FS900109a Microbiological Testing for Northern Ireland 1-5

The NRL 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 foods (including bivalve molluscs) contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. The NRL will provide specialist advice as requested by the FSA and technical support to the NI enforcement process for food, feed and products thereof.

The designated laboratory(ies) will carry out the provision of Services for the NRLs for NI for the following areas:

Lot 1 NRL for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Lot 2 NRL for Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella

Lot 3 NRL for Coagulase positive Staphylococci (including Staphylococcus aureus)

Lot 4 NRL for Escherichia coli, including Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), also referred to as Verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC)

Lot 5 NRL for Foodborne Viruses (including bivalve molluscs)

Public health protection from illness that could arise from the consumption of unsafe food is required under the provisions of general food law.

This is a 4 year contract with an optional 2 year extension. The estimated value of the Contract is estimated to be between £0 - £750,000 (inc VAT) for the total duration, including the 2 year extension. The FSA is not required to take the extension.