Scope
Reference
HSE T4779
Description
The Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) wishes to establish a new research and development (R&D) framework with six specific lots (A-F).
This framework will be structured into specialism based lots. Each lot is designed to hold more than one supplier to allow a varied skill set across each lot.
A specification will be written for each project and HSE will then consider the specification against each supplier to determine which supplier's expertise is best suited to the project. If more than one supplier has the relevant experience, a cab rank system will be used (further detail on this process is provided in section 4). Due to the nature of the type of R&D projects that will be brought forward, we are aware that not all suppliers in a lot may necessarily be able to undertake all the projects brought forward, so this approach ensures projects will be allocated to the most relevant supplier.
HSE reserve the right to allocate projects to other suppliers in the framework, outside of the specified lot, if all the suppliers allocated to a lot are not able to undertake the project.
This framework will be open to usage from all HSE teams. The framework will enable faster turnaround of R&D. It also provides a more cost effective and less burdensome way of commissioning research projects.
The framework is designed to be a 4 year contract.
We are unsure how many times we will use each individual Lot on the R&D Framework throughout the four year period. The award of each individual Lot does not guarantee any amount of work during the contract agreement period.
Whilst we anticipate using each individual Lot on the R&D Framework to fulfil our needs, we do reserve the right to choose to commission such work through other means and with other suppliers as we see fit.
3. SCOPE OF THE SERVICES REQUIRED
The R&D Framework will be structured into 6 specialism based lots:
• Lot A - Chemistry
• Lot B - Ecotoxicology
• Lot C - Efficacy
• Lot D - Fate and Behaviour
• Lot E - Residues
• Lot F - Toxicology
Suppliers may, apply for one, some or all of lots (A-F). We intend to appoint 4 suppliers for each lot.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £1,666,667 excluding VAT
- £2,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 August 2025 to 20 August 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot A (was 1). Chemistry
Description
Lot A - Chemistry
Primary quantitative research and analysis
All types of primary quantitative research. To exemplify, primary methods may include (but not be limited to):
· Method development
· Application and validation of methods and techniques
· Adaptation and extension of existing techniques
· Associated work such as: securing samples, interpreting data and results,
· Analyses, reporting and the generation of key scientific eoutcomes and recommendations from the work
To include, but not be limited to methods and approaches that enable the development of methods for the analysis of pesticide active substances, impurities and co-formulants in pesticide formulations, and of residues of pesticide active substances and metabolites in food and feeds
Lot value (estimated)
- £277,777 excluding VAT
- £333,333 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot B. Ecotoxicology
Description
All types of secondary analysis. To exemplify, methods may include (but are not limited to):
· Desk research
· Literature reviews
· Quantitative summaries
· Systematic reviews
· Horizon scanning
· Plus analyses, reporting and the generation of key scientific evidence, regulatory developments and recommendations from the work.
Topics may include
• Birds
• Mammals
• Aquatic (including sediment) organisms
• Bees and other polinators
• Non-target arthropods
• Soil organsims
• Non-target plants
• Biopesticides
• Endocrine disruption
• Effect modelling
• Linking exposure and effects
• New technology
• Risk assessment for precision agriculture
• Climate change
• Bioaccumulation
• Biodiversity
• Protection Goals
• Risk mitigation
• Novel / alternative application methods
• Chemical mixtures and mulitple stressors
• Landscape scale assessment
• Sublethal effects
• Community and ecosytstems
Lot value (estimated)
- £277,777 excluding VAT
- £333,333 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot C. Efficacy
Description
• Evidence on the impact of selection pressures exerted by the use of plant protection products on resistance development and the mechanisms of resistance. Informing the development of resistance management strategies to support sustainable crop production.
• Evidence on developing novel and integrated approaches for the control of pests, weeds and diseases, taking into account any adaptation and mitigation measures arising from climate change, and what impact this may have on efficacy regulatory requirements.
• Evidence on the impact of different application technologies on the efficacy of plant protection products, including impacts on resistance development, and what changes or adaptations to efficacy regulatory requirements may be needed.
• Evaluating the scope of new technologies for assessing biological parameters in efficacy field trials.
• Evaluating the current and changing status of target species, cropping practices and PPP availability to inform the assessment of the agronomic relevance of PPPs and establish future challenges for pest and resistance management.
