Request for Tender (RFT) – AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program

⁠⁠⁠This Request for Tender (RFT) is seeking services to undertake one or both parts of Phase two of the post-mortem of pregnancy loss project funded by AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program.

Mid to late term pregnancy loss is a critical issue for the Australian thoroughbred horse industry. Causes of pregnancy loss have not been investigated on a national level and undertaking appropriate post-mortems of aborted foetuses is not possible in several Australia’s largest thoroughbred breeding areas. The current Phase One project commenced in 2019 (ending 2023), funded through the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program is developing a system to investigate and record the pathology of mid to late term pregnancy losses in thoroughbred mares throughout Australia. In this project, the frequency, pathology, different causes and risk factors for equine pregnancy loss in Australia will be determined. Diagnostic criteria will be developed for all known causes of pregnancy loss, and a standardised procedure will be described to investigate all losses. This will enable the development of online written, verbal and video training tools in the techniques for post-mortem and histopathological examination of the foetus and foetal membranes. These tools will assist veterinarians and pathologists to thoroughly investigate equine pregnancy losses. Phase Two of the post-mortem project will link Phase one, with a pilot a post-mortem approach outside of the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, to form a national understanding of this issue.

The aim of this RFT is to provide AgriFutures Australia with two distinct sub-projects for the Phase two of the late term pregnancy loss project. The two sub-projects are:

1. Part A – Linking project – linking Phase One and Phase Two of the post-mortem of pregnancy loss in thoroughbred horses. This project will drive engagement with veterinarians, laboratories, and thoroughbred mare owners/studs to develop a pathway for post-mortems to occur in Southern NSW, Southern QLD, and Northern VIC.
2. Part B – National pilot post-mortem project – organising and delivering funding to studs/mare owners to undertake post-mortems of late term pregnancy foetus abortions, and collate results of analysis of post-mortem test results.

Individuals or organisations making a submission are required to contact the Manager, Research for further details and a project plan. A budget attachment must also be provided as part of the application.