Scope
Reference
HSE/T4770
Description
As part of its work on pesticides, HSE is responsible for administering an annual programme of pesticides residue testing on food available to consumers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland to check that food is safe and meets legal requirements.
HSE is responsible for delivering national programmes of monitoring pesticide residues in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland food supply on behalf of DEFRA and DEARA (a part of the NI executive). GB national law and in Northern Ireland under the terms of the Windsor Framework (Regulation 396/2005 and Regulation 2021/1355) requires Great Britain and Northern Ireland to monitor pesticide residues in food. The testing programme must also include the analysis of obligatory named foods for a specific list of pesticides as detailed by the GB co-ordinated multi-annual control plan and the annual EU regulation for a co-ordinated multiannual control programme. The most recent requirements for Northern Ireland and member states for 2026 are set out in Regulation 2024/989.
The collection and purchase of retail samples to send to different official laboratories for testing is currently part of these programmes and it is this aspect of the programme that is now being re-tendered for samples collected in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The aim of the programme is to collect samples cross the country as part of different food surveys which may span specific periods of the year or the whole year. Broadly being representative of market share by the key retailers and covering various geographic areas on a rolling basis.
Total value (estimated)
- £1,130,000 excluding VAT
- £1,356,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2026 to 31 July 2027
- Possible extension to 31 December 2029
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
4 August 2025
Engagement process description
HSE will be conducting a webinar style presentation for interested parties to learn more about our requirements and to enable the market to submit requests for clarification.
The webinar will take place on Monday 4th August 2025, most likely in the afternoon however this is subject to final confirmation.
Any potential bidders that wish to attend must send a request to be invited via email to tenders@hse.gov.uk. Please quote the tender reference number in the subject line. You should also provide the email addresses of any individuals you would like to attend. We will then send those an MS invite to the session.
This will be the only pre-market engagement activity that will take place for this opportunity, please potential bidders should note that if they are unable to attend, they will not be excluded from bidding once the full tender is published.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
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
Region: UKD73 - Sefton
Organisation type: Public authority - central government