Planning

Meta-analysis of the variability of hemp (Cannabis sativa)

FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

09 Jun 2026 at 14:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process focused on conducting a meta-analysis of compositional variation in hemp (Cannabis sativa). This process is part of the FSA’s objectives to protect consumer interests within the food safety domain. The central government agency, located in York, United Kingdom, is seeking market engagement by 7 July 2026. The procurement process, described as a "literature review and meta-analysis," is aimed at refining future competitive procurement and is being conducted through a services procurement method with an expected contract start date of 1 October 2026, lasting until at least 31 January 2027.

This procurement presents growth opportunities for businesses specialised in research and development consultancy, market research, and social research services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are especially encouraged to engage, reflecting the suitability criteria of the procurement. Businesses with expertise in safety data analysis of food products, herbaria, and biological composition would be well-suited for this opportunity, aligning their capabilities with the FSA’s initiative to use early market input to inform potential procurement related to food safety and consumer protection.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Meta-analysis of the variability of hemp (Cannabis sativa)

Notice Description

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is seeking early market input to inform a potential future procurement relating to the analysis of variation in the composition of hemp (Cannabis sativa). This work forms part of the FSA Novel Foods Programme and would contribute evidence to protect consumers from unacceptable risks associated with food consumption and to safeguards their interests in relation to food. This is not a call for competition. The purpose is to: * Test feasibility * Understand market capability * Inform potential future procurement design * Details provided are subject to change. Premarket engagement for Additional Analytical Methods for NDNS Biomonitoring. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is seeking early market input to inform a potential future procurement relating to the development of analytical methods to support biomonitoring of food additives and chemical contaminants. This work forms part of the FSA Chemical Hazards Programme and aims to improve understanding of UK consumer exposure through novel biomonitoring approaches. 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

Planning Information

The FSA is seeking a literature review and meta-analysis of compositional variation in Cannabis sativa (hemp). The FSA is seeking a supplier to deliver a literature review and additional meta-analysis to provide a baseline understanding of compositional variation in Cannabis sativa (hemp), and whether variation is meaningful for safety within the wider natural variation. This will support interpretation of compositional data from CBD novel food applications and contribute directly to the FSA’s strategic priority of risk analysis informed by evidence to protect consumers from unacceptable risks associated with food consumption and to safeguard their interests in relation to food. 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-06b10c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054381-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
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

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

79310000 - Market research services

79315000 - Social research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Jun 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Jul 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 31 Jan 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
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)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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