Planning

Effectiveness of interventions taken by UK slaughterhouses and meat cutting plants in response to unsatisfactory process hygiene criteria (PHC) results

FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

07 May 2026 at 11:18

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency, a central government public authority, is planning a procurement process titled "Effectiveness of interventions taken by UK slaughterhouses and meat cutting plants in response to unsatisfactory process hygiene criteria (PHC) results". This procurement falls under the Research and development services and related consultancy services category, market research services, and social research services. Located in York, United Kingdom, the procurement is currently in the planning stage with an open procedure. Key deadlines include the enquiry period ending on 23rd June 2026, and the tender submission deadline on 7th July 2026. The project is valued at £100,000 with a gross amount of £120,000, and involves an open competition below the threshold. This initiative aims to enhance regulatory compliance by assessing the effectiveness of corrective actions following unsatisfactory PHC results in meat processing establishments.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses specialising in qualitative research, critical literature review, and those with expertise in slaughterhouse hygiene processes and microbiological criteria. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, as the project supports their participation. The contract period spans from 1st September 2026 to 28th February 2028, with potential renewals. Businesses offering consultancy services in this field can leverage this opportunity to expand their portfolio and contribute to enhancing food safety compliance across the UK meat industry.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Effectiveness of interventions taken by UK slaughterhouses and meat cutting plants in response to unsatisfactory process hygiene criteria (PHC) results

Notice Description

Regulation (EC) 2073/2005 on the microbiological criteria of foodstuffs sets rules for sampling frequencies for process hygiene criteria (PHC) in slaughterhouses and cutting plants. The regulation grants sampling exemptions for small meat processing establishments; however, it is poorly understood how these exemption may affect risk to consumers. The FSA therefore is proposing to commission a project to assess the effectiveness of corrective actions typically taken by meat processing establishments following unsatisfactory PHC findings. This knowledge will be used to inform the risk to consumers from PHC sampling exemptions for small meat processing establishments, and support the FSA in improving regulatory compliance. This project will consist of two phases: 1) semi-structured qualitative interviews of slaughterhouse and cutting plant stakeholders to determine which actions are taken by meat processing establishments in response to unsatisfactory PHC results; followed by 2) a critical literature review of the effectiveness of interventions identified in Phase 1 in correcting unsatisfactory PHC results. The final output of the project will be a technical report consisting of findings from Phases 1 and 2, for publication with the FSA. Tenderers should have expertise designing and conducting qualitative questionnaires and interviews, and experience conducting critical literature reviews. Experience of slaughterhouse and meat cutting plant hygiene processes and microbiological process hygiene criteria is highly desirable.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend procurement timelines by up to 4 weeks to account for any unforeseen delays.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069334
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041855-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79310000 - Market research services

79315000 - Social research services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
7 Jul 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 28 Feb 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
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

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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