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Determination of levels of PFAS in (+ migrating from) Food Contact Materials FCM

Food Standards Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

21 Sep 2026 at 16:43

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Food Standards Agency is commissioning research and laboratory services to determine levels of PFAS in food contact materials, including food packaging, and to measure migration into food. The work will develop analytical capability and produce data suitable for risk assessment, helping identify contamination sources, close evidence gaps, assess risks to human health and support future regulatory and policy decisions. The scope includes research, sampling, analytical method development and validation, laboratory testing, data generation and interpretation. Delivery is for the Food Standards Agency, with activities focused on food contact materials and their interaction with food. The procurement is categorised as research and development, research laboratory and laboratory services.

The procurement has reached tender: the Food Standards Agency invited offers through an open procedure, with tenders submitted electronically through Atamis. The enquiry deadline is 5 October 2026 at 12:00 and the tender submission deadline is 19 October 2026 at 12:00. The award decision is due by 18 November 2026. There is one lot, estimated at £270,000 excluding VAT and £324,000 including VAT. The initial contract period runs from 4 January 2027 to 31 March 2029, with an option to extend by up to 12 months, to 31 March 2030. Evaluation is weighted 80% technical, including social value, and 20% commercial. Technical assessment covers capability, methodology, experience, resources and delivery approach.

This opportunity suits research organisations, analytical laboratories and specialist consultancies able to investigate PFAS in food contact materials and assess migration into food. Suppliers need relevant technical and professional experience, suitably qualified personnel, appropriate laboratory facilities, analytical equipment and the capacity to deliver the research and laboratory activities across the contract period. Strong candidates will be able to develop, validate and apply analytical methods, obtain and manage representative food contact material samples, address sample-quality and availability issues, and produce reliable, risk-assessment-ready data. The work also requires robust project and laboratory management, including quality assurance, data integrity, stakeholder coordination, risk monitoring and mitigation. The procurement is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, subject to meeting the legal, financial and technical participation requirements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Determination of levels of PFAS in (+ migrating from) Food Contact Materials FCM

Notice Description

This research project aims to develop analytical capabilities for measuring PFAS and to generate risk-assessment-ready data on PFAS occurrence in food packaging and other FCMs and their migration into food, enabling a better understanding of the extent to which these materials may contribute to PFAS detected in food relative to other sources of contamination. This information will help to reduce some of the current data gaps in the evidence base. This will therefore enable a more accurate assessment of the risk to human health as well as identify any issues to take through the FSA's risk analysis process and support future policy requirements/decision making.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The Authority may exercise an option to extend the contract for a period of up to 12 months beyond the initial contract term. Any extension will be on the same terms and conditions as the original contract unless otherwise agreed in accordance with the contract provisions.

Renewal: The contract will have an initial term of approximately 26 months, commencing in January 2027 and ending in March 2029. The Authority reserves the right to extend the contract by up to an additional 12 months at its sole discretion, subject to satisfactory performance, continued business need, and the availability of funding.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0776d5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089336-2026
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

73110000 - Research services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£270,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£270,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
19 Oct 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 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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