348_15 Public Analyst Services

We are looking to establish a framework agreement for public analyst and testing services in order for customers to meet their statutory obligations of enforcing the provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Agriculture Act 1970 and other statutory consumer protection work. This national framework solution will provide public sector bodies and their individual departments with access to a number of public analyst and testing services. These services will include (but will not be limited to) the testing of food, fertilisers, animal feed and other products; as well as air monitoring and soil/land assessments. The framework will be initially set up for use by Leicestershire County Council and ESPO; however it will also be made available to all other public sector establishments within the UK.

The framework agreement has the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The total estimated values stated include the option period.

An eAuction process may be used to award subsequent call off contracts following the reopening of competition among the parties to the Framework Agreement.

As a Central Purchasing Body as defined by the EU Procurement Directive 2014/24/EU, the Framework Agreement is open for use by the following classifications of user throughout all administrative regions of the UK: Local Authority Councils; Educational Establishments (including Academies); Central Government Departments and Agencies and Local Government Departments and Agencies; Police, Fire & Rescue and Coastguard Emergency Services; NHS and HSC Bodies, including Ambulance Services; Registered Charities;

Registered Social Landlords; Any Public Body established by or under the Scotland Act 1998 or any Act of the Scottish Parliament. Full details of the classification of end user establishments and geographical areas is available on: http://www.espo.org/About-us-%281%29/FAQs/Legal