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

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) operates an official control programme to monitor faecal contamination in live bivalve molluscs and support the classification of shellfish harvesting areas, for which Cefas coordinates aspects of programme delivery. The anticipated contract will principally cover existing classified production areas and new areas seeking classification in Shetland and Orkney. Current planning assumptions indicate approximately 52 shellfish samples per month, or 624 per year, but volumes and locations may change in response to regulatory requirements, classification decisions, incidents, seasonal activity or changes in the monitoring plan. The geographical scope of the work may be expanded to other Scottish areas.

The requirement is for an integrated end-to-end service including laboratory analysis, as well as coordinating the logistics needed to move samples from remote island locations to its laboratory in a condition and timeframe suitable for official control testing. Sample collection itself will be undertaken under separate arrangements, but the supplier must work closely with sampling contractors and any FSS-approved industry collectors.

• 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, including early or late deliveries where necessary; and maintain contingency arrangements for disruption. Samples must reach the laboratory in time for analysis to begin within 48 hours of collection and sample temperature must remain within 1-10°C before start of analysis.

• Laboratory analysis: receive, identify, assess and log samples; check submission information and resolve discrepancies; reject unsuitable samples in accordance with agreed criteria; 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; and meet the required turnaround times.

• Reporting and coordination: upload results, rejections and associated information to the FSS Shellfish Monitoring & Classification system (Shellfish Monitoring and Classification Scotland - Dashboard using agreed templates; support urgent follow-up and resampling; provide monthly and quarterly performance information; maintain records and audit trails; and work with Cefas, FSS and sample collectors to resolve operational issues and improve delivery.

Full Specification is available in the Bidder Pack via Atamis once registered as per below details.