• The impact of formulation chemistry on the biological efficacy of PPPs
Lot value (estimated)
- £277,777 excluding VAT
- £333,333 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot D. Fate and Behaviour
Description
All types of secondary analysis. To exemplify, methods may include (but are not limited to):
· Desk research
· Literature reviews
· Quantitative summaries
· Systematic reviews
· Horizon scanning
· Model or software development
· Plus analyses, reporting and the generation of key scientific evidence, regulatory developments and recommendations from the work.
· Proactive secondary collection (e.g. contacting organisations via phone/web to gather evidence and examples of practice - which may include interviews)
Topics may include
• Degradation
• Sorption
• Environmental fate and behaviour in soil, water, sediment, air
• Routes of environmental exposure
• Spray drift
• Runoff
• Drainflow
• Groundwater leaching
• Long range transport
• Plant uptake
• POPs and PBTs
• Exposure modelling
• Scenario development
• Surrogate crops
• Linking exposure and effects
• New technology
• Drones
• Novel / alternative application methods
• Crop specific exposure assessments
• Hard surfaces
• Biopesticides
• Metals
• Metabolites
• Unextracted residues
• Climate change
• Risk mitigation
• Higher tier modelling
• Spatial assessments
• Landscape or catchment scale exposure assessments
• Water treatment processes
• Environmental monitoring
• Exposure assessment goals
Lot value (estimated)
- £277,777 excluding VAT
- £333,333 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot E. Residues
Description
All types of secondary analysis. To exemplify, methods may include (but are not limited to):
· Desk research
· Literature reviews
· Quantitative summaries
· Systematic reviews
· Horizon scanning
· Plus analyses, reporting and the generation of key scientific evidence, regulatory developments and recommendations from the work.
Topics may include
• Impact of new application techniques, including drones on residue levels in crops
• Storage stability
• Metabolism in plants and animals, including fish
• Extraction efficiency
• Uncertainties within the residues assessment, MRL setting and consumer risk assessments
• Residue trial parameters, and their impact on residue levels
• Proportionaility/ scaling of residues
• Crop to crop extrapolations
• Impact of processing
• Residues in rotational crops
• Residues in honey and other bee products
• Residues in fish, including the diets of farmed fish
• Consumption data
• Approaches to consumer risk assessments
Lot value (estimated)
- £277,777 excluding VAT
- £333,333 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot F. Toxicology Secondary Analysis
Description
All types of secondary analysis. To exemplify, methods may include (but are not limited to):
· Desk research
· Literature reviews
· Quantitative summaries
· Systematic reviews
· Horizon scanning
· Plus analyses, reporting and the generation of key scientific evidence, regulatory developments and recommendations from the work.
Topics may include
• Acute toxicity
• Skin and eye irritation
• Skin sensitisation
• Phototoxicity
• Repeated dose toxicity
• Genotoxicity
• Carcinogenicity
• Reproductive toxicity
• Developmental neurotoxicity
• Endocrine disruption
• ADME and dermal absorption
• Modelling
• In silico tools
• TTC approach
• NAMs
• Epidemiology
• Uncertainty
• NGRA
• Protection Goals
• Risk mitigation
• Risk communication
• Co-formulants
• 3Rs
• Chemical mixtures
• Biopesticides
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Effects on the gut microbiome
• Dose setting and maximum tolerated dose
• Kinetically-informed maximum dose
Lot value (estimated)
- £277,777 excluding VAT
- £333,333 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
24
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
See Details in the Governments e-tender portal Intend
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot A (was 1). Chemistry
Lot B. Ecotoxicology
Lot C. Efficacy
Lot D. Fate and Behaviour
Lot E. Residues
Lot F. Toxicology Secondary Analysis
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
25 June 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
14 July 2025, 1:00pm
Electronic auction will be used
Yes
Submission address and any special instructions
All tender documents are available via the HSE In-Tend supplier e-procurement portal. All responses and requests for clarification must be submitted via the portal. Registration is free of charge and can be completed via the following link:
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
21 August 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 60% |
| Commercial | Price | 30% |
| Social Value | Quality | 10% |
Other information
Payment terms
For Lots A - F an arbitrary spend amount per Lot has been input to allow the Notice to be published. There is no guarantee of any minimum/maximum amount of spend per Lot and spend will be allocated per project.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Health and Safety Executive
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBXM-4389-TXVZ
Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside
Liverpool
L20 7HS
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@hse.gov.uk
Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk
Region: UKD73 - Sefton
Organisation type: Public authority - central government