This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is seeking services to review and assess the impact of AgriFutures Australia investment in the AgriFutures National Rural Issues Program from 2016-2020.

The AgriFutures National Rural Issues Program is a core activity under the strategy of National Challenges and Opportunities that focuses on issues common across rural sectors.

Background

Australian rural industries are faced with challenges and opportunities that are both industry-specific and common across industries. Unlike other Research & Development Corporations (RDCs), AgriFutures Australia manages RD&E for a diverse portfolio of rural industries and is uniquely placed to drive cross-sectoral investment.

In order to facilitate cross-sector investment, AgriFutures Australia has engaged with its partner RDCs to collaborate and invest in agricultural research and innovation. To guide this process, AgriFutures Australia conducts an annual Emerging National Rural Issues (ENRI) forum that engages RDCs, National Farmers’ Federation and Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water & the Environment to identify, prioritise and commission research.

Service requirements

The aim of this project is to provide AgriFutures Australia, and its partners, with an economic, environmental and social assessment of the outcomes of the National Rural Issues Program.

The key deliverables of this project are to provide AgriFutures Australia with a rigorous cost-benefit analysis that will:

Inform industry, RDC’s, the community and Government about the net benefits derived from investment in the AgriFutures National Rural Issues

Support RD&E planning and decision-making, through detailing returns on investment from past AgriFutures National Rural Issues Program investments (2016-2020).

Impact assessment methodologies should be sourced from the Cross-RDC Impact Assessment Program: Guidelines and AgriFutures Australia Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (MER) Framework.

Individuals or organisations making a submission are required to have a deep knowledge and understanding of rural industry policies and programs and the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector.

Project deliverables

The results of this work are to be presented in a final report. The final report will be developed using AgriFutures Australia’s National Rural Issues report template. No design costs should be built into the quotation.

Timeline

Date Activity

23 October 2020 RFQ applications open

11 November 2020 RFQ applications close at 12noon (AEDT)

4 December 2020 Expected execution of contract or issue of agreement (start date)

5 February 2021 Expected project completion date

If a longer timeframe is required, the Tenderer should explain why that is the case.

Terms and conditions

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.

AgriFutures Australia Provider Agreement

How to make a submission

AgriFutures Australia business with the applicant is facilitated by the online project management system Clarity. This system manages all stages of project administration.

Quotation’s must be submitted online using Clarity. As part of their submission, respondents are required to attach the completed milestone template in Clarity.

Users must create a Clarity account before submitting a proposal.

If you have previously submitted an application via Clarity please use your existing name and password alternatively if your organisation already exists in Clarity, please use the New User Request online form and we will assign your profile to that organisation.

New User Request

If your Research Organisation does not already exist in Clarity, or you are unsure, please use the New User and Company Creation Request to create a New Research Organisation and User account simultaneously.

New User and Company Creation Request

Submissions close Wednesday, 11 November 2020 at 12noon (AEDT).

Clarity user guide – submitting a RFQ

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Contact

If you have any questions about the RFQ process or requirements in the management services, please contact:

Jane Lovell

Manager, National Rural Issues

jane.lovell@agrifutures.com.au