Provision of On-Farm Carcase Pickup Services Framework Agreement
Framework Description
APHA's Provision of On-Farm Carcase Pickup Services framework gives the agency emergency access to farm labour and specialist bulking equipment for removing and disposing of carcases after an animal disease outbreak. It is a single-lot agreement, awarded to four providers in 2026. The current term ends on 31 July 2028, with an option to extend to 31 July 2030.
Context & Use Case
APHA activates the framework when a disease outbreak means animals must be culled and carcases cleared from farm premises fast. Providers send trained crews and equipment that work under APHA direction, and may also carry out preliminary cleansing and disinfection of the site. The framework is for emergency deployment rather than routine collection, so providers must keep crews and equipment ready at short notice.
Scope of Services
Emergency mobilisation of trained farm labour teams Carcase removal and handling across livestock species Loading, bulking and transfer for disposal Specialist equipment supplied with operators Preliminary cleansing and disinfection under APHA direction On-site biosecurity, safety and record-keeping
Lots
Single lot
Who Can Apply
Suited to farm labour agencies, livestock contractors and plant hire firms that can field experienced crews and bulking equipment within hours. Applications for this framework are closed: the four appointed providers deliver it, and other suppliers cannot join until APHA re-tenders, which is likely before 31 July 2028 or, if extended, 31 July 2030.
Buyer Benefits
In an outbreak, delay spreads disease. Having four contracted providers on standby means APHA can mobilise crews without running a procurement mid-crisis, with rates, safety standards and biosecurity rules agreed beforehand. Using several providers also gives the agency surge capacity if outbreaks hit more than one area at the same time.
Next Steps
If you are one of the four providers, keep mobilisation lists, training records and equipment registers current so you can respond the moment APHA activates the framework. If you are not, use the time before 2028 to build evidence: emergency work for other bodies, biosecurity training and equipment capacity. The 2026 notice is 079196-2026 on Find a Tender; monitor the same service for APHA's next carcase or disease-response procurement.
How Athena Can Help
There is little to bid for under this framework until it is re-let, so Athena's focus is getting you ready for that point. Our bid writing support produces emergency-response and biosecurity method statements that answer the evaluation criteria directly, and our public sector bid consultancy prices crews and equipment so the rates win and still make a profit. We can also map other animal health and emergency contracts into a pipeline of frameworks to target.
