AUSTRALIA.

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is seeking applications from suitably qualified parties to undertake a review of its performance and provide recommendations for improvement.

Submissions for this RFQ close at 5pm AEST on Friday, 18 August 2023.

Background:

The PIRD Act section 33(3) & (4) establish the requirement for a Funding Agreement between Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) trading as AgriFutures Australia (AgriFutures), and the Government.

Clause 9.6 of the Funding Agreement 2020-2030 requires AgriFutures from time to time (but no more often than once every three years) to obtain, at AgriFutures’ expense, an independent review of AgriFutures’ performance against the Performance Principles.

The Corporation invites applications for the provision of the Independent Performance Review of AgriFutures Australia in accordance with this Request for Quote (RFQ).

Timeline:

Activity: Date

RFQ – applications open: Friday, 30 June 2023

RFQ – applications close: Friday, 18 August 2023

Completion date of evaluation of respondents’ responses: Friday, 1 September 2023

Interviews with shortlisted parties: 4-29 September 2023

Expected execution of contract or issue of agreement: 13 October 2023

Date of commencement of Project: 16 October 2023

Inception meeting (project scoping and mutual agreement of assessment criteria, AgriFutures’ input requirements [including access to documentation, personnel, stakeholders to be interviewed] output requirements, finalisation of timeframes and scheduling of regular progress update meetings): 16 October 2023

Data collection, desktop review, stakeholder interviews, analysis & report preparation: 16 October 2023 to 19 January 2024

Present preliminary findings to AgriFutures management in a workshop setting: 1 February 2024

Submit Draft Report to AgriFutures: 15 February 2024

Present Draft Report and findings to AgriFutures board: 13-14 March 2024

Provide feedback to consultant on the Draft Report: 28 March 2024

Report to DAFF on progress: April 2024

Finalise Draft Report based on AgriFutures feedback: 11 April 2024

Provide DAFF with a copy of the draft report and any AgriFutures board comments: 18 April 2024

Final Report submitted to AgriFutures, together with a summary of the report for AgriFutures website and a presentation version of the report for delivery to stakeholders: 8 May 2024

AgriFutures board acceptance of the report at June Board Meeting: 5-6 June 2024

Provide the final report to DAFF (within 14 days of acceptance by AgriFutures board): 20 June 2024

Expected project completion date: 30 June 2024

Project requirements & deliverables:

AgriFutures is seeking applications from suitably qualified parties to undertake a review of its performance and provide recommendations for improvement. Specifically, the Performance Review is to be based on the Terms of Reference, as detailed in the full RFQ document.

This review should be able to look at AgriFutures operations with a fresh perspective, and assess all facets of the business, including, but not limited to:

· The performance of AgriFutures in meeting its obligations and priorities, legislatively and as directed by the Commonwealth.

· Development and implementation of its Research & Innovation Strategic Plan 2022-2027 and individual industry RD&E strategic plans, including if investments have met the needs of stakeholders.

· Assess the efficiency and effectiveness with which AgriFutures conducts its business and achieves its strategic objectives.

· Consulting with levy payers and other stakeholder, assess if current processes are fit for purpose, encapsulating best practice for stakeholder engagement, and approaching business with a ‘excellence in customer service’ lens.

· Assess AgriFutures’ implementation of actions taken to address feedback/recommendations from its previous Independent Review (2018-19)

How to make a submission:

Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted to the designated project contact officer (named below).

Respondents will be expected to provide:

· A detailed project plan – including timelines, how the project will be conducted and how this will meet the requirements of the RFQ.

· A detailed budget – attachments may be included.

· Examples of similar work the respondent has completed.

· Capability and relevant experience.

The resultant Contract is expected to commence on 13 October 2023. It is expected that a contract will be awarded based on how well a respondent addresses the objectives of the tender. Selection will be based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the following section. A detailed response will be beneficial.

Contact:

Applications and further questions regarding this Request for Quote must be submitted to the designated project contact:

Jessica Grant, Manager, Governance and Compliance, Phone: (02) 6923-6904, Email: jessica.grant@agrifutures.com.au