Research laboratory services

Tender description

Annex 2 to the Northern Ireland Protocol prevents the UK in respect of NI from establishing an NRL for NI within the UK, including NI. NRL functions in respect of NI will need be carried out by an NRL located in the EU or EEA. The National Reference Laboratory for Food and Feed Microbiology and Foodborne Viruses for Northern Ireland will play a vital role in protecting consumers from illness that could arise from the consumption of food (other than bivalve molluscs) contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. The NRL provides specialist advice and technical support to the NI enforcement process for feed, food and food products. The appointed laboratory(s) will carry out the provision of services for the National Reference Laboratory for NI for the following areas: • Lot 1 NRL for Antimicrobial resistance The appointed laboratory(s) will carry out the provision of Services for the National Reference Laboratory for NI for the following areas: • Lot 2 NRL for Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella. The appointed laboratory(s) will carry out the provision of Services for the National Reference Laboratory for NI for the following areas: • Lot 3 NRL for Coagulase positive Staphylococci (including Staphylococcus Aureus) The appointed laboratory(s) will carry out the provision of Services for the National Reference Laboratory for NI for the following areas: • Lot 4 NRL for Escherichia coli, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), also referred to as Verotoxigenic E. Coli (VTEC). The appointed laboratory(s) will carry out the provision of Services for the National Reference Laboratory for NI for the following areas: • Lot 5 NRL for Foodborne viruses (excluding bivalve molluscs).