Analysis of psychoactive substances in wastewater

Summary

The procurement is for specialist analytical services to measure psychoactive substances and their metabolites in urban wastewater, supporting population-level monitoring of drug-use trends. The work includes planning and carrying out sampling campaigns, receiving, preparing, preserving and analysing samples, processing data, interpreting results and reporting in line with EUDA and SCORE reference standards. Four seasonal campaigns are required during 2027–2028, in spring and autumn, each covering a full week at a minimum of eight wastewater treatment plants in eight different autonomous communities. The minimum is 56 daily samples per campaign. At least amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, benzoylecgonine, THC-COOH, ketamine, fentanyl and ethyl sulfate must be analysed; the number of analytes may be increased to a maximum of ten. Validated analytical methods and quality controls are required, including LC-MS/MS and participation in interlaboratory comparison exercises. The contractor must provide campaign results, updated databases and technical documentation in four deliveries due by 31 May 2027, 30 November 2027, 31 May 2028 and, for the final delivery, no later than 5 December 2028. The contract lasts approximately two years and two months. The estimated value is EUR 100,371.86 excluding VAT and EUR 121,449.96 including VAT. Price accounts for 80% of the award score; the remaining points are based on the scientific lead’s relevant projects and JCR publications, and satisfactory interlaboratory exercises. The successful bidder must provide a final performance guarantee of 5% of the award price excluding VAT.