Remote Locum Official Veterinarian Services

Food Standards Scotland’s (FSS) primary concern is consumer protection - making sure that food is safe to eat; ensuring consumers know what they are eating and improving nutrition. This contract will support this objective through the provision of verification through inspection and health marking in FSS Approved Meat Establishments (AMEs).

The supplier will provide a service for the delivery of Official Controls (OCs) in accordance with relevant UK law in FSS AMEs. Typically, this also includes routine attendance in Approved Game Handling Establishments (AGHEs) for joint veterinary and inspector functions and duties.

The contract covers remote areas within Scotland or reduced attendance requirements, where it would be uneconomical for FSS to deploy its own official veterinarians and/or meat hygiene inspectors. The requirement for these services is on a locum basis.

The initial contract period is for three years. There is an option to extend the contract for up to a further two years, i.e. up to a maximum contract period of five years.

The requirement has been divided into 6 lots by geographical area of performance. The collective estimated value of all contracts over the 5-year period is approximately GBP500K.

The figure shown under “Estimated value” represents our estimate of the maximum potential value. However, the contract is demand-led and out-turn value is likely to be less than this.

Whilst conducting market research it was found that there were no other qualified suppliers who could provide the services required under this contract on a local basis.