Scope
Description
An Investigation into the Effects of the Tertiary Recycling Process on the Quality and Safety of Plastics
The Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), introduced in the UK in 2022, aims to reduce plastic waste by promoting the use of recycled materials in plastic packaging. However, pharmaceutical primary packaging remains comprised of solely virgin (newly produced) materials. This is because the use of recycled plastics in primary packaging is largely prohibitive, due to concerns that degradation products will be present in the recycled plastic.
While the industry is aware that degradation products exist, these have never been fully investigated. The VMD is launching this call for interest to undertake research to identify and quantify the degradation products that occur during the tertiary recycling procedure and evaluate the potential for the use of recycled materials in veterinary pharmaceutical primary packaging.
The aims of this research
Total value (estimated)
- £72,000 excluding VAT
- £86,400 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 December 2025 to 31 March 2026
- 3 months, 20 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Conditions of participation
To select those Tenderers who are suitable to deliver the Authority's requirements and will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria set out in Sections 1 to 5 of the response form in Atamis and Part 1 of this Section (in respect of economic and financial standing and technical and professional ability). Failure to meet the stated selection criteria will result in a Response being rejected at this stage and no further assessment of the remainder of the Response (including the Tender) pursuant to the remaining stages below will be undertaken by the Authority.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
14 November 2025, 2:00pm
Tender submission deadline
21 November 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | Quality | 60.00% |
| Commercial | Cost | 30.00% |
| Sustainability and Social Value | Quality | 10.00% |
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Documents
Associated tender documents
C30694 - Bidder Pack- part two core requirements below threshold PA23.pdf
Contracting authority
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMDP-3464-HTRN
Woodham Lane, New Haw
Addlestone
KT15 3LS
United Kingdom
Contact name: Emily Hayes
Email: emily.hayes@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKJ25 - West Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Summary of their role in this procurement: Defra group Commercial will be leading the procurement on behalf of the VMD.
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Contact name: Emily Hayes
Email: emily.hayes@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster