novel formulations designed to increase food supplement bioavailability, the COT recommended that novel formulations and their active agents should be assessed for toxicokinetics on a case by case basis, using model systems that account for species differences in metabolism (COT, 2025). The COT emphasised that the feeding state (fed versus fasted) is a key determinant of bioavailability and must be critically considered when comparing across formulations. Furthermore, the suitability of acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) and other health based guidance values (HBGVs) for unformulated food supplements should always be reviewed when applied to formulations designed to increase bioavailability, and approaches for relating HBGVs to differences in bioavailability should be assessed and applied on a case by case basis (COT, 2025). The work proposed in the specification contributes to the FSA Corporate Priority EG1 - Risk Analysis informed by evidence and aligns with FSA Areas of Research Interest on novel approach methods to assess chemical hazards and impact on consumers.",
        "status": "complete",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "73000000",
                        "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "73200000",
                        "description": "Research and development consultancy services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79310000",
                        "description": "Market research services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "73110000",
                        "description": "Research services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 360000,
            "amount": 300000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "Tenders for FSA funded projects must be submitted through the health-family single e-Commercial System (Atamis), using the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-17T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-20T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-06-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 360000,
                    "amount": 300000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "description": "See Specification for more details. The technical criteria is broken down into 6 sections.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 80,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Commercial",
                            "description": "See specification for more details. The Commercial section is split into 5 sub-sections.",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 20,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2028-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2028-06-30T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "This contract will have an optional extension of 3 months from 31st March 2028"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            },
            {
                "id": "020169-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020169-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-06T07:45:53Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "contractTerms": {
            "financialTerms": "Payment of valid and undisputed invoices will be made within 30 days of receipt of the invoice or, if later, the date by which the payment falls due in accordance with the invoice, which must be submitted promptly by the Supplier. All invoices must be sent, quoting a valid Purchase Order Number (PO Number) and any other relevant details including the minimum required information set out in Section 68(9) of the Procurement Act 2023, to: fsa.payments@food.gov.uk. Within 10 Working Days of receipt of your countersigned copy of this Order Form, we will send you a unique PO Number. You must be in receipt of a valid PO Number before submitting an invoice. To avoid delay in payment it is important that the invoice is compliant and that it includes a valid PO Number, item number (if applicable) and the details (name, email, and telephone number) of your Buyer contact (i.e., Buyer Authorised Representative). Non-compliant invoices may be sent back to you, which may lead to a delay in payment."
        },
        "riskDetails": "As this is an evolving research project risks are spread across the deliverables, including but not limited to, scope, timings, regulatory changes, new scientific ways of working. Delays in obtaining, analysing, or synthesising published material could also impact delivery timelines.",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "value": 1,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "finalStageBids",
                "value": 1,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "smeFinalStageBids",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "vcseFinalStageBids",
                "value": 0,
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ]
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "title": "Bioavailability of Food Supplements",
            "status": "pending",
            "date": "2026-05-14T00:00:00+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 350064,
                "amount": 291720,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PLZJ-9375-CVRJ",
                    "name": "Camrosh Limited"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "73200000",
                            "description": "Research and development consultancy services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "73000000",
                            "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "standstillPeriod": {
                "endDate": "2026-05-26T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2028-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2028-06-30T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "Optional extension of 3 months from 31st March 2028"
            },
            "hasOptions": true,
            "options": {
                "description": "There will be a break clause at 31st March 2027"
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "044315-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK6",
                    "description": "Contract award notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044315-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-05-14T11:52:30+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "assessmentSummariesDateSent": "2026-05-14T00:00:00+01:00",
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2026-05-28T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "2",
            "status": "active",
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PLZJ-9375-CVRJ",
                    "name": "Camrosh Limited"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "73000000",
                            "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "79315000",
                            "description": "Social research services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "71900000",
                            "description": "Laboratory services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "2",
            "awardID": "2",
            "title": "Bioavailability of Food Supplements",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2026-06-05T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2028-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2028-06-30T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "The Buyer may extend the Contract for a period of up to 3 Months by giving not less than 10 Working Days' notice in writing to the Supplier prior to the Expiry Date. The Conditions of the Contract shall apply throughout any such extended period."
            },
            "hasOptions": true,
            "options": {
                "description": "break clause effective on 31 March 2027."
            },
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 350064,
                "amount": 291720,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "dateSigned": "2026-06-04T00:00:00+01:00",
            "agreedMetrics": [
                {
                    "id": "0473",
                    "title": "Deliverables",
                    "description": "The Supplier shall deliver all contractual deliverables in accordance with the agreed specification, timeline, and quality standards set out in the Contract. Performance will be measured based on: Timeliness: Deliverables submitted in line with agreed milestones and deadlines Quality: Deliverables meeting the required standards and accepted by the Authority with minimal revisions Completeness: Deliverables fully addressing the requirements set out in the specification Performance will be assessed at each milestone and/or reporting point. Failure to meet agreed standards or timelines may result in remedial action, performance management measures, or application of contractual remedies.",
                    "observations": [
                        {
                            "id": "frequency",
                            "period": {
                                "durationInMonths": 1
                            }
                        }
                    ]
                }
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "053078-2026",
                    "documentType": "contractNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK7",
                    "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053078-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-06-04T18:01:08+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}