---
title: "Honey authenticity -DNA + SORS methods for the authentication of Chinese honey"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05d418"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d418"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d418.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d418.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY"
published: "2025-10-27"
---

# Honey authenticity -DNA + SORS methods for the authentication of Chinese honey

Buyer: FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05d418

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d418.json)

## Summary

The recent procurement process led by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) centred on the contract titled "Honey authenticity -DNA + SORS methods for the authentication of Chinese honey". This procurement falls within the services industry category, specifically research and development consultancy services, under the classification CPV 73200000. The buying organisation, the Food Standards Agency, operates from York, United Kingdom. The procurement, completed with the award of the contract to Cranfield University, moved through the stages to the award phase on 27th October 2025. The procurement was conducted using a direct method, below the threshold and without competition, which began its implementation from 27th October 2025 and will conclude by 27th March 2026. The total contract value stands at £91,146.31 gross.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for entities engaged in scientific research and consultancy services, particularly those with expertise in DNA analysis, digital PCR, and metabarcoding methodologies. Cranfield University's involvement highlights the benefits for large academic or research institutions looking to partner on governmental projects centred on food standards and authenticity verification. Such contracts can bolster business growth by showcasing an institution's capability in advanced scientific methods and leveraging this credibility to secure further opportunities in related fields. Businesses with a strong background in public sector collaboration can benefit significantly from participating in similar tenders.

## Notice

The FSA required the Supplier to validate and optimize the DNA-based qPCR and SORS methods that were developed in the first feasibility study. This should be done on Chinese honey representative of UK imports and to further investigate the suitability of qPCR, digital PCR and metabarcoding methodologies for honey authenticity purposes.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068512-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 27 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 25 Oct 2025 |
| Contract period | 27 Oct 2025 - 27 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £75,955 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY |
| Locality | YORK |
| Post town | York |
| Postcode | YO1 7PR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE2 North Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE21 York |
| Local authority | York |
| Electoral ward | Guildhall |
| Westminster constituency | York Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

## Release History

- 27 Oct 2025 at 11:57 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068512-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068512-2025
  27th October 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.food.gov.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-h6vhtk-05d418. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d418.json.