Request for Proposal: VegNET

⁠⁠⁠Hort Innovation is seeking a suitably qualified, experienced and capable delivery partner for the project: VegNET (VG18003).

VegNET will be contributing to Outcome 5 of the Vegetable Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) 2017-2021 – Improved industry capabilities for innovation and adoption and will have a significant responsibility for achievement of Strategy 5.1 – Communication and extension. Outcome 5 is critical for the achievement of all other Outcomes.

The objectives of the services are to help Hort Innovation:
* Maintain and strengthen the VegNET brand through a more coordinated national approach
* Implement a framework for the delivery of Industry Development services to the Australian Vegetable Industry
* Develop a national Industry Development Strategy and supporting plans utilising extension theory and best practice to deliver Industry Development services at a regional level in a strategic and coordinated manner with a team of appropriately skilled and respected individuals
* Deliver Industry Development services that: improve extension and communication of the Vegetable R&D program to address a geographically and culturally diverse vegetable industry; identify and address industry training needs; create improved industry capabilities for adoption and innovation; drive and monitor the adoption of R&D by Australian vegetable businesses; have measurable impact
* Facilitate the feedback loop between growers and researchers to ensure that R&D outputs are relevant and accessible to end users, and that industry R&D gaps/needs are reported to Hort Innovation.

Hort Innovation has prepared a Request for Proposal (RFP) document that provides background information, outlines the scope of services, the procurement process and the information required from interested parties.

Hort Innovation will convene a briefing teleconference with interested respondents at 3:00pm (AEDT) on Thursday 20 December 2018 to assist interested respondents identify potential collaborators. To register for the teleconference and receive the dial-in details please email tenders@horticulture.com.au

The closing date for responses is 5.00pm (AEDT), 14 February 2019.