Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Food Standards Scotland (FSS)
4th Floor, Pilgrim House, Old Ford Road
Aberdeen
AB11 5RL
Contact
Anna Penman
Telephone
+44 1224285172
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKM - Scotland
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA24524
one.3) Communication
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Dietary Surveys and Analysis
Reference number
FSS/2025/029
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79311000 - Survey services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is the public sector food body for Scotland. Our vision is a food and drink environment that benefits, protects and is trusted by consumers. We are here to make sure that food is safe to eat, ensure consumers know what they are eating, and improve the extent to which they have diets that are conducive to good health. The Nutrition Programme includes a dietary surveillance work stream to monitor and report progress towards the Scottish Dietary Goals (SDGs).
FSS are looking to award a contract to a provider who can conduct dietary surveys and analysis over a period of three (3) years with the option to extend up to a further 24 months.
FSS are considering a single service provider to deliver this requirement, however one organisation may not be able to fulfil all elements of this requirement alone. As a result, would welcome and encourage consortium approaches or sub-contracting to ensure that the right blend of expertise is available.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £600,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79311100 - Survey design services
- 79311200 - Survey conduction services
- 79311300 - Survey analysis services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
FSS's primary method for assessing dietary intake in Scotland is via an online, multiple pass dietary assessment method known as Intake24, which has been used to collect data as part of the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) since 2021. This provides FSS with robust dietary intake data in a representative sample of the Scottish population, linked with demographic and health data collected in the main SHeS survey allowing us to monitor progress towards the SDGs.
Although representative of the whole of Scotland, SHeS does not allow FSS to take a close look at the dietary intake of smaller groups of interest e.g. minority groups. Conducting additional surveys in specific population groups in Scotland, using Intake24, would allow FSS to further investigate dietary intakes in these groups.
The provider will complete a range of projects in the field of surveys and analysis, including but not limited to:
- Designing, conducting and analysing a survey on ethnic minority groups in Scotland using Intake24.
- Conducting analysis on retail and out of home purchase of food and drink in Scotland.
- Research considering the wider environmental impact diet has on food systems.
- Research incorporating qualitative measures to provide a mixed methods approach building on quantitative research.
- To conduct literature reviews as required by FSS.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 80
Price - Weighting: 20
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £600,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
36
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
with the option to extend for a further 2 (two) years.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
The specification is not exhaustive, and the contract will also allow FSS to commission additional pieces of work to meet our evidence and policy needs in relation to dietary intakes and food behaviours, and to support delivery of our Public Health Nutrition Strategy.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions for participation
three.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
three.2) Conditions related to the contract
three.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Please see the Invitation to Tender for more information.
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2025/S 000-079903
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
9 March 2026
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
9 March 2026
Local time
12:00pm
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published: At the end of the contract period.
six.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
six.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=822742.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363
(SC Ref:822742)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=822742
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Aberdeen Sheriff Court
Aberdeen
Country
United Kingdom