The National Pulse Expansion, Improvement, and Adoption Program – Southern Region Pulse Research, Demonstration, and Extension

⁠⁠⁠Overview

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is inviting tenders for the National Pulse Expansion, Improvement, and Adoption Program, Southern Region Pulse Research, Demonstration, and Extension. GRDC is investing in a new Southern Region investment to improve the profitability and adoption of pulse crops within farming systems.

About

Pulses are already an important component of Southern Region farming systems, with recent growth driven by lentil production in Victoria and South Australia and expansion into new environments. As pulse intensity increases, constraints such as soil acidity and subsoil limitations, herbicide resistance and residue risks, greater disease pressure under tighter pulse sequences, and seasonal variability are becoming more prominent. These challenges, along with emerging opportunities, are identified in GRDC's pulse crop improvement plans.

Purpose

The investment is intended to address the constraints and opportunities identified in GRDC's pulse crop improvement plans by combining rigorous field research with practical, paddock-scale learning, using a regional "hub and spoke" model.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Delivery of hub site research targeting key pulse knowledge gaps
• Delivery of spoke site activities, including locally relevant trials, demonstrations, field days and workshops that support growers and advisers
• Generation of high-quality industry datasets from hub and spoke activities
• Setting of annual priorities for each agroecological zone in conjunction with the Regional Pulse Advisory Committee and relevant grower and adviser networks
• Drawing on expertise from the National Pulse Coordination and Strategy Program in agronomy, crop protection, rhizobia, soils, trial design, data analysis, extension and markets
• Retaining flexibility to respond as regional priorities and opportunities evolve

Eligibility

• GRDC will not accept Tenders from Consortia

Tender Briefing

An industry briefing will be held for this opportunity.

• Date: 19 August 2026
• Time: 1:00 pm Canberra Local Time
• Format: Virtual briefing (Microsoft Teams Meeting)

Attendee numbers will not be restricted. To register, provide your name and email address to Tenders@grdc.com.au by 18 August 2026. Refer to Clause 10 RFT Terms and Conditions for details on how to register.

Instructions to Tenderers

Offers will remain open for acceptance by GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time.

Submit your tender response electronically through the Grains Investment Portal.

Make all requests for further information or clarification in relation to this procurement in writing (email) prior to 15 September 2026. GRDC will publish all requests and responses to requests on the GRDC website under Questions and Answers at the bottom of the relevant webpage.

• Enquiry deadline: Tuesday 15 September 2026, at 05:00 PM (Australian Eastern Standard Time)

Enquiries

• Attention: Brianna Oram, Grains Research and Development Corporation
• Email: tenders@grdc.com.au