---
title: "PATH-SAFE Genomic Data Platform - Technical Strand"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06f48b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06f48b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f48b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f48b.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "Food Standards Agency"
published: "2026-09-08"
---

# PATH-SAFE Genomic Data Platform - Technical Strand

Buyer: Food Standards Agency  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06f48b

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## Summary

The Food Standards Agency commissioned the PATH-SAFE Genomic Data Platform – Technical Strand, a scientific research and development service for genomic pathogen surveillance. The 24-month project covers technical, governance and strategy work with relevant government end-user agencies. Its purpose is to build evidence through datasets and appraisal reports, reduce uncertainty about future platform design and operational decisions, and advance the platform towards operational readiness. It also aims to strengthen national capability and resilience in responding to foodborne threats and antimicrobial resistance, while supporting sustained One Health collaboration between the Food Standards Agency, UK Health Security Agency, Animal and Plant Health Agency and partners. Delivery covers the United Kingdom. The requirement is classified as research and development services and related consultancy services.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award to the University of Oxford (Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance). The stated basis was the Procurement Act 2023 direct-award ground for additional or repeat services, relying on continuity, technical compatibility and supplier uniqueness. There was one completed lot, marked as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises. The award date was 7 September 2026. The award value is £967,000 excluding VAT and £1,160,400 including VAT. The contract period runs from 21 September 2026 to 31 March 2029. A standstill period ends on 17 September 2026, with signature scheduled for 18 September 2026. The award is above the relevant threshold and evaluation was based on the direct-award justification rather than a competitive tender.

For suppliers assessing future work with the Food Standards Agency, this award indicates demand for specialist genomic surveillance research tied to foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. A credible competitor would need capability in applied genomic or pathogen science, research and development, and the production of robust datasets, evidence bases and appraisal reports for public-sector decisions. The requirement also favours organisations able to move a complex data platform towards operational readiness, address technical uncertainty and translate research into practical national capability. Experience of governance and strategy work, cross-government or multi-agency collaboration, and One Health programmes would be relevant. Suppliers would also need strong project controls and the capacity to manage scientific and delivery risks involving samples, laboratory capacity, analytical method development and validation, data quality, stakeholder coordination and approvals.

## Notice

This requirement is for a 24-month project to work with relevant government end user agencies to conduct further R&D across three workstreams (technical, governance, and strategy) to address uncertainties identified through the 25/26 work. The project will: * Create a robust evidence base (datasets, appraisal reports, etc) to inform future platform design and operational decisions, reduce technical uncertainty and enable confident, data-driven progression of the platform towards operational deployment. * Realise tangible value from prior investment by advancing the platform to operational readiness, positioning it to strengthen long-term national capability and resilience around response to foodborne threats and antimicrobial resistance. * Deliver strengthened cross-government One Health collaboration, evidenced through established, sustained ways of working across FSA, UKHSA, APHA and partners, enabling more coordinated and effective foodborne pathogen surveillance.

### Procurement Information

* STAs are justified under Schedule 5 (direct award grounds) of the Procurement Act 2023, specifically "additional or repeat goods, services or works", where continuity, technical compatibility, and supplier uniqueness are required.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084902-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award 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 | 8 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 7 Sep 2026 |
| Contract period | 21 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £967,000 |
| 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 | University of Oxford (Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

## Release History

- 8 Sep 2026 at 13:52 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084902-2026
- 8 Sep 2026 at 13:48 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084895-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084902-2026
  8th September 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084895-2026
  8th September 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-06f48b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f48b.json.