--- title: "Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d290" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d290" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d290.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d290.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY" published: "2026-07-23" --- # Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut Buyer: FOOD STANDARDS AGENCY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d290 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d290) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d290.json) ## Summary The procurement process initiated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is currently in the planning stage for the upcoming research project titled "Effect of probiotics on Campylobacter colonisation within the broiler gut". This tender, which falls under the industry category of research and development services, aims to address a significant public health concern by studying the effects of probiotics on reducing Campylobacter colonisation in broiler chickens. The project will be conducted in York, United Kingdom, with a tender period deadline set for 13th October 2026 and an enquiry period ending on 30th September 2026. The procurement is open under the open procedure method, and interested parties should prepare to submit their tenders via the health-family e-Commercial System by the specified deadline. This contract offers substantial opportunities for growth to businesses specialising in research services, veterinary services, or those possessing expertise in experimental development and innovation within the agricultural sector. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly well-suited to participate due to the inclusive nature of the procurement process. The successful bidder will engage in a 24-month research contract worth up to £600,000, with an option to extend for an additional 12 months. This could provide a platform for businesses to establish credibility in delivering significant scientific studies, thereby opening avenues for further research contracts and collaborations within the public sector and beyond. ## Notice A key component of the FSA work is to reduce the burden of foodborne disease in the UK. Campylobacter is the leading bacterial cause of foodborne disease in the UK, with chicken meat being the most common food source of exposure to this pathogen. Campylobacter is widespread in chicken farms, with 60% of UK broilers flocks carrying the pathogen at the point they are slaughtered. Interventions further down the food chain do not reliably eliminate this pathogen. Therefore, reducing Campylobacter colonisation on broiler flocks and contamination on chicken meat is a priority area for the FSA as this will contribute towards reducing human exposure and subsequent reported cases of foodborne disease. A clear evidence gap remains on whether probiotics can consistently affect Campylobacter levels in broilers, across commercial UK farms under routine production conditions, and what magnitude of log reduction is realistically achievable. To address this evidence gap, the FSA are seeking research proposals for an innovative field-trial based study carried out in real-life intensive broiler houses to assess the effectiveness of a range of probiotics on reducing or delaying Campylobacter colonisation in the gut of broiler flocks. The research should be designed to answer the following questions: * "To what extent can commercially available probiotic formulations reduce or delay Campylobacter colonisation in broiler flocks under commercial intensive housed farming conditions, and does this translate into reduced Campylobacter contamination of carcasses at processing?" * "What is the effect of these formulations on welfare and production performance indicators such as mortality, growth rate, feed conversion efficiency and flock health outcomes?" We envisage that the proposed study design will consist of several discrete phases. Given the complexity of controlling Campylobacter in broiler flocks, we would like the inclusion of break clauses at the end of key deliverables to allow sufficient time for the FSA, together with the researcher team, to review the phase findings and determine whether there is sufficient evidence and justification to proceed to the next stage of the project. If not, then the FSA reserves the right to terminate the project. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Options: The contract will be awarded for an initial period of 24 months, commencing on 1 January 2027 and ending on 31 December 2028. The Authority reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend the contract for a further period of up to 12 months, subject to satisfactory supplier performance, continued business need, availability of funding, and any necessary approvals. Given the complexity of controlling Campylobacter in broiler flocks, the contract will also include break clauses linked to key project deliverables. These break points will provide the FSA and the research team with the opportunity to review findings from each phase of the project and determine whether there is sufficient evidence, justification and ongoing value for money to proceed to subsequent stages. The exercise of any extension option and continuation beyond agreed break points will be subject to the outcomes of these reviews. Renewal: optional 12 month extension option. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069976-2026 | | Notice type | UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 13 Oct 2026 | | Future notice date | 1 Sep 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £500,000 | | Lots value | £500,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## 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 | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73100000 - Research and experimental development services - 73110000 - Research services - 73111000 - Research laboratory services - 85200000 - Veterinary services ## Release History - 23 Jul 2026 at 19:17 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069976-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069976-2026 23rd July 2026 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome - 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-06d290. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d290.json.