Analysis services

Tender description

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) with Request For Information (RFI) relates to FSS’ requirement to place a contract with an external service provider for the provision of agricultural analysis services. This contract is intended to cover all agricultural analyst services required by FSS within Scotland. The RFI document can be found within the additional documents section of this PIN. Food Standards Scotland intend to award a contract for the provision of agricultural analysis services. The Agriculture Act 1970 requires Food Standards Scotland to appoint an agricultural analyst and one or more deputy analysts, if required. Chapter IV of Regulation (EU) No 2017/625 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products requires competent authorities to designate official laboratories to carry out the laboratory analyses, tests and diagnoses on samples taken during official controls and other official activities. The contract will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for an additional 24 months. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is in the process of developing a model of official control delivery for animal feed (implementation planned for 1 April 2021). The proposal to develop legislation to transfer the competence for feed is currently out for consultation. The model will see competence for feed law functions, including official control delivery and enforcement, transferring to FSS with FSS having the power to delegate delivery to third parties. FSS will be legally responsible throughout. The analysis function requirements are laid out in law in that the competent authority (FSS from April 2021) is required to appoint an agricultural analyst. There are currently 4 agricultural analysts across Scotland, employed by Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow City Councils. They currently act as the agricultural analysts for the 31 local authority Trading standards (feed) services across Scotland.