--- title: "Research project to develop and pilot approaches to surveillance for antibiotic resistance in companion animals and equines in the UK" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS" published: "2024-03-18" --- # Research project to develop and pilot approaches to surveillance for antibiotic resistance in companion animals and equines in the UK Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2.json) ## Summary The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs is planning a research project to develop and pilot approaches to surveillance for antibiotic resistance in companion animals and equines in the UK. The project aims to inform representative UK-wide surveillance of antibiotic resistance in these populations and is currently in the planning stage. Key milestones include the engagement end date set for March 1, 2024. Potential bidders can expect the Invitation to Tender (ITT) to go live week commencing 25 March 2024. This tender offers opportunities for businesses in the services sector, especially those involved in research and development. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations are well-suited to compete. The project is intended to address the urgent public health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and help achieve the UK's goals outlined in the AMR National Action Plan (2024-2029). The contracting authority is considering procuring this requirement in two lots: Lot 1 for cats and dogs and Lot 2 for horses, with the possibility for collaborative applications across lots to explore synergies. ## Notice This PIN is to highlight that the Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) wishes to undertake research to develop and pilot different approaches to surveillance for antibiotic resistance in companion animals and equines in the UK. The aim of the project will inform representative UK-wide surveillance of antibiotic resistance in commensal bacteria carried by companion animal and equine populations (to include dogs, cats, and horses). The Authority anticipates the Invitation to Tender (ITT) going live week commencing 25 March 2024. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global public health threats. While it refers to the ability of any microbe to resist pharmaceutical treatment, this call focuses on antibiotic resistance in bacteria, specifically. Surveillance is essential to detect emerging AMR issues, monitor trends, and identify and assess the impact of interventions. In the UK, AMR surveillance is well established in livestock sectors, with programmes for both representative surveillance in healthy animals entering the food chain, and clinical surveillance conducted on-farm, in place. However, despite the close proximity between companion animals and equines with their owners and handlers, and the potential for AMR transmission between them, AMR surveillance in these sectors is limited. Monitoring AMR in healthy dogs, cats, and horses is less straightforward than in farmed animals entering the food chain. Different AMR surveillance approaches need to be trialled for the companion animal and equine sectors. The VMD is launching this call for interest to undertake research to explore such approaches. The data collected from this work will provide evidence of AMR within the companion animal and equine sectors in the UK, as well as improving our understanding of AMR transmission and identifying emerging issues. Crucially, this research will inform development of AMR surveillance in these species, and ultimately help achieve the UK's ambitions in the next AMR National Action Plan (2024-2029). Recognising the significant differences between companion animals and equines, the Authority is considering procuring this requirement in two lots: Lot 1 (cats and dogs) and Lot 2 (horses), with applicants able to apply for lots either separately or together. It is intended that applications for each lot would comprise a single research project, although we will also consider applications for Lot 1 proposing two separate projects, one for each species, provided that synergies and efficiencies between the projects are clearly demonstrated. It is recognised that the complexity of this project may make it suitable for an early-stage researcher or PhD programme. If you would have any questions on this PIN or would like to register interest, please contact Emily.Hayes@defra.gov.uk. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6d0640b6-deb6-4586-8bfb-5eace590436b | | Notice type | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 18 Mar 2024 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Mar 2024 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW1P 4DF | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London | | Local authority | Westminster | | Electoral ward | St James's | | Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development ## Release History - 18 Mar 2024 at 16:37 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6d0640b6-deb6-4586-8bfb-5eace590436b - 20 Feb 2024 at 17:01 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/30d3886a-e6d1-4a0a-bf21-cc4f48928a63 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6d0640b6-deb6-4586-8bfb-5eace590436b 18th March 2024 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/30d3886a-e6d1-4a0a-bf21-cc4f48928a63 20th February 2024 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-99bcf854-9cf7-4590-89a6-6cd980512cf2.json.