Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH AGENCY
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Contact
Network Procurement
network.procurement@defra.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3459335577
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
Buyer's address
https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Contract for the provision of External Audit of BCGcattle Phase 3
Reference number
C30845
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Contract for the provision of External Audit of BCGcattle Phase 3
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £1,519
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 73210000 - Research consultancy services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The requirement is for the external auditor to be based on the extended field work to complete Phase 3. The complexity and challenges around this project are numerous and the external auditor brings stability and experience. The external auditor is critical to success of the field trials.
Defra have invested in the development of a vaccine and companion DIVA test for bovine TB and it is expected that these will be a key tool in the control of this disease. For granting of a Marketing Authorisation (MA) by VMD a field trial of both diagnostics demonstrating safety and specificity must be run in the field. The external auditor will ensure that the field trial complies with GCPvet by performing audits as well as providing consultancy as and when required. Any significant deviation from GCPvet would risk granting of the MAs, and the field trial having to be repeated.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- New works/services, constituting a repetition of existing works/services
Explanation:
The justification of the direct award to Clinical Research and Communication (CRC) is due to previous expertise in this cattle vaccine trial under a previous contract for these services for this programme of work therefore continuation of this work under a new contract is required. The supplier’s knowledge and understanding of the trial is vital to the success of this project which has seen considerable delays due to its complexity. There will be a risk of failure of the project if the supplier were to change at this critical stage.
The justification for this STA/Direct award is under PCR 2015 Reg 32 - “Compatibility – the supplier has the relevant methodology to complete an assignment which was previously let by competitive tender”.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
28 October 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Clinical Research and Communication
Gartenstrasse 105
Basel
CH-4052
Telephone
+41 612633545
Country
Switzerland
NUTS code
- CH032 - Basel-Landschaft
National registration number
CHE-103.867.800
Internet address
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £1,519
Lowest offer: £1,519 / Highest offer: £1,519 taken into consideration
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs