Development of local strategies to enable the integrated and profitable management of Annual ryegrass seed banks in high rainfall zone farming systems of the Southern Region. / PROC-9175509 / 5pm ACT local time
Friday 19 January 2018 / Tenderers must submit their responses electronically through the Grains Investment Portal at:
Full Details
Development of local strategies to enable the integrated and profitable management of Annual ryegrass seed banks in high rainfall zone farming systems of the Southern Region
RFT Description / RFT No. PROC-9175509: Development of local strategies to enable the integrated and profitable management of Annual ryegrass seed banks in high rainfall zone farming systems of the Southern RegionRelease Date / Monday 4 December 2017
Closing Time / 5pm ACT local time, Friday 19 January 2018
Offer Period / Tenders will remain open for acceptance by the GRDC for a period of 6 months after the Closing Time.
Deadline for submission of Tender enquiries / 5pm ACT local time, Wednesday 20 December 2017
Please note between COB Thursday 21 December 2017 and COB Tuesday 2 January 2018, while the Tender remains open, GRDC offices will be closed and no staff will be in attendance to answer questions or provide technical support for the Grains Investment Portal during this time.
Document Contact and Enquiries / Attention: Denni Greenslade
Grains Research and Development Corporation
Email:
Electronic Lodgement of Tenders / Tenderers must submit their responses electronically through the Grains Investment Portal at
Aus Tender / https://www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public.advert.show&AdvertUUID=43EA1526-9B31-0DFF-75286124DE0D1B1D
Development of local strategies to enable the integrated and profitable management of Annual ryegrass seed banks in high rainfall zone farming systems of the Southern Region (PROC-9175509)
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is a statutory corporation established under the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989. It is subject to accountability and reporting obligations set out in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. It is responsible for planning, investing in and overseeing research and development, and delivering improvements in production, sustainability and profitability across the Australian grains industry.
The management of herbicide resistance is one of the highest priority issues limiting the productivity and profitability of farming systems across the high rainfall zone (HRZ). The population dynamics and ecology of important weeds; extent, type and mechanisms of herbicide resistance; climatic conditions and farming systems in the HRZ are all factors limiting the effectiveness of current control tactics and exacerbating the challenge and cost of management. The practicality of achieving effective seed set control in cereal crops in the HRZ is a challenge and the strategies employed in low and medium rainfall environments are frequently less effective. For example, the staggered and late germination of Annual Ryegrass (ARG) and practicality of narrow windrow-burning are key challenges. Therefore, it is frequently unfeasible to economically achieve complete prevention of seed set in all crops in all years.
A shift in the attitudes of growers and advisors is required to motivate change and increase the adoption of a disciplined and integrated approach to the management of ARG in HRZ farming systems. Evidence which quantifies the local relevance, impact and economic benefit of IWM strategies that incorporate a range of chemical and non-chemical control tactics is also considered essential to shift attitudes and drive adoption. The development and extension of best management guidelines for ARG control, tailored to local environment, farming systems and situation would provide growers and advisors with the knowledge and confidence required to support the adoption of improved practices. This investment will involve a number of large scale replicated demonstration trials to validate the economic benefit of different weed control tactics when integrated into various locally relevant best management programs. The investment will utilise a series of extension and communication activities to leverage and compliment the extensive historic and current R,D&E undertaken in the area of weed management.
The management of herbicide resistance is consistently identified as one of the highest priority issues limiting the productivity and profitability of farming systems across the high rainfall zone (HRZ). When left untreated yield losses of 50-60% may occur. The population dynamics and ecology of important weeds; extent, type and mechanisms of herbicide resistance; climatic conditions and farming systems in the HRZ are all factors which limit the effectiveness of current control tactics and exacerbate the challenge and cost of management. These factors, combined with the practicality of achieving effective seed set control in cereal crops in the HRZ mean that the strategies employed in low and medium rainfall environments are frequently less effective. For example, the staggered and late germination of Annual ryegrass (ARG) cohorts in these high rainfall environments makes it difficult to achieve high levels of control with relatively short-residual pre-emergent herbicides, whilst narrow windrow-burning is often impractical due to issues associated with containment of fire to header rows under high residue load. Therefore, it is frequently unfeasible to economically achieve complete prevention of seed set in all crops in all years.
The rapid development and increase in the levels and extent of resistance to key herbicide mode of action (MOA) groups – Group A, B, C, K and M in a range of important weed species, including ARG means that growers can no longer rely upon inexpensive chemical options only for control. The presence of resistance to multiple in-crop selective herbicide options frequently limits the ability to control later germinations of ARG in cereals. Herbicidal control is typically heavily reliant upon the use of pre-emergent chemistry and limited remaining effective early post emergent control options in canola and/or pulses, for example use of clethodim or butroxydim. Continuous cropping and a reliance on pre-sowing weed control strategies cannot provide effective long term management of ARG. Whilst ARG weed numbers may be significantly reduced over time by using an intensive and often high cost herbicide strategy, reliance upon herbicides alone is high risk and not sustainable long-term in driving down the weed seedbank. Growers and advisors recognise the principle need to adopt a resolute and relentless approach to reduce ARG numbers and prevent weed seed set using a range of integrated strategies, however the management practicality and financial profitability of achieving this in the HRZ is often perceived as difficult.
It is expected that this investment will involve a number of large scale replicated demonstration trials to validate the economic benefit of different weed control tactics when integrated into various locally relevant best management programs. This may include a comparison of grower standard practice with a ‘take-no-prisoners’ approach; a tactical strategy responsive to seasonal conditions; and a ‘best-bet’ strategy. The investment will utilise a series of demonstration trials, extension and communication activities to build upon the extensive historic and current R,D&E undertaken in the area of weed management. The project will utilise existing information generated from GRDC investments including Weed management in the southern region mixed farming systems - strategies to combat herbicide resistance, Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC), Stubble Initiative, Pastures in crop sequencing and others. It is also expected that the delivery of this investment will complement and value-add to the GRDC Cultural Weed Management investment.
By May 29, 2020, it is expected that this investment will motivate and enable at least 300 growers from across the high rainfall districts of South East of SA and southern Victoria to confidently adopt effective, diverse and locally tailored integrated strategies to profitably manage herbicide