Background

The viability of the Australian chicken meat industry depends on maintaining good health, welfare, and biosecurity outcomes. Animal welfare is a high priority, with the industry committed to best practices ensuring chickens are healthy, comfortable, and able to express natural behaviours. Approximately 95% of Australia’s meat chickens are grown under third-party welfare accreditation schemes like the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme and Free Range Egg and Poultry Australia (FREPA) standards. These standards, aim to provide optimal living conditions and humane treatment throughout the supply chain. These requirements are subject to constant internal monitoring programs, as well as regular external assessment and audit processes.

This request for quote is seeking the development of an alternate industry welfare standard (for third-party accreditation) that delivers the Australian chicken meat industry with a welfare standard promoting genuine welfare improvements while being practical, science-based, economically sustainable and aligned with industry and community expectations.

The output delivered should contain detail including standards and associated performance indicators for areas such as, but not limited to:

• Hatchery requirements
• Welfare management requirements
• Biosecurity requirements
• Processing requirements
• Flock/Bird health requirements
• Housing and husbandry
• Transport and handling
• Traceability

The standards developed should:

• Be outcomes-based targets that are scientifically validated
• Consider the identification of relevant regulatory and industry standards (including international standards
• Include a scientific literature review
• Consider the commercial implementation of standards
• Be able to adapt to industry changes
• Promote awareness and compliance within industry
• Include/demonstrate extensive industry and technical expertise consultation
• Identify governance structures and processes required to support the monitoring and evaluation of the standards
• Be independently verifiable

The indicative timeframe of completion of the project from commencement is a maximum of nine months.

Applications close at 1pm AEDT on Monday, 24 November 2025.

Download full RFQ document

Timeline

Evaluation criteria

A respondent’s response will be evaluated against:

1. The evaluation criteria identified in the table below; and
2. The overall proposition presented in the respondent’s response.

Submitting an application

Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted online using the application in K2.

Respondent’s will be expected to provide:

• A detailed project plan describing how the proposal will meet the requirements of the RFQ – including;
  • The process/methodology to describe how the project will be conducted
  • A project timeline
  • Indicative consultation with key industry stakeholders and a project steering committee
  • Clear articulation of the final output(s) and their dissemination to industry, this may include tools, communication materials and summaries of report findings
  • Delivery of any draft outputs from the project to allow modification and refinement based on stakeholder feedback
• A detailed budget – attachments may be included.
• Examples of similar work the respondent has completed.
• Capability and relevant experience.

The resultant contract is expected to commence on Friday, 27 February 2025.

It is expected that a contract will be awarded based on how well a respondent addresses the objectives of the open tender. Selection will be based on the evaluation criteria. A detailed response will be beneficial. There is the opportunity to include additional attachments if necessary with your application in K2.

Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted online using the application in K2.

Click here to login to 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

Terms of Reference

AgriFutures Australia uses standard form contracts and agreements for projects and research procured by AgriFutures Australia (please refer to https://agrifutures.com.au/contracts-and-agreements/). 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:

AgriFutures Legal Support at

Contact

Should you have any questions about the Open Call, please direct all enquires to Stacey Gardiner, Acting Manager, Chicken Meat Program prior to Monday, 17 November 2025 (for questions relating to making a submission in K2, please email ).

The Manager will take questions via email. Individual responses to questions relating to the Open Call will not be provided by the Manager. A response, along with the question, will be posted in the Frequently Asked Questions section, below, within 24 hours of receival.

Please contact:

Stacey Gardiner
Acting Manager, Chicken Meat Program
Email:
Phone: 0447 036 709