---
title: "Linking phenotypes to WGS from foodborne bacterial pathogens"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06ed39"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06ed39"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ed39.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ed39.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Food Standards Agency"
published: "2026-08-27"
---

# Linking phenotypes to WGS from foodborne bacterial pathogens

Buyer: Food Standards Agency  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06ed39

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## Summary

The Food Standards Agency commissioned a three-year scientific research project linking phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing results with whole-genome sequencing data from foodborne bacterial pathogens. The work involves testing a subset of foodborne bacterial isolates that are undergoing whole-genome sequencing, with the aim of linking laboratory phenotype information to genomic data. It is a research and development service, including related consultancy, rather than a supply of goods or construction work. Delivery covers the United Kingdom. The requirement is relevant to organisations with expertise in foodborne pathogen surveillance, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, laboratory research and analysis of bacterial isolates. The procurement was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises, although the selected provider is a large organisation.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded through a direct award, using a Single Tender Action under the Procurement Act 2023. UKHSA was selected because the Food Standards Agency determined that the services could be supplied only by that provider for technical and exclusive reasons, with no competition available. The award was recorded on 27 August 2026. The awarded value is £299,986.59 excluding tax, or £359,983.91 including tax. The contract period runs from 14 September 2026 to 31 March 2029. The award is above the relevant threshold. One lot covered the complete requirement. The award includes options in the form of break clauses at the end of each project phase, and a contract signature milestone was scheduled for 10 September 2026.

This procurement demonstrates demand from the Food Standards Agency for integrated food microbiology and genomic research, particularly work that connects antimicrobial susceptibility testing with whole-genome sequencing of foodborne bacterial isolates. A credible future supplier would need established laboratory capability, suitable capacity for handling representative samples, and experience designing and delivering scientific testing programmes. Technical strength in analytical method development, validation, data quality assurance and interpretation would be important, alongside the ability to manage sequencing and phenotypic results as a linked evidence base. Suppliers should also be able to maintain continuity when sample quality or availability changes, manage equipment and stakeholder dependencies, and control risks affecting delivery, scope, approvals, budget and research outcomes. The requirement is suitable in principle for SMEs and mission-led organisations with these specialist capabilities.

## Notice

This requirement is a three-year research project of phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) on a subset of foodborne bacterial isolates undergoing WGS.

### Procurement Information

The requirement meets the criteria for a Single Tender Action (Direct Award) under the Act, as the services can be supplied only by a particular supplier (UKHSA) due to the absence of competition for technical and exclusive reasons.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081615-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 27 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 14 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £299,986 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Food Standards Agency |
| Locality | YORK |
| Postcode area | 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 | UKHSA |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

## Release History

- 27 Aug 2026 at 09:47 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081615-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081615-2026
  27th August 2026 - Transparency 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-06ed39. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ed39.json.