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PATH-SAFE Genomic Data Platform - Technical Strand

Food Standards Agency

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

08 Sep 2026 at 13:52

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

08 Sep 2026 at 13:48

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency commissioned the PATH-SAFE Genomic Data Platform – Technical Strand, a scientific research and development service for genomic pathogen surveillance. The 24-month project covers technical, governance and strategy work with relevant government end-user agencies. Its purpose is to build evidence through datasets and appraisal reports, reduce uncertainty about future platform design and operational decisions, and advance the platform towards operational readiness. It also aims to strengthen national capability and resilience in responding to foodborne threats and antimicrobial resistance, while supporting sustained One Health collaboration between the Food Standards Agency, UK Health Security Agency, Animal and Plant Health Agency and partners. Delivery covers the United Kingdom. The requirement is classified as research and development services and related consultancy services.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award to the University of Oxford (Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance). The stated basis was the Procurement Act 2023 direct-award ground for additional or repeat services, relying on continuity, technical compatibility and supplier uniqueness. There was one completed lot, marked as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises. The award date was 7 September 2026. The award value is £967,000 excluding VAT and £1,160,400 including VAT. The contract period runs from 21 September 2026 to 31 March 2029. A standstill period ends on 17 September 2026, with signature scheduled for 18 September 2026. The award is above the relevant threshold and evaluation was based on the direct-award justification rather than a competitive tender.

For suppliers assessing future work with the Food Standards Agency, this award indicates demand for specialist genomic surveillance research tied to foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. A credible competitor would need capability in applied genomic or pathogen science, research and development, and the production of robust datasets, evidence bases and appraisal reports for public-sector decisions. The requirement also favours organisations able to move a complex data platform towards operational readiness, address technical uncertainty and translate research into practical national capability. Experience of governance and strategy work, cross-government or multi-agency collaboration, and One Health programmes would be relevant. Suppliers would also need strong project controls and the capacity to manage scientific and delivery risks involving samples, laboratory capacity, analytical method development and validation, data quality, stakeholder coordination and approvals.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

PATH-SAFE Genomic Data Platform - Technical Strand

Notice Description

This requirement is for a 24-month project to work with relevant government end user agencies to conduct further R&D across three workstreams (technical, governance, and strategy) to address uncertainties identified through the 25/26 work. The project will: * Create a robust evidence base (datasets, appraisal reports, etc) to inform future platform design and operational decisions, reduce technical uncertainty and enable confident, data-driven progression of the platform towards operational deployment. * Realise tangible value from prior investment by advancing the platform to operational readiness, positioning it to strengthen long-term national capability and resilience around response to foodborne threats and antimicrobial resistance. * Deliver strengthened cross-government One Health collaboration, evidenced through established, sustained ways of working across FSA, UKHSA, APHA and partners, enabling more coordinated and effective foodborne pathogen surveillance.

Procurement Information

* STAs are justified under Schedule 5 (direct award grounds) of the Procurement Act 2023, specifically "additional or repeat goods, services or works", where continuity, technical compatibility, and supplier uniqueness are required.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f48b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084902-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£967,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
21 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

University of Oxford (Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance)

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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