A Systems Thinking Approach to Australian Agriculture
Tender ID: 585076
Tender Details
Tender Description
AgriFutures Australia is seeking applications from appropriately skilled and experienced individuals and organisations for the provision of the project A systems thinking approach to Australian agriculture.
Background
The document discusses Australia’s research and development (R&D) system, which is internationally recognised for its collaborative and industry-aligned structure. Central to this system are the Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs), which operate under a co-investment model combining industry funding with government support. This approach ensures that research is grounded in real-world challenges and delivers practical benefits for rural industries while also aligning with broader national priorities.
Despite these achievements, there is a significant gap in how the agricultural innovation system operates, particularly in the application of systems thinking and the facilitation of multisector collaboration. Australia faces increasingly complex and interconnected challenges, such as food and water security, climate adaptation, energy transition, and regional resilience, which cannot be effectively addressed through traditional, sector-specific approaches.- Conduct a global scan to identify and analyse innovation systems where agriculture is a central driver of change.
- Focus on both successful and unsuccessful implementations to inform Australia’s innovation architecture.
- Key areas include identifying countries with mature innovation frameworks, examining cross-sector collaborations and analysing policy settings.
- Deliverables include a synthesis of global best practices, strategic insights for Australia and recommendations on policy levers and infrastructure investments.
- Map agriculture’s most complex challenges and their intersection with national priorities.
- Identify opportunities where agriculture can act as a strategic enabler of systems change.
- Focus areas include identifying systemic challenges, analysing enabling conditions and prioritising areas for catalytic innovation.
- Deliverables include a systems map, prioritised analysis and guidance on operationalising multi-sector collaboration.
Date | Activity |
Monday, 14 April 2025 | RFQ – applications open |
Wednesday, 7 May 2025 | End of period for questions or requests for information |
Wednesday, 28 May 2025 | Intended completion date of evaluation of respondents responses |
Thursday, 5 June 2025 | Expected execution of contract or issue of agreement |
Tuesday, 1 July 2025 | Date of commencement of Project |
Friday, 30 June 2028 | Expected project completion date |
How to make a submission
Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted online using the application in K2.
Users must create a K2 account before submitting a proposal. To set up a secure account before submitting a proposal, please visit the login page below to access our new user or new company request forms.
Usernames and passwords will only be issued while the applicable round is open.
K2 guides and login | AgriFutures Australia
If you require assistance, please contact helpdesk@agrifutures.com.au
Terms of reference
AgriFutures Australia uses standard form contracts and agreements for projects and research procured by AgriFutures Australia. These contracts and agreements set out the terms on which AgriFutures Australia will engage successful applicants to carry out the project.
Applicants must be familiar with the contracts and agreements before submitting a response and are advised to seek legal advice beforehand.
These contracts and agreements have been developed to reflect AgriFutures Australia’s statutory and other procurement responsibilities.
If you require any amendments to the standard agreement, please complete the statement of non-compliance for each of the relevant clause. AgriFutures will then assess those requests.
Applicants will be taken to have agreed to all clauses in the Research Agreement that are not referred to in a statement of non-compliance. The extent of any non-compliance will be a factor in AgriFutures Australia’s evaluation of the application.
If you require further information regarding these contracts and agreements, please, contact:
Stephanie-Kate Bratton
Legal Counsel, AgriFutures Australia
stephanie-kate.bratton@agrifutures.com.au
Contact
If you have any questions about the RFQ process or requirements in the management services, please contact:
- Jane Knights, Senior Manager, Rural Futures
- Ulicia Raufers, Senior Manager, Rural Futures