CEFAS26-120 Statutory shellfish E.coli monitoring service for Shetland and Orkney

Cefas
Scotland
1 February 2027 to 31 March 2028

Approximately 52 samples monthly (624 annually) from Shetland and Orkney, with transport coordination from remote islands; sample collection is handled separately. Samples must arrive for analysis within 48 hours of collection and remain at 1–10°C. Testing uses either the 5-tube, 4-dilution MPN method derived from ISO 16649-3 or the colony count method based on ISO 16649-2, with results uploaded to the shellfish monitoring dashboard.

Open the official notice

Closed· 19 October 2026

Estimated value: £600k; Buyer estimate
Published: 1 October 2026
Deadline: 19 October 2026; Closed
Contract length: 14 months; Ends 31 March 2028

What the contract covers

Services contract

Integrated shellfish microbiology laboratory testing, sample transport coordination and regulatory reporting services for official E. coli monitoring programmes.

Logistics and sample management: establish reliable delivery arrangements from Shetland and Orkney; pay transport costs; provide and replenish approved packing and transport equipment; coordinate with sample collectors; monitor weekly schedules; support correct packaging and documentation; receive samples Monday to Friday; maintain contingency arrangements for disruption
Laboratory analysis: receive, identify, assess and log samples; check submission information and resolve discrepancies; reject unsuitable samples; analyse all programme samples using one approved UK National Reference Laboratory method for enumeration of Escherichia coli in bivalve molluscan shellfish—either the 5-tube, 4-dilution MPN method derived from ISO 16649-3 or the colony count method based on ISO 16649-2; meet required turnaround times
Reporting and coordination: upload results, rejections and associated information to the FSS Shellfish Monitoring & Classification system; support urgent follow-up and resampling; provide monthly and quarterly performance information; maintain records and audit trails; work with Cefas, FSS and sample collectors to resolve operational issues

Terms and requirements

Contract type: Services contract
Initial term: 12 months
Extensions: 36 months + 24 months
Longest it can run: 72 months
Contract dates: 1 February 2027 to 31 March 2028
Certifications asked for: designation as an official laboratory by FSS, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation
Lots: 1
Suitable for SMEs: Yes
Suitable for charities and social enterprises: Yes
Category: Services
CPV codes: 71900000, 71630000, 71620000, 71621000

Services in this tender

Public analyst and official food and feed laboratory servicesMain service£163k typicalOfficial E. coli testing of shellfish samples with island sample logistics

Lifecycle

Published
1 October 2026
Deadline for bidsClosed
19 October 2026
Contract awardedUsually published within a few months
Contract starts
1 February 2027

The buyer

Cefas

Type: Locked
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Recorded value: Locked
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Contact details

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Website: Locked
Address: Locked

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Cite this tender

Link: https://bidskim.com/tender/3873057/cefas26-120-statutory-shellfish-e-coli-monitoring-service-for-shetland-and-orkne
Buyer reference: Not published
Open contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-077eca
Last checked: 5 November 2026

Cefas. CEFAS26-120 Statutory shellfish E.coli monitoring service for Shetland and Orkney. Tender, 1 October 2026. BidSkim, https://bidskim.com/tender/3873057/cefas26-120-statutory-shellfish-e-coli-monitoring-service-for-shetland-and-orkne (accessed 5 November 2026).