Background

AgriFutures Australia has long-term, established relationships and strong networks with the Australian honey bee industry. The program invests in research, development and extension, to foster a more productive, sustainable and profitable Australian beekeeping industry.

Within this program, AgriFutures Australia also supports the pollination of Australia’s horticultural and agricultural crops. About two-thirds of Australian agricultural production benefits from insect pollination, most of which is provided by honey bees. Apiarists across the country produce almost 40,000 tonnes of honey per year, with the commercial and recreational sectors contributing $623.8 million to the Australian economy. The value of pollination services provided by honey bees is estimated to contribute $4.6 billion to the Australian economy each year.

The Biosecurity Plan for the honey bee industry outlines the commitment between the industry and government to improve biosecurity. The Plan is a framework to coordinate biosecurity activities and investments for Australia’s honey bee industry. It provides a mechanism for industry, governments and stakeholders to better prepare for and respond to, incursions of pests that could have significant impacts on the honey bee industry. The Biosecurity Plan also details current mitigation and surveillance activities being undertaken and identifies contingency plans, fact sheets and diagnostic protocols that have been developed for pests relevant to the honey bee industry. The collation of this information helps inform industry’s preparedness needs into the future.

The Biosecurity Plan is principally designed for decision makers. It provides the Australian honey bee industry and government with a mechanism to identify exotic pests as well as to address the strengths and weaknesses of the honey bee industry’s current biosecurity position. The Plan identifies and prioritises exotic high priority pest species (not currently present in Australia) and established pests of biosecurity concern and focus on future biosecurity challenges. Following the incursion of an exotic pest species into Australia, threat specific industry agreed contingency plans help to determine government response. These threat specific contingency plans provide background information on pest biology and available control measures to assist with preparedness for an incursion into Australia.

Service requirements

The key activities undertaken by the successful provider will include:

• Review and update the 2020 to 2025 Biosecurity Plan for the honey bee industry so that it is fit-for-purpose.
• Review, update and develop contingency plans for the top five ranked exotic high priority pest species to the Australian honey bee industry, as determined by the updated Biosecurity Plan.
• Stakeholder consultation and engagement. The Biosecurity and Contingency Plans are to be developed in consultation with bee health and biosecurity experts, as well as industry representatives and peak industry bodies.

The expected timeframe for completion from commencement is up to 12 months.

Download full guidelines here

Timeline

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.

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 and the proposed milestone/reporting cycle, how the project will be conducted and how this will meet the requirements of the RFQ.
• A detailed budget (differentiating salary, oncosts, travel, communications etc) – attachments may be included.
  Examples of similar work the respondent has completed, including appropriate references who can be contacted to verify.
• Capability and relevant experience
• The resultant Contract is expected to commence in May 2026 and is expected to run for a total of two years (concluding in 2028)

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

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://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

Contact

If you have any questions about the Request for Quote process, please contact:

Mia Lorber-Hughes
Coordinator, Honey Bee and Pollination