The AgriFutures Export Fodder Program is seeking a qualified provider to conduct a detailed evaluation of the current annual ryegrass toxicity assay and the development of alternative assays and guidance on potential changes to the current sampling system.
This Request for Quote closes on Tuesday, 28 January 2025 at 5pm (AEDT).
Background
The Australian export fodder industry is now worth more than $500million a year. The industry’s growth in the past 30 years has been based on producing and supplying a world leading product to valuable customers around the world. To protect and enhance Australia’s reputation as a global leader in the supply of fodder, the industry has put in place a number of measures to ensure the purity of the hay and its ongoing status of being free of physical, chemical or biological contamination.
Annual Ryegrass Toxicity (ARGT) is caused by the seed-gall nematode Anguina funesta which carries the bacterium Rathayibadter toxicus which produces a corynetoxin in annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) seed heads. Whilst ARGT or something similar occurs in various grasses around the world, its occurrence in Australia is, in general, diminishing but this does vary from season to season and between regions. Several decades ago, Australian scientists developed and perfected a world leading assay to detect the presence of ARGT in Australian Hay prior to export. This assay is based on an Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) which offers great sensitivity but is quite costly for the sampling, preparation and completion of the Assay.
The Australian export fodder industry is absolutely committed to upholding the highest standards of product integrity but is interested to have an evaluation of the current ARGT ELISA and to investigate if a nucleic acid based or other type assay could be utilised to provide a lower cost alternative for testing Australian hay. This investigation and possible development is the first stage of the review into ARGT detection in Australian Hay. Depending on Stage 1 results there may be a Stage 2 to examine ‘in field’ and ‘in shed’ sampling technique and frequency and the possibility of using the same samples that are used for quantitative quality assessments. This RFQ only relates to the first stage – the review of, and the possible development of alternative(s) to, the current ARGT test assay.
Download the full Request for Quote document
Timeline
Activity |
Date |
RFQ – applications open |
Monday, 9 December 2024 |
End of period for questions or requests for information |
Tuesday, 21 January 2025 |
RFQ – applications close |
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 |
Intended completion date of evaluation of respondents responses |
Tuesday, 18 February 2025 |
Negotiations with respondents (if applicable) |
N/A |
Expected execution of contract or issue of agreement |
February/March 2025 |
Date of commencement of Project |
March 2025 |
Evaluation criteria
A respondent’s response will be evaluated against:
(a) The evaluation criteria identified in the table below; and
(b) The overall proposition presented in the respondent’s response.
Mandatory Requirements |
Complies |
ABN |
Yes/No |
Are you a government approved service provider? |
Yes/No |
Testimonials/references |
Yes/No |
Cost and value for money |
Yes/No |
Desirable Requirements |
Complies |
Provide examples of your Organisation’s ability to provide a similar service. |
Yes/No |
Other Evaluation Criteria |
|
(a) Professional Expression of Interest Proposal |
|
(b) Organisation’s capability and resources |
|
(c) History of providing similar service |
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 – including timelines, how the project will be conducted and how this will meet the requirements of the RFQ, including clear take home messages for industry.
- A detailed budget – attachments may be included.
- Examples of similar work the respondent has completed.
- Capability and relevant experience.
- Suggested members of a steering committee for the project, noting that AgriFutures will nominate 3 members to the steering committee of the successful project.
The resultant contract is expected to commence in February/March 2025.
New users need to register for access to the K2 platform, please note the provision of login details may take up to two business days.
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 applicant round is open.
To find out more about how to make a submission refer to the Request for Quotation document.
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. 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 Service Provider 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:
James Holding
Manager, Levied Industries – Export Fodder Program
Email:
Ph: 0438 889 492
Contact
Should you have any questions about the Request for Quotation, please direct all enquires to the AgriFutures Export Fodder Program (details below) prior to 5pm on Tuesday, 21 January 2025 (for questions relating to making a submission in K2, please email ).
A member from the Export Fodder Program team will take questions via email. Individual responses to questions relating to the Request for Quotation will not be provided by the Coordinator or Program Manager. A response, along with the question, will be posted in the Frequently Asked Questions section, below, within 24 hours of receival.
Please contact:
James Holding
Manager, Levied Industries – Export Fodder Program
Email:
Ph: 0438 889 492