QU480_2024 - Provision of Food Inspections for Regulation and Enforcement - AWARD

The Council requires a supplier for the provision of Food inspections for Regulations and Enforcement. One supplier will be appointed for these services. Providers should note that there is no guaranteed level of work under this contract.

Birmingham City Council (BCC) is the largest Local Authority in England and Wales with a population of over 1 million people. Approximately 11,100 food outlets are based within the city, ranging from small family run businesses to large national and international enterprises. This number has drastically increased from a steady 7,500 over the past 3 years. A large number of businesses change hands, set up or close down within the course of a twelve-month period.

The city sets what they aim to achieve in the year through the food law enforcement plan. Whilst the ideal would be to meet 100% of its food hygiene inspections, this is not currently the case whilst addressing a back log from the pandemic. This involves between 4,500 and 5,000 primary food hygiene inspections each year, in accordance with the statutory Food Law Code of Practice.

Inspections carried out must meet the full range of Food Law Code of Practice categories, although it is expected that most will be Category C/D . Any type or size of food business may be inspected, many of which will be located within the inner-city areas, and some food business operators have difficulty understanding the basics of food safety and food law. Food hygiene inspections should normally be combined with food standards inspections and Duty of Care inspections to check that businesses have suitable refuse contracts in place.

Food safety work is carried out by the Environmental Health Section of Regulation and Enforcement from one office located in the City Centre and the provider will be required to work from this location.

The successful provider is required to ensure they can demonstrate that they have the resource base and food inspection officers available as and when needed by the Council at any given time to support primary food hygiene inspections each year. (This may require when requested 7 days a week working, or outside of standard business hours if needed with a working week being 36.5 hours) . Please note that subcontracting will not be approved.

This contract will be for a period of 3 years commencing 1st June 2024 until 31st May 2028.

The Council will be using its free to use e-tendering system (in-tend) for the administration of this procurement process and potential suppliers must register with the system to be able to express an interest. If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity, please click on the following link to access in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc/ ↗ and submit your details to register. You will then be able to log on which will enable you to download all relevant quotation documentation.

If you are unable to register with In-tend or have any questions or pro...