Understanding GRDC's opportunities to leverage existing data repositories and facilitate data aggregation

GRDC’s Strategy for RD&E Data Management aims to enhance the visibility and accessibility of GRDC’s distributed data assets, which are stored in “Approved” repositories. These repositories primarily include institutional repositories operated by universities and state government departments. Where institutional options are not available, GRDC recommends the use of Zenodo, a publicly funded research data repository suitable for datasets up to 50 GB.

In addition, GRDC recognises the value of third-party repositories focused on defined scientific domains (e.g., AusPestCheck and the Atlas of Living Australia for pest occurrence data, or the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for genetic data). These repositories often require metadata in a specific schema and adherence to data standards, which enhances interoperability and enables aggregation within a discipline. For this reason, use of third-party repositories is often preferable.

Currently, there is an information gap regarding which institutional and third-party repositories are being used by GRDC research partners and whether these meet the criteria for “Approved Repositories” under GRDC’s RD&E Data Management Framework. Addressing this gap is a critical first step toward:

(a) Assessing opportunities for aggregating GRDC RD&E datasets.

(b) Leveraging existing datasets for greater value.

(c) Developing strategies to support future data aggregation.

Requirement:

GRDC seeks an independent consultant to:

1 Assess current repositories and platforms used by GRDC research partners across relevant domains.

2 Determine whether third-party repositories meet GRDC’s criteria as “Approved Repositories.”

3 Recommend a fit-for-purpose, interoperable aggregation strategy for GRDC RD&E datasets.

The consultant will deliver a desktop analysis that informs a framework for integrating institutional and third-party repositories into GRDC’s RD&E Data Management Framework. The framework must align with FAIR principles to:

(a) Improve accessibility of GRDC RD&E datasets.

(b) Enable cross-investment insights.

(c) Maximise the impact of GRDC’s RD&E investments.

Conditions for Participation:

The following are mandatory conditions with which a Tenderer must comply to participate in this procurement process:

1 The Tenderer must be a single legal entity or recognised firm of partners except where the Tender is submitted by a consortium and the Tender specifies that each member of the proposed consortium will be party to the contract.

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.

The following are the mandatory content and format requirements that the Tenderer must complete and provide to participate in this procurement process:

1 Submit Tenders using the Grains Investment Portal.

2 Write Tenders in English and express any measurements in Australian legal units of measurement.

3 Budget details can be provided within the proposal document (Grains Investment Portal Budget Template not required).

Timeframe for Delivery:

Two years (December 2025 to December 2027)

Address for Lodgement:

Please submit your application through the Grains Investment Portal: https://access.grdc.com.au/