Review Project Performance & Impact of the Northern Rice Industry Grant
Tender ID: 418781
Tender Details
Tender Description
This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is seeking services to review the performance of the four individual projects that formed the basis of the Northern Rice Industry Grant from the Australian Government to understand limitations to the establishment of rice industry in northern Australia as part of the AgriFutures Rice Program.
The aim of this project is to provide AgriFutures Australia with an independent review and assessment of the performance of the projects in meeting the objectives of the Australian Governments investment.
The Northern Rice Industry RFQ closes at 12pm AEDT on Thursday, 30 April 2020.
Background: Rice has been commercially grown in northern Australia for more than 30 years. However, large-scale production ceased after devastation from cyclones and plant diseases caused quality issues in the marketplace. Rice production in northern Australia focuses on the development of specialty domestic and international markets, with high quality long grain and fragrant rice, which command premium prices, best suited to the region.
Alongside the opportunities presented there are also considerable challenges to establishment and development of a viable rice industry in northern Australia.
These include:
· Breeding and selection of suitable varieties that produce high yields of marketable rice.
· Understanding the nature of and controlling pests and diseases.
· Understanding agronomic issues.
· The positioning of rice in the farming system and adoption of rice farming in northern Australia.
AgriFutures Australia, through a grant from the Australian Government, established a concerted program of work focused on these challenges. This program brought together SunRice, Rice Research Australia Limited (RRAPL), New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), University of Queensland (UQ) and University of Southern Queensland (USQ) to meet the challenges through a coordinated and collaborative research effort.
The research, development and extension (RD&E) program comprised of four projects that investigated the following areas, in relation to the development of a rice industry in northern Australia:
· A1 Varietal breeding and selection - to deliver market characteristics, e.g. a soft-cooking long grain, soft-cooking fragrant, tropical medium grain and low glycaemic index (GI) varieties.
· A2 Pests and disease - focus on northern Australia and identification of disease races for bacterial blight and rice blast.
· A3 Agronomy - optimisation of rice yield through establishment and crop nutrition, environmental and best practice management.
· A4 Adoption - grower engagement through established farming networks, delivering information packages and developing management options for rice within the northern farming system.
· A5 Post-harvest handling - address variability in rice and handling post-harvest including moisture management, transport and storage.
Field experiments for variety evaluation and determination of agronomic best management practice, pest and disease surveys, development of protocols and establishment of facilities for quality testing, and employment of staff and post-doctoral positions for the project were all accomplished during the project period.
It is anticipated that the cost of this project could be up to a maximum of $15,000
Project requirements: The successful applicant will be required to:
· Review all project documentation to gain a comprehensive understanding of the objectives and methodology of the Northern Rice Industry Grant.
· Consult with all project personnel and key industry stakeholders in northern Australia, through an agreed methodology, to understand the outputs and outcomes from the four projects during the project.
· Document the result of consultation and provide an assessment of the relevance and impact of outcomes from the four projects.
Project deliverables: A written report that details the assessment of the success (or otherwise) of the investment in understanding the requirements for a successful rice industry in northern Australia. The report will be provided to the Australian Government in addition to the formal reporting requirements.
Timeline: AgriFutures Australia believes that the project should be completed within five week timeframe. If a longer timeframe is required, the Tenderer should explain why that is the case.
Date Activity:
· 15 April 2020 RFQ applications open
· 30 April 2020 RFQ applications close
· 22 May 2020 Expected execution of contract or issue of agreement
· 30 June 2020 Expected project completion date
Terms of reference: By submitting an application, respondents acknowledge that they are willing to accept the terms and conditions set out in the Provider Agreement.
The Respondent agrees that AgriFutures Australia may accept or decline to accept the Respondent's Quotation in its discretion. No commitments or contract exists until a contract in the form of the Provider Agreement is executed by both parties. The Respondent agrees that AgriFutures Australia is not required to enter into any contract in connection with the RFQ.
The Respondent agrees that participation in any stage of the RFQ process is at the Respondent's sole risk and cost.
Acceptance of a Quotation will occur only when an Agreement is issued or a contract is executed.
AgriFutures Australia, at its discretion, may discontinue this RFQ, decline to accept any Quotation, decline to issue any contract or satisfy it requirement separately from this RFQ process.
Contact: If you have any questions about the RFQ process or requirements in the managemen
Location
New South Wales : Central West : Far North Coast : Far West : Hunter : Illawarra : Mid North Coast : Murray : New England : Orana : Riverina : Southern Highlands : Sydney
Queensland : Cairns & Far North Queensland : Gladstone : Mackay Whitsunday Region : Mount Isa & North West Region : Rockhampton : South East Queensland : South West & Darling Downs : The Central West : Townsville : Wide Bay Burnett
Victoria : Barwon South West : Gippsland : Grampians : Hume : Loddon Mallee : Melbourne
South Australia : Adelaide : Eyre & Western : Far North : Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island : Limestone Coast : Murray & Mallee : York & Mid North
Northern Territory : Big Rivers : Central Australia : East Arnhem : Greater Darwin
Australian Capital Territory
Tasmania
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