Notice Information
Notice Title
Additional Analytical Methods for NDNS Biomonitoring
Notice Description
Tenders are invited to undertake a research project to identify suitable biomarkers of priority (groups of) additives (Lot 1) and contaminants (Lot 2), Metals (Lot 3) and develop and validate analytical chemistry methods for their quantitative measurement in human urine. In addition, an approach for estimating systemic exposure and theoretical dietary intake of each chemical of interest, from measured urinary excretion of the biomarker(s), should be derived. The FSA is requesting that methods and approaches are determined, and proven for feasibility, for substances from the following food additive and other chemical contaminant groups, below or up to the estimated budget of PS100,000 (exc. VAT) Lot 1 and PS50,000 (exc VAT) each for lot 2 and 3. The substance groups have been prioritised in accordance with the FSA's food safety remit and specific priorities. All documents and communication 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
Lot Information
Lot 1: Food Additives
Food Additives (Lot 1) Over 300 food additives are approved for use in food in Great Britain (GB) (not including different forms of the same substance), and these are described in the FSA's list of Approved additives and E numbers | Food Standards Agency. Food additives are ingredients that are added to foods to carry out a particular technological function, but they may only be used in food for which they have been authorised and only up to their maximum permitted level. However, the actual use levels of food additives in foods may be below the maximum permitted levels and, therefore, accurate consumer exposures to additives in foods are not easy to estimate. Additionally, consumers may be exposed to additives through different sources, and other factors, such as dietary preferences and brand loyalty, can often make the estimation of actual exposure challenging.
Renewal: 3 month optional extension
Lot 2 : Chemical ContaminantsChemical Contaminants (Lot 2) Chemical contaminants in food are unintentional and undesirable substances that may pose health risks at certain levels. Some examples of chemical contaminants include mycotoxins, heavy metals (such as lead and mercury), and organic pollutants (like dioxins). Chemical contaminants can enter the food chain from multiple sources, during primary or secondary production. Because of their potential impact on health, regulatory controls exist to limit consumer exposure, and it is essential to manage and reduce their presence in food.
Renewal: 3 month optional extension
Lot 3: MetalsAnalysis of biomarkers able to inform on exposure to the heavy metals, arsenic, cadmium, and lead. If it is technically feasible and cost effective, analysis of other metals that may be relevant to food safety may be proposed in the response to tender, in 400 NDNS Bioresource urine samples. Measurement of urinary creatinine concentration to account for urine dilution and to enable estimation of exposure. Demonstration of an approach to estimating dietary intake of relevant metals from measured concentration of biomarker
Renewal: 3 month optional extension
Planning Information
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is undertaking pre-market engagement to inform a potential future procurement for the development and validation of analytical methods to support biomonitoring of food additives and chemical contaminants. This engagement seeks to: Test the feasibility of identifying and quantifying suitable urinary biomarkers for priority additive and contaminant groups Understand market capability and capacity to deliver analytical method development and validation within the proposed timeframes and budget Gather insight into available methodologies (e.g. LC-MS, GC-MS, ICP-MS) and approaches to biomarker identification, including limitations and innovation opportunities Inform the future procurement strategy, including lot structure, specification design, achievable scope, and value for money considerations Suppliers are invited to provide feedback on the proposed scope, including: Feasibility of delivering the requirements within ~10 months per lot The number and type of substances that could realistically be covered within the indicative budget Approaches to biomarker selection, ADME evaluation, and method validation Any risks, constraints, or dependencies that should be considered The information gathered will be used solely to shape the FSA’s understanding of the market and to refine a potential future competitive procurement. Participation is voluntary, and non-participation will not disadvantage suppliers in any subsequent procurement process. All documents and communication 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
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-06abec
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063325-2026
- Current Stage
- Tender
- All Stages
- Planning, Tender
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK4 - Tender Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Open
- Procurement Method Details
- Open procedure
- Tender Suitability
- SME, VCSE
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
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
73110000 - Research services
73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £200,000 £100K-£500K
- Lots Value
- £200,000 £100K-£500K
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 6 Jul 20262 weeks ago
- Submission Deadline
- 17 Aug 20264 weeks to go
- Future Notice Date
- 30 Jun 2026Expired
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 30 Sep 2026 - 31 Jul 2027 6-12 months
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Active
- Lots Status
- Active
- 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
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063325-2026
6th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052090-2026
2nd June 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
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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