Request for Quote: Identification of Emerging Industries for RD&E Investment

The AgriFutures Emerging Industries Program is seeking an experienced service provider to develop and apply criteria to identify emerging industries for RD&E investment.

Background

Australian researchers undertake some of the world’s leading research, development and extension (RD&E) in agriculture. Australian scientists and farmers are world-renowned for their ability to develop innovative solutions to challenges in primary industries.

AgriFutures emerging industries investments support a diverse range of up-and-coming rural industries. These investments in research, development and extension (RD&E) aim to help emerging industries grow and reach new markets in Australia and internationally. This is reflected in the AgriFutures Research and Innovation Strategic Plan 2022-2027, which includes a priority to drive the growth or development of emerging, high-potential rural industries.

The objective of this work will be to identify new and emerging industries which:

• Are well-suited to Australia’s unique growing conditions and social, ecological, technological, legal, and economic environment.
• Will be beneficial to Australia’s future.
• Will respond well to RD&E investment.

This project is proposed to be conducted in four stages:

Stage 1: Targeted literature and data review, including the collation, synthesis, and critical appraisal of previous assessments, foresight studies, industry scans, and governments reports, international analogues, and relevant ‘grey’ literature, including on current and future trends in Australian agriculture, based on climatic, social, environmental, technological, legal, and economic dimensions.

Stage 2: Development and validation of assessment framework, with criteria including, but not limited to, production feasibility, market potential, alignment with industry development framework, comparative advantage, resilience, and risk. Where relevant, criteria can be adapted from international emerging industries programs to ensure alignment with global best practice.

Stage 3: Industry identification, including the application of criteria to identify emerging industries with potential for RD&E investment. This process will include a shortlist of industries which meet the minimum threshold criteria and those which have been identified for incremental or transformational opportunities, as well as those with cross-sectoral and enabling opportunities.

Stage 4: Synthesis and delivery, including a clear, prioritised list of 5-10 emerging industries, with a detailed rationale for industries which have high potential to flourish in response to RD&E investment.

Project deliverables

• A monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER) progress report for Stages 1 and 2 synthesising key outputs.
• Testing and validation with key stakeholders via workshops and presentations, including with AgriFutures Australia, for outputs from Stages 2 and 3.
• A final report which provides a clear, concise, prioritised list to AgriFutures of 5-10 recommended emerging industries, with detailed rationale for industries which have high potential to flourish in Australia in response to RD&E investment.

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

Email: stephanie-kate.bratton@agrifutures.com.au

Contact

If you have any questions about the RFQ process, please contact:

Hamish Litt

Manager, Emerging Industries

Email: Hamish.litt@agrifutures.com.au