AgriFutures Australia is seeking applications from appropriate individuals and organisations who can support our work engaging with First Nations communities and stakeholders.

Submissions close 5pm AEST Friday, 4 July 2025.

Background

AgriFutures Australia is committed to working respectfully and collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise the importance of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and are seeking to establish a selection of Indigenous suppliers who can support our work engaging with First Nations communities and stakeholders.

These suppliers will be engaged on an as-needs basis to provide advice, services, and expertise in areas involving Indigenous engagement, cultural protocols, and ICIP-related considerations across our research, projects, and organisational activities.

Download full RFQ document

Service Requirements

We are seeking quotations from businesses, consultants, and organisations that are owned and operated by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, or can otherwise demonstrate a significant, meaningful connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, to provide one or more of the following services:

• Indigenous stakeholder engagement and facilitation
• Cultural advisory services
• Community consultation and co-design
• Support in obtaining free, prior and informed consent
• Guidance on traditional ownership and cultural protocols
• Advising on and implementing best practice standards for engagement with First Nations peoples and First Nations ICIP
• ICIP advice and integration into project design
• Preparation of Access and Benefit Sharing agreements
• Cultural competence training and awareness for internal teams
• Facilitating oversight of First Nations engagement in projects, including comprehensive communication and reporting between all project stakeholders.

The primary objectives of this RFQ are to:

• Establish a diverse, skilled and culturally competent list of Indigenous suppliers to support AgriFutures Australia in projects that involve or impact First Nations peoples and communities.
• Ensure that all engagements with First Nations peoples are underpinned by the principles of:
  • Respect: Culturally respectful engagement and communication.
  • Self-determination: Empowering Indigenous leadership and voice.
  • Collaboration, Consultation and Consent: Transparent, ethical, and inclusive processes.
  • Interpretation and Authenticity: Honouring how First Nations people wish to share and represent their knowledge and culture.
  • Cultural Integrity: Following correct protocols and respecting gendered, sacred or restricted knowledge.
  • Attribution and Benefit Sharing: Ensuring appropriate recognition and equitable outcomes.

All successful suppliers will be expected to uphold these principles in their work with AgriFutures Australia.

We also request information on how your organisation ensures appropriate attribution, protection of sensitive knowledge, and equitable benefit-sharing in relation to the use of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP).

Timeline

Submissions

Summary

Provide a summary highlighting how your organisation’s approach and services are a best fit for provision of the above services.

Please provide testimonials or references from companies that you have provided a similar service.

Submitting a response

Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted to the designated project contact officer.

Respondent’s will be expected to provide:

Clear description of the services they offer, areas of expertise, geographic reach, and any relevant experience working with First Nations communities and stakeholders.

• Key personnel and their expertise
• Detailed rates, fee structure and/or pricing model
• Examples of similar work the respondent has completed
• Information on how your organisation aligns with the principles outlined above
• Capability and relevant experience.

It is expected that a contract will be awarded based on how well a respondent addresses the objectives of the tender. Selection will be based on the evaluation criteria.

How to make a submission

Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted to the designated project contact manager. Abbey O’Callaghan, .

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

Contact

If you have any questions about the RFQ process or requirements in the management services, please contact:

Abbey O’Callaghan
Manager, Projects