The biosecurity surveillance system for the grains industry: A gaps and opportunity analysis

⁠⁠⁠To ensure the long-term viability and sustainability of the Australian grains industry, it is important to mitigate risks associated with exotic pests and effectively respond to plant pest threats. This necessitates an efficient and robust biosecurity surveillance system for grains pests and diseases, which maximises the probability of early detection of exotic incursions, thereby reducing eradication costs and increasing their likelihood of success. Additionally, this system can provide evidence of absence data to support trade.

Many surveillance programs for exotic and endemic grain pests and diseases currently exist yet often operate independently, leading to possible duplication and fragmentation. To address this and other challenges, the National Grain Biosecurity Surveillance Strategy 2019 - 2029 was developed to guide leadership, management and coordination of surveillance activities for high priority grain pests and pests of market access concern. Additionally, a broader Nationally Integrated Surveillance System for Plant Pests is being developed but is yet to be finalised.

GRDC is investing in a consultancy to review gaps and opportunities in the grains biosecurity surveillance system. This analysis will consider national strategies, implementation plans, and industry needs, involving consultation with diverse stakeholders in the grains industry and biosecurity sector.

Ultimately, a nationally coordinated grains biosecurity surveillance system is required that delivers services in the most cost-efficient manner. This objective may be achieved through improved coordination and expansion of existing surveillance activities, or by exploring alternative models. The second component of this consultancy is to provide business cases relating to the gaps analysis and future opportunities. An understanding of the costs associated with potential future surveillance models and their reciprocal benefits is required. The successful tenderer will collaborate with the GRDC economics team to deliver this output.

Other Instructions:

For all details and to apply to this RFT please go to the GRDC Website:

https://grdc.com.au/research/partnering-in-rde-investment/opportunities/current-opportunities

Conditions for Participation:

1 The Tenderer must be a single legal entity or recognised firm of partners

2 The Tenderer and any proposed subcontractor must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and any other applicable labour laws and standards in the jurisdiction in which they operate.

3 The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not have a judicial decision against it (not including decisions under appeal) relating to employee entitlements and who have not paid the claim.

4 The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not be named on the Consolidated List, being the list of persons and entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans under Australian sanction laws, as maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Timeframe for Delivery: 12 months

Address for Lodgement: Submit your Tender response electronically directly with GRDC through the Grains Investment Portal only at: https://access.grdc.com.au