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CEFAS26-120 Statutory shellfish E.coli monitoring service for Shetland and Orkney

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

01 Oct 2026 at 14:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is preparing an integrated service for Food Standards Scotland’s statutory monitoring of E. coli contamination in live shellfish. The supplier will coordinate transport and sample management from shellfish harvesting areas in Shetland and Orkney, then analyse samples and report results. Collection itself will be arranged separately, so the supplier must coordinate closely with sampling contractors and approved industry collectors. The work covers existing classified production areas and new areas seeking classification; its geographical scope could extend to other parts of Scotland. The service supports official controls and classification of shellfish harvesting areas. Analysis must use one of the approved UK National Reference Laboratory methods for E. coli enumeration in bivalve molluscan shellfish.

This is at the planning and market-engagement stage: Cefas is testing the proposed service model, not inviting tenders or committing to procure. It expects to publish a future procurement notice around 30 October 2026. Two online supplier sessions are planned for 15 October 2026 at 15:00 and 19 October 2026 at 10:00; registration is required at least two days beforehand. The indicative workload is about 52 samples a month, or 624 a year, subject to change. The estimated value is £600,000 excluding VAT (£720,000 including VAT). The anticipated contract runs for one year, with two possible extensions of 36 months and then 24 months, subject to agreement with Food Standards Scotland. The buyer anticipates a single lot and fixed unit charges for reported results and transport from each island group.

This will suit laboratories able to combine accredited shellfish testing with dependable island transport, sample tracking, data reporting and operational coordination. Suppliers will need designation as an official laboratory by Food Standards Scotland, or the ability to obtain it during mobilisation, and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for the relevant shellfish matrix and chosen analytical method. The work also calls for an appropriately appointed Food Examiner, trained and authorised analytical staff, validated methods, effective quality assurance and satisfactory proficiency-testing performance. Suppliers should be able to manage routine volumes while maintaining resilience and contingency arrangements for disruption or additional demand. Cefas anticipates a two-month transition, with the service fully operational from 1 April 2027. Delivery is expected without subcontracting, except for sample transport. The buyer has indicated the procurement may suit SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CEFAS26-120 Statutory shellfish E.coli monitoring service for Shetland and Orkney

Notice Description

Purpose of this engagement: Cefas is undertaking market engagement to inform a future procurement for delivery of statutory microbiological monitoring services on behalf of Food Standards Scotland (FSS). This notice is not a call for competition or a commitment to procure. Its purpose is to help potential suppliers understand the anticipated requirement, test the deliverability of the proposed service model and provide an opportunity to raise technical, logistical, commercial and implementation questions before any formal procurement is launched. Background: FSS operates an official control programme to monitor faecal contamination in live bivalve molluscs and support the classification of shellfish harvesting areas, for which Cefas coordinates aspects of programme delivery. The anticipated contract will principally cover existing classified production areas and new areas seeking classification in Shetland and Orkney. Current planning assumptions indicate approximately 52 shellfish samples per month, or 624 per year, but volumes and locations may change in response to regulatory requirements, classification decisions, incidents, seasonal activity or changes in the monitoring plan. The geographical scope of the work may be expanded to other Scottish areas. Market feedback sought: Cefas will hold two online market-engagement sessions for potential applicants. During each session, Cefas will provide an overview of the service, including the logistics, sample-management, analytical and reporting requirements, and will respond to comments and questions raised by suppliers. The sessions are intended to help suppliers understand the proposed requirement and identify any practical issues, risks or points requiring clarification before a formal procurement is launched. The sessions will also provide Cefas with an opportunity to review any potential changes required to the scope of the work or intended contractual details. The sessions will take place on 15/10/26 at 15:00 and 19/10/26 at 10:00 via MS Teams. Interested organisations should register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cefas-market-engagement-statutory-shellfish-ecoli-monitoring-service-tickets-2002621752571 no later than 2 days prior to the events. Organisations may submit questions in advance to procure@cefas.gov.uk Participation in either session will not confer any advantage in a subsequent procurement, and non-participation will not prevent an organisation from taking part in any future competition. A summary of the questions and responses will be made available as part of the procurement process. Details of service required: The requirement is for an integrated end-to-end service including laboratory analysis, as well as coordinating the logistics needed to move samples from remote island locations to its laboratory in a condition and timeframe suitable for official control testing. Sample collection itself will be undertaken under separate arrangements, but the supplier must work closely with sampling contractors and any FSS-approved industry collectors. * Logistics and sample management: establish reliable delivery arrangements from Shetland and Orkney; pay transport costs; provide and replenish approved packing and transport equipment; coordinate with sample collectors; monitor weekly schedules; support correct packaging and documentation; receive samples Monday to Friday, including early or late deliveries where necessary; and maintain contingency arrangements for disruption. Samples must reach the laboratory in time for analysis to begin within 48 hours of collection and sample temperature must remain within 1-10degC before start of analysis. * Laboratory analysis: receive, identify, assess and log samples; check submission information and resolve discrepancies; reject unsuitable samples in accordance with agreed criteria; analyse all programme samples using one approved UK National Reference Laboratory method for enumeration of Escherichia coli in bivalve molluscan shellfish--either the 5-tube, 4-dilution MPN method derived from ISO 16649-3 or the colony count method based on ISO 16649-2; and meet the required turnaround times. * Reporting and coordination: upload results, rejections and associated information to the FSS Shellfish Monitoring & Classification system (Shellfish Monitoring and Classification Scotland - Dashboard using agreed templates; support urgent follow-up and resampling; provide monthly and quarterly performance information; maintain records and audit trails; and work with Cefas, FSS and sample collectors to resolve operational issues and improve delivery. Indicative supplier requirements: * Designation, or the ability to obtain designation during mobilisation, as an official laboratory by FSS. * ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for the relevant shellfish matrix and selected analytical method, maintained throughout delivery, with satisfactory method validation, quality assurance and proficiency-testing performance. * Access to an appropriately appointed Food Examiner, supported by trained, competent and authorised analytical staff who are free from conflict. * Sufficient routine capacity, operational resilience and contingency provision to maintain the service and respond to incidents or temporary additional demand. * Ability to mobilise logistics, laboratory, data-reporting and governance arrangements during an anticipated two-month transition period and to be fully operational from 1 April 2027. * Ability to deliver the requirement without subcontracting (other than for sample transport logistics). Indicative pricing requirements: * A fixed unit charge per results reported * A fixed unit charge per sample transported from Shetland * A fixed unit charge per sample transported from Orkney Invoicing will be monthly in arrears. Indicative contract duration: One year with the option to extend for a further 2 periods of 1x 36 months and then 1x 24 months (subject to agreement with FSS).

Planning Information

Cefas will hold two online market-engagement sessions for potential applicants. The sessions will take place on 15/10/26 at 15:00 and 19/10/26 at 10:00 via MS Teams. Interested organisations should register on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cefas-market-engagement-statutory-shellfish-ecoli-monitoring-service-tickets-2002621752571 no later than 2 days prior to the events. Organisations may submit questions in advance to procure@cefas.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077eca
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/092917-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

38341500 - Contamination-monitoring devices

71620000 - Analysis services

71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services

71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Oct 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Oct 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LOWESTOFT
Postcode
NR33 0HT
Postcode Area
Norwich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH63 East Suffolk
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
East Suffolk
Electoral Ward
Kirkley & Pakefield
Westminster Constituency
Lowestoft

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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