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

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) requires the collection of dead wild birds and small mammals that are deemed to be of surveillance value, and delivery of the carcases to designated sites for testing across mainland Great Britain (GB).

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) requires the collection 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 identification numbers which will be held on a Central Spreadsheet.

Collection (and delivery) 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). Additional information: If you are interested in this requirement please ensure you are registered on Defra’s e-Sourcing system Atamis https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

If you need technical help with the Atamis system when registering please contact the Atamis support team e-mail [email protected] or phone Tel: 029 2279 0052.

Any questions, requests to participate or tender submissions must be submitted electronically via the portal.