Award

Determination of background levels of PFAS in a variety of foods

FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

01 May 2026 at 07:41

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

29 Apr 2026 at 13:01

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recently completed a direct procurement, culminating in the award of a contract to Fera Science Ltd for a research project titled "Determination of background levels of PFAS in a variety of foods". This initiative aims to advance the FSA’s understanding regarding the concentration of PFAS in various food products within the United Kingdom, including those locally grown or reared. The procurement belongs to the services category of the industry and was carried out through a direct award process, justified under the Procurement Act 2023 due to it being an extension of existing work. Key activities are slated to commence on 1st June 2026 and are expected to conclude by 31st March 2028, with a possible extension of up to 12 months. Located in York, this contract involves a substantial financial commitment of £200,000 (exclusive of VAT) with a gross value reported at £240,000.

This research project not only contributes to significant data enrichment in public health sectors but also propels potential growth opportunities for large-scale research and consultancy service providers like Fera Science Ltd. Businesses operating at the intersection of food safety, environmental sciences, and public health research are particularly well-suited to engage with opportunities of this nature. Engaging in such contracts can enhance credibility, expand the client base within public sectors, and foster innovation through applied research methodologies. With an evolving scope and risk landscape, businesses capable of adapting to regulatory changes and new scientific methods are ideally positioned to benefit from participating in similar future tenders.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Determination of background levels of PFAS in a variety of foods

Notice Description

This research project aims to increase the Food Standards Agency's understanding about the concentration levels of PFAS in food products consumed in the UK and includes those grown or reared in the UK. The data will help to reduce some of the current data gaps in the evidence base. This will therefore enable a more accurate assessment of the risk to human health as well as identify any issues to take through the FSA's risk analysis process and support future policy requirements/decision making.

Procurement Information

Under the Procurement Act 2023, an STA is permitted based on "Additional or repeat goods, services or works - Sch. 5 para" The public contract concerns the supply of goods, services or works by the existing supplier which are intended as an extension to, or partial replacement of, existing goods, services or works in circumstances where-- (a)a change in supplier would result in the contracting authority receiving goods, services or works that are different from, or incompatible with, the existing goods, services or works, and (b)the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation or maintenance.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068e0f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040238-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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
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

FERA SCIENCE

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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