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EU harmonised surveillance of AMR E. coli and Salmonella found in beef and pork

Food Standards Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Aug 2026 at 15:40

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency is procuring sampling services for a UK-wide surveillance survey of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli and Salmonella in fresh beef and pork sold at retail. The work covers survey design, collecting samples from retail outlets and transporting them to an appointed testing laboratory. It forms part of a wider food-safety research programme examining the presence and distribution of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in the food chain. The sampling supplier will support the separate laboratory-testing procurement by coordinating sample deliveries and sharing sampling information, metadata and supporting documents. Delivery will take place across the United Kingdom, with the supplier working collaboratively with the Food Standards Agency and the testing provider.

The procurement has reached tender: the Food Standards Agency invited offers through a below-threshold open competition, with electronic submissions permitted via the Atamis health-family e-Commercial System. Questions had to be submitted by 20 August 2026 at 12:00, and tenders by 1 September 2026 at 12:00. The single lot is valued at £40,000 excluding VAT (£48,000 including VAT). The contract period is 1 October 2026 to 29 February 2028, with an optional extension of up to three months, to 31 May 2028. Sampling is planned for January to December 2027. Evaluation is weighted 80% technical quality and 20% commercial cost; participation requirements are set out in the PSQ.

This opportunity suits organisations experienced in food-sampling operations, microbiological surveillance or applied food-safety research, particularly those able to design a compliant sampling approach for retail meat. Suppliers must be familiar with Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1729 and the associated technical specifications for randomised antimicrobial-resistance monitoring. Practical capability is needed to organise sampling schedules, collect and transport samples reliably, maintain accurate sampling data and metadata, and provide supporting records. The successful provider must coordinate closely with a separately appointed testing laboratory, sharing samples and information, resolving operational problems and attending joint meetings with the Food Standards Agency when required. The requirement is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

EU harmonised surveillance of AMR E. coli and Salmonella found in beef and pork

Notice Description

The objective of microbiological food safety research themes is to provide robust information on the presence, growth, survival, and elimination of pathogenic microorganisms throughout the food chain; the extent, distribution, causes, risks and burden of foodborne disease will also be considered where appropriate. The reduction of foodborne disease has been one of FSA's key objectives in ensuring food safety. The reduction of foodborne disease is a continuing priority, ensuring that food produced and sold in the UK is safe to eat. We are taking a targeted approach to the control and reduction of individual pathogens, with the aim of reducing the overall burden of foodborne disease in the UK. The FSA are inviting tenders to carry out a survey of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) E. coli found in fresh beef and pork meat on retail sale in the UK in 2027, in accordance with the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1729 and Technical specifications on a randomisation of sampling for the purpose of antimicrobial resistance monitoring from food-producing animals and food as from 2021. The applicant(s) must be familiar with both the Commission's Decision and technical specifications to ensure the survey is totally compliant with their specific requirements. The survey will be awarded in two procurements: 1. Sampling (This procurement): Survey design, sample collection at retail and transportation to the testing laboratory 2. Testing (Tendered separately): Microbiological testing, data analysis, reporting and archiving of recovered bacteria and their AMR profile. By submitting an application, tenders will be bidding to complete the work required for sampling. Suppliers should note that sampling is operationally dependent upon laboratory testing. The successful sampling supplier will be required to work collaboratively and proactively with the supplier appointed to testing throughout the contract duration. This will include, but not be limited to: * Agreeing sampling schedules and delivery arrangements. * Coordinating the transfer of samples to the testing laboratory. * Sharing sampling data, metadata and supporting documentation. * Resolving logistical and operational issues to prevent delays to testing activities. * Participating in joint meetings with the FSA and testing laboratory where required. The successful sampling supplier will be expected to cooperate fully with the testing laboratory to ensure successful delivery of the overall surveillance programme.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Description of Extensions October 2026 - February 2028. Sampling to be delivered January-December 2027, with an optional extension of up to 3 months.

Renewal: Description of Extensions October 2026 - February 2028. Sampling to be delivered January-December 2027, with an optional extension of up to 3 months.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e2e9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076909-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
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

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73110000 - Research services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

79310000 - Market research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£40,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£40,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
1 Sep 20265 days to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 29 Feb 2028 1-2 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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