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
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.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge 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
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 1 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.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
170 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
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 1 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
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 60
Price
/ Weighting:
40
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
170 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 20
This contract is subject to renewal: No
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:
No
II.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues
Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue
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 III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
ESPD Q4B.5.1-3
It is a requirement that Contractors hold or can commit to obtain prior to start of any subsequently awarded contract the types of insurance below:
— Employers (Compulsory) Liability Insurance: 5 000 000 GBP,
— Public Liability Insurance: 1 000 000 GBP,
— Public Indemnity Insurance: 1 000 000 GBP.
III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
ESPD Q4D.1 Quality Management Procedures
The bidder must ensure any laboratory undertaking microbiological analysis must hold an accreditation of ISO 17025 standard or equivalent.
The bidder must ensure that individual test methods shall be accredited for detection and enumeration of each of the microorganisms specified in regulation EC 2073/2005 (i.e. for salmonella, ACC and E. coli) or equivalent. Alternative methods may be used with evidence of appropriate validation. Where possible, details of the accreditation of other methods employed should also be given (i.e. for STEC, campylobacter, AMR and WGS).
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
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.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
13/08/2018
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: 3 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
13/08/2018
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.3) Additional information
Note: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland website at https://www.ubliccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=548679
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.
(SC Ref:548679)
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
03/07/2018