Scope
Description
AHDB are seeking a specialist healthcare communication partner to help shape our health and nutrition strategy, providing credible evidence-based nutrition expertise to support our health care communications and stakeholder engagement plan, including the evaluations thereof, and shape wider conversations about British farming and food.
The successful agency should have experience of specialist health care communications, with a particular focus on nutrition, and be able to provide a vast depth of healthcare professional experience within their team.
The closing date for this opportunity is NOON 24th November 2025.
The AHDB portal link is https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
Suppliers must also register to the Central Digital Platform as per PA23 rules and regulations.
The contract is approx £100k per annum, initial contract is for 1 year with the option of 1+1 extensions.
Total value (estimated)
- £375,000 excluding VAT
- £450,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027
- Possible extension to 31 March 2029
- 3 years
Description of possible extension:
1+1 after initial 1 year contract
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79416200 - Public relations consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
14 November 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
24 November 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
9 February 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality/Technical | 90% Quality/Technical |
Quality | 90.00% |
| Commercial Costings/Price | 10% weightings |
Price | 10.00% |
Other information
Payment terms
As per AHDB terms and conditions
Applicable trade agreements
- Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
AHDB are aware this is a niche market with limited suppliers/agencies. The successful agency should have experience of specialist health care communications, with a particular focus on nutrition, and be able to provide a vast depth of healthcare professional experience within their team, focusing on red meat and dairy.
Contracting authority
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBHX-8363-MBBV
Middlemarch Business Park
Coventry
CV3 4SU
United Kingdom
Contact name: Sarah Waters
Email: procurement@ahdb.org.uk
Region: UKG13 - Warwickshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government