Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Food Standards Scotland (FSS)
4th Floor, Pilgrim House, Old Ford Road
Aberdeen
AB11 5RL
UK
Telephone: +44 1412420133
E-mail: tommy.mcphelim@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.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Microbiological Survey of Minced Beef on Retail Sale in Scotland
Reference number: FSS/2018/013
II.1.2) Main CPV code
73110000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The primary objective of this project is to generate baseline data on the significant microbiological pathogens and hygiene indicator organisms present in beef mince on retail sale to the consumer in Scotland. A secondary objective is to analyse any patterns of variation (e.g. seasonal or geographical) to identify any risk factors associated with microbial contamination. Thirdly, the presence and significance of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) should be determined in any pathogens and a subset of 100 isolates of generic E. coli found.
This will be done by undertaking a comprehensive survey of microbiological pathogens and hygiene indicator organisms in beef mince at retail across a range of geographic locations in Scotland over the course of one year. This should include surveying different premises (e.g. butchers, supermarkets), geographical locations and product ranges (e.g. value, premium) in order to represent what Scottish consumers are currently purchasing.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
183 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
73110000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM50
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The aim of this project is to address the key evidence gap in relation to the microbiological risk of Scottish beef mince at retail level to contribute to the delivery of FSS’s strategy aimed at reducing the incidence of foodborne illness in Scotland.
To assist in achieving this aim, the Contractor shall:
A. Carry out sampling of fresh minced beef on retail sale over a one year period across a range of geographical locations in Scotland. Sampling should be designed so that it is representative of what Scottish consumers are buying and eating;
B. Analyse the samples for the following foodborne pathogens and hygiene indicator organisms:
(i) STEC (including E. coli O157 and non-O157s);
(ii) Campylobacter;
(iii) Salmonella;
(iv) Generic E. coli;
(v) Anaerobic Colony Counts (ACCs).
(c) Samples that are found to contain pathogenic microorganisms (campylobacter, salmonella and STEC) will be sequenced by whole genome sequencing (WGS);
(d) All pathogens analysed by WGS will be screened for AMR genes;
(e) 100 generic E. coli isolated and all the STEC, campylobacter and salmonella isolates will also be tested for antimicrobial resistance by disk diffusion (or an alternative appropriate method);
(f) Sample results will be analysed statistically to determine the prevalence and levels of AMR for each of the organisms tested.
The Contractor is required to analyse any patterns in the variation of microorganisms present (e.g. seasonal or regional) or any indications of risk factors that influence the microbiological quality of mince on retail sale in Scotland. This will be achieved by ensuring sampling is undertaken over a full 12 month period and across a range of product ranges and geographical locations in Scotland. The result of this analysis will also be included within the full report.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
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:
2018/S 128-291779
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: FSS/2018/013
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
24/09/2018
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
SAC Commercial Ltd
King's Buildings, West Mains Road
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
UK
Telephone: +44 1315354074
NUTS: UKM
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 182 761.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
(SC Ref:559420)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Food Standards Scotland (FSS)
4th Floor, Pilgrim House, Old Ford Road
Aberdeen
AB11 5RL
UK
Telephone: +44 1412420133
Internet address(es)
URL: www.foodstandards.gov.scot
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
17/01/2019