Dead Wild Bird and Mammal Surveillance and Collection Services for Avian Influenza (AI)

Tender description

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) requires the collection / sampling of dead wild birds that are deemed to be of surveillance value, and delivery of the wild bird carcases to designated APHA Veterinary Investigation Centre (VIC) or Scotland Rural College Disease Surveillance Centre (SRUCDSC) sites for testing. APHA also requires the provision of unique wild bird carcase/sample identification numbers which will be held on a Central Spreadsheet. Collection of specified small mammalian carcases will also be required, particularly if mortalities are linked epidemiologically to an AI outbreak in wild birds. The Contractor will be required to have a network of personnel to act as Collectors across mainland Great Britain (GB) to ensure maximum efficiency in the Contractor's timely ability to collect carcases upon request from the Authority. As a minimum this shall mean that the Contractor can collect and deliver any carcase across mainland GB within forty-eight (48) hours of the Authority's request (i.e., for a Collector to travel from their point of origin to the location of the carcase(s) and then either to an APHAVIC or SRUCDSC, and/or a return journey). While this Contract primarily covers collections from mainland GB, Services from GB islands (excluding Crown Dependencies) may be requested. If this situation occurs the Contractor would be expected to provide a quotation and estimated timescale or the collection. The APHA Veterinary Lead in Avian Virology would then advise if the collection should go ahead. Note that the value shown on this notice is very approximate and covers the full potential 5-year contract period (01/09/2024 to 31/08/2027 with up to 24 months extension allowable). Please contact Melanie Swain (melanie.swain@defra.gov.uk) by 23/02/2024 if you would like the slide pack relating to this requirement sent to you. (This will be issued on / before 14/02/2024.) On review of the slide pack, if you have further initial queries please submit them in writing to the contact above by 27/02/2024. If appropriate, there may be the opportunity to discuss your queries further with APHA (on 05/03/2024). Any further information provided by APHA in these sessions will be shared with all potential bidders.