Background

The current AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Plan is nearing the end of its term. As part of the end-of-plan process, AgriFutures Australia requires an economic evaluation of the implementation of the Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Plan (2022-2027) to date.

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is seeking services from an individual or organisation to undertake an end-of-plan cost-benefit analysis of the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Plan (2022-2027) in accordance with the Council of Rural Research and Development Corporations’ (CRRDC) guidelines.

The outcome of this project is to provide AgriFutures Australia with a report that details the overall benefit-cost ratio for investments made during the life of the Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Plan and evaluates how those investments aligned with the plan’s priorities. It should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Inform industry, the community and government about the return on investment (ROI) of the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program.
• Support RD&E planning and decision-making by detailing current progress towards the priorities and outcomes of the Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Plan.
• Signal to researchers, collaborators and industry stakeholders how current investments are performing in addressing the Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Plan.
• Ensure good governance and transparency in the administration and management of the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program.
  Conduct a full benefit-cost analysis of the investments made over the five years of the plan.

Individuals or organisations making a submission are required to have an understanding the methodology behind RDC research, development and extension strategic plans and the CRRDC impact assessment guidelines.

This Request for Quote closes on Friday, 23 October 2026 at 12 pm AEDT.

Download the full Request for Quote

Project requirements

The following tasks are to be completed:

• Assess the performance and alignment of investments to the Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Plan (2022-2027) using the Council for Rural Research Development Corporations (CRRDC) framework.
• Use targeted interviews to understand how investments made under the current plan meet the expectations and priorities of the Thoroughbred industry.
• Conduct a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) to quantify the economic benefits generated by the program’s investments in RD&E. This includes a robust BCA to estimate the program’s overall benefit-cost ratio (BCR).
• The evaluation approach should identify and briefly describe the impact pathway of each investment through a logical framework, including the activities, outputs, outcomes and realised or potential impacts.
• Suggest any gaps in the existing monitoring and evaluation plan for implementation through the remainder of the project. Provide a report to AgriFutures outlining the success of the plan to date, recommended changes, and recommended investment.

The final deliverables will include a report and presentation to the Thoroughbred Horses RD&E Advisory Panel and key industry stakeholders. The final report must be a professional document suitable for a wide range of stakeholders, including the AgriFutures Australia Board, the thoroughbred industry, the industry’s RD&E Advisory Panel, and the Australian Government.

Project deliverables

• A Draft Report with raw data to be provided to the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program Manager for review.
• Review comments and feedback will be incorporated in a Final Report and delivered to AgriFutures Australia.
• Project summary document to be published on the AgriFutures website
•  A presentation of key findings to the Thoroughbred Horses Program RD&E Advisory Panel and key industry stakeholders

Following execution of contract, or at the project inception meeting, AgriFutures Australia will provide project information and researcher contact details for all projects falling within the scope of the impact assessment.

Timeline

Submitting a response

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 (methodology) and how this will meet the requirements of the RFQ. Addressing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timebound) milestones aligned to the deliverables of the project.
• Project Team & Experience: An overview of the key personnel who will be assigned to the project, including their qualifications and relevant experience in conducting economic analyses for the agricultural sector or RDCs.
• A detailed budget – attachments may be included.
• Examples of similar work the organisation/respondent has completed.
• Capability and relevant experience.

The resultant Contract is expected to commence on Monday, 9 November 2026.

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 with your application in K2 if necessary.

How to make a submission
Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted online using the application in K2.

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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.

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Evaluation criteria

A respondent’s response will be evaluated against:

(a) The evaluation criteria identified in the tables below; and

(b) The overall proposition presented in the respondent’s response.

Terms of reference

AgriFutures Australia uses standard form contracts and agreements for projects and research procured by AgriFutures Australia (please refer to https://www.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 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
Stephanie-Kate Bratton, General Counsel via email .

Contact

Questions and requests for information about the RFQ should be directed to the Coordinator, Levied Industries prior to 12 noon (AEDT), Tuesday 13 October 2026 (for questions relating to making a submission in K2, please email ).

The Coordinator, Levied Industries will take questions via email or phone. Individual responses to questions relating to the RFQ will not be provided by the Coordinator or Manager. A response, along with the question, will be posted in the Frequently Asked Questions section, below.

Contact:
Joanna Kimber
Coordinator, Levied Industries
(02) 6923 6922