Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Food Standards Scotland (FSS)
4th Floor, Pilgrim House, Old Ford Road
Aberdeen
AB11 5RL
UK
Contact person: Anna Penman
Telephone: +44 1224285172
E-mail: Anna.penman@gov.scot
NUTS: UKM
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.foodstandards.gov.scot
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA24524
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal agency/office
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Dietary Surveys and Analysis
Reference number: FSS/2025/029
II.1.2) Main CPV code
79311000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is the public sector food body for Scotland. Our vision is a food and drink environment that benefits, protects and is trusted by consumers. We are here to make sure that food is safe to eat, ensure consumers know what they are eating, and improve the extent to which they have diets that are conducive to good health. The Nutrition Programme includes a dietary surveillance work stream to monitor and report progress towards the Scottish Dietary Goals (SDGs).
FSS are looking to award a contract to a provider who can conduct dietary surveys and analysis over a period of three (3) years with the option to extend up to a further 24 months, starting September 2026.
FSS are considering a single service provider to deliver this requirement, however one organisation may not be able to fulfil all elements of this requirement alone. As a result, would welcome and encourage consortium approaches or sub-contracting to ensure that the right blend of expertise is available.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
900 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
79311100
79311200
79311300
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
FSS's primary method for assessing dietary intake in Scotland is via an online, multiple pass dietary assessment method known as Intake24, which has been used to collect data as part of the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS) since 2021. This provides FSS with robust dietary intake data in a representative sample of the Scottish population, linked with demographic and health data collected in the main SHeS survey allowing us to monitor progress towards the SDGs.
Although representative of the whole of Scotland, SHeS does not allow FSS to take a close look at the dietary intake of smaller groups of interest e.g. minority groups. Conducting additional surveys in specific population groups in Scotland, using Intake24, would allow FSS to further investigate dietary intakes in these groups.
The provider will complete a range of projects in the field of surveys and analysis, including but not limited to:
- Designing, conducting and analysing a survey on ethnic minority groups in Scotland using Intake24.
- Conducting analysis on retail and out of home purchase of food and drink in Scotland.
- Research considering the wider environmental impact diet has on food systems.
- Research incorporating qualitative measures to provide a mixed methods approach building on quantitative research.
- To conduct literature reviews as required by FSS.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
02/02/2026
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to support the development of the procurement strategy. Organisations should note interest in this PIN if this is an opportunity your organisation would be interested in.
All information contained in this PIN is subject to change.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=817460.
(SC Ref:817460)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
04/12/2025