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Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut

Food Standards Agency

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

19 Oct 2026 at 12:32

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

23 Jul 2026 at 20:17

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency is seeking research services to test whether commercially available probiotics can reduce or delay Campylobacter colonisation in broiler chickens raised in intensive commercial conditions. The field-trial study should assess whether any reduction in the birds’ gut translates into less contamination of carcasses at processing, and examine effects on animal welfare and production, including mortality, growth, feed conversion and flock health. The work is intended to address an evidence gap and support efforts to reduce foodborne illness linked to chicken. The research is expected to proceed in distinct phases, with findings informing whether later phases should go ahead. The requirement combines poultry-farm trials with relevant laboratory and research work.

The buyer invited tenders through an open procedure. The deadline for questions was 11 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC, and tenders were due by 30 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The planned contract runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029, with an optional extension of up to 12 months, to 31 March 2030. The estimated value is £500,000 excluding VAT (£600,000 including VAT). There is one lot. Evaluation gives technical quality 80% and commercial value for money 20%; technical assessment covers the proposed methodology, capability, experience, management, risks, resources and deliverability. Applicants must meet the standard supplier questionnaire and technical requirements set out in the specification. Key deliverables have break points for review before further phases proceed.

This opportunity suits research organisations and consortia able to design and deliver robust field trials in intensive broiler production, working with commercially available probiotic formulations under routine farm conditions. Suppliers need the scientific and technical capability to measure Campylobacter colonisation and carcass contamination, alongside welfare and production outcomes such as mortality, growth, feed conversion and flock health. Strong bids will show relevant research experience, credible methods, capable project management, appropriate resources and a practical approach to risk, including farm access, biosecurity, sampling, laboratory capacity and data quality. The phased design favours teams that can produce decision-quality findings at each stage and adapt the work in response to evidence. The Agency considers the requirement suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

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 April 2027 and ending on 31 March 2029. 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/098446-2026
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

15 - Food, beverages, tobacco and related products

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

15112130 - Chickens

15131500 - Poultry products

71900000 - Laboratory services

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73110000 - Research services

73210000 - Research consultancy services

77500000 - Animal husbandry 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
19 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
30 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
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
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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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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