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

Food Standards Agency

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

16 Sep 2026 at 11:16

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Tender

18 May 2026 at 08:19

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency commissioned a research and consultancy study into how effectively red-meat and poultry slaughterhouses, cutting plants and processing facilities respond to unsatisfactory process hygiene criteria results. The work covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is intended to inform a handbook of corrective actions following process hygiene failures. It is a public-sector research service, including social and market research elements (CPV 73000000, 79315000 and 79310000). The FSA is the buying organisation. The University of Lincoln was selected to carry out the study. The requirement concerns evidence gathering and assessment of interventions used in operational slaughterhouse and meat-processing environments, rather than construction, equipment supply or routine inspection services.

This procurement is complete and has been awarded following a below-threshold open competition. It had one lot, with tenders due by 29 June 2026 and enquiries closing on 1 June 2026. Evaluation allocated 80% to technical quality and 20% to commercial factors. The University of Lincoln received the award, and the contract was signed on 1 September 2026. The awarded contract value is £121,636.71 excluding VAT (£145,964.05 including VAT). The contract runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2028, with an optional extension of up to six months to 30 September 2028. It has a Phase 1 break clause, and progression to Phase 2 depends on review and approval of Phase 1 outputs.

This requirement shows demand for applied food-safety research that can assess the effectiveness of corrective interventions in slaughterhouses, cutting plants and processing facilities. Suppliers well placed for comparable work would combine research design, evidence collection and analytical capability with practical knowledge of process hygiene criteria, red-meat and poultry operations, and regulatory or assurance environments. Credible teams would need to translate findings into clear, usable corrective-action guidance for operators and stakeholders, supported by robust technical methodology rather than price alone. Experience working across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, understanding differences between plant types, and engaging effectively with industry and food-safety professionals would strengthen future propositions. The opportunity was identified as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

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

Notice Description

Development of handbook of corrective actions in the event of process hygiene failure in slaughterhouses - The FSA would like to commission a study to assess the effectiveness of interventions typically carried out by red meat and poultry slaughterhouses and cutting/processing plants within England, Wales and Northern Ireland following unsatisfactory PHC findings.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: 18 months, with a break clause at conclusion of Phase 1. (September 2026 to March 2028). This project will consist of two phases. Progression to Phase 2 will not be automatic and will be subject to review and approval of Phase 1 outputs, and confirmation that Phase 2 remains within scope. It is expected that both Phase 1 and Phase 2 will be completed within 18 months. The Contract will contain an optional 6-month extension.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069aa3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087667-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

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

73110000 - Research 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
£121,636 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
29 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
Postcode Area
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

University of Lincoln

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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