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Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut

Food Standards Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Jul 2026 at 20:17

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency plans to commission research and experimental development services, including laboratory and veterinary research, to assess how commercially available probiotics affect Campylobacter colonisation in broiler flocks. The study is intended to address an evidence gap under routine commercial intensive-farming conditions in the UK. It will use field trials in real broiler houses to examine whether probiotics reduce or delay colonisation and contamination of carcasses at processing. The research must also assess effects on bird welfare and production performance, including mortality, growth rate, feed-conversion efficiency and flock-health outcomes. The work is expected to be delivered by a research team able to operate across commercial poultry farms, processing environments and relevant laboratory settings.

This is a planned procurement: the FSA has set out its intention to use an open procedure, with the next notice expected on 1 September 2026. The indicative enquiry period ends on 30 September 2026, tender submissions are expected by 13 October 2026 at noon, and the award decision is expected by 16 November 2026. The estimated value is £500,000 excluding VAT, or £600,000 including VAT. The intended contract runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028, with an optional extension of up to 12 months, potentially ending on 31 December 2029. There is one planned lot. Evaluation is weighted 80% technical quality and 20% commercial value for money.

The work is suited to research organisations, universities, laboratories, veterinary science providers and specialist agricultural or poultry-sector partnerships, including SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises. Strong candidates will need capability in designing and delivering phased field trials in commercial broiler houses, microbiological or laboratory analysis, probiotic assessment, poultry health and welfare, and interpretation of production data. The FSA is looking for a robust, credible and deliverable methodology, relevant experience, effective project management, risk management, appropriate resources and the ability to achieve defined scientific outcomes and deliverables. Preparation should cover farm and animal access, biosecurity, sampling, analytical methods, data quality, governance and management of break points between project phases.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

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.

Notice Details

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 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2026Expired
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

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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