Contract notice
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
Access to the procurement documents is restricted. Further information can be obtained at:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
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.
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:
600 000.00
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.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Technical
/ Weighting: 80
Price
/ Weighting:
20
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
600 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 36
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
with the option to extend for a further 2 (two) years.
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The specification is not exhaustive, and the contract will also allow FSS to commission additional pieces of work to meet our evidence and policy needs in relation to dietary intakes and food behaviours, and to support delivery of our Public Health Nutrition Strategy.
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
III.2.2) Contract performance conditions
Please see the Invitation to Tender for more information.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2025/S 000-079903
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
09/03/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
09/03/2026
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
At the end of the contract period.
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
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=822742.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
A sub-contract clause has been included in this contract. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363
(SC Ref:822742)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=822742
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Aberdeen Sheriff Court
Aberdeen
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
04/02/2026