This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Jul 2026 at 19:17

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is currently in the planning stage for the upcoming research project titled "Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut". This tender, which falls under the industry category of research and development services, aims to address a significant public health concern by studying the effects of probiotics on reducing Campylobacter colonisation in broiler chickens. The project will be conducted in York, United Kingdom, with a tender period deadline set for 13th October 2026 and an enquiry period ending on 30th September 2026. The procurement is open under the open procedure method, and interested parties should prepare to submit their tenders via the health-family e-Commercial System by the specified deadline.

This contract offers substantial opportunities for growth to businesses specialising in research services, veterinary services, or those possessing expertise in experimental development and innovation within the agricultural sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly well-suited to participate due to the inclusive nature of the procurement process. The successful bidder will engage in a 24-month research contract worth up to £600,000, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months. This could provide a platform for businesses to establish credibility in delivering significant scientific studies, thereby opening avenues for further research contracts and collaborations within the public sector and beyond.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut

Notice Description

A key component of the FSA work is to reduce the burden of foodborne disease in the UK. Campylobacter is the leading bacterial cause of foodborne disease in the UK, with chicken meat being the most common food source of exposure to this pathogen. Campylobacter is widespread in chicken farms, with 60% of UK broilers flocks carrying the pathogen at the point they are slaughtered. Interventions further down the food chain do not reliably eliminate this pathogen. Therefore, reducing Campylobacter colonisation on broiler flocks and contamination on chicken meat is a priority area for the FSA as this will contribute towards reducing human exposure and subsequent reported cases of foodborne disease. A clear evidence gap remains on whether probiotics can consistently affect Campylobacter levels in broilers, across commercial UK farms under routine production conditions, and what magnitude of log reduction is realistically achievable. To address this evidence gap, the FSA are seeking research proposals for an innovative field-trial based study carried out in real-life intensive broiler houses to assess the effectiveness of a range of probiotics on reducing or delaying Campylobacter colonisation in the gut of broiler flocks. The research should be designed to answer the following questions: * "To what extent can commercially available probiotic formulations reduce or delay Campylobacter colonisation in broiler flocks under commercial intensive housed farming conditions, and does this translate into reduced Campylobacter contamination of carcasses at processing?" * "What is the effect of these formulations on welfare and production performance indicators such as mortality, growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and flock health outcomes?" We envisage that the proposed study design will consist of several discrete phases. Given the complexity of controlling Campylobacter in broiler flocks, we would like the inclusion of break clauses at the end of key deliverables to allow sufficient time for the FSA, together with the researcher team, to review the phase findings and determine whether there is sufficient evidence and justification to proceed to the next stage of the project. If not, then the FSA reserves the right to terminate the project.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The contract will be awarded for an initial period of 24 months, commencing on 1 January 2027 and ending on 31 December 2028. The Authority reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend the contract for a further period of up to 12 months, subject to satisfactory supplier performance, continued business need, availability of funding, and any necessary approvals. Given the complexity of controlling Campylobacter in broiler flocks, the contract will also include break clauses linked to key project deliverables. These break points will provide the FSA and the research team with the opportunity to review findings from each phase of the project and determine whether there is sufficient evidence, justification and ongoing value for money to proceed to subsequent stages. The exercise of any extension option and continuation beyond agreed break points will be subject to the outcomes of these reviews.

Renewal: optional 12 month extension option.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d290
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069976-2026
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
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

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73110000 - Research services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

85200000 - Veterinary services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
13 Oct 20263 months to go
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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