Award

High geochemical lead survey

  • Food Standards Agency

UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-073080

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05a2aa (view related notices)

Published 12 November 2025, 11:09am



Scope

Reference

C390398

Description

Sampling for lead in food produced or grown in high geochemical lead areas of the GB.

The levels of lead present in food can vary depending on several factors, one being the presence of (high) levels of geochemical lead in the location in which food products have or are being grown or reared.

There are maximum levels for lead in some foods and due to the variable nature of the presence of geochemical lead throughout the UK, it is necessary that the FSA has an understanding on the levels of lead in food products grown or reared in medium/high geochemical lead (ranges TBD from literature data).

The work is considered one of the FSA's main areas of research interest (under chemical hazards; including nanomaterials and microplastics) and will be used to inform long-term policy and/or strategic decision making.


Contract 1. High geochemical lead survey

Supplier

Contract value

  • £199,551.94 excluding VAT
  • £239,462.33 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Award decision date

12 November 2025

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

12 November 2025

Standstill period

  • End: 21 November 2025
  • 8 working days

Earliest date the contract will be signed

25 November 2025

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 December 2025 to 31 March 2027
  • Possible extension to 30 April 2027
  • 1 year, 5 months

Description of possible extension:

The Contract can be extended by 1 month, by giving no less than 10 working days notice.

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 79311000 - Survey services
  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

Information about tenders

  • 1 tender received
  • 1 tender assessed in the final stage:
    • 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 1 supplier awarded contracts
  • 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure


Supplier

Fera Science Ltd

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDGX-4332-VPXR

York BioTech Campus, Sand Hutton,

York

YO41 1LZ

United Kingdom

Region: UKE22 - North Yorkshire CC

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1. High geochemical lead survey


Contracting authority

Food Standards Agency

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJRM-6866-LYYX

YO1 7PR

York

YO1 7PR

United Kingdom

Contact name: SERD Category Manager

Email: fsa.commercial@food.gov.uk

Website: https://www.food.gov.uk/

Region: UKE21 - York

Organisation type: Public authority - central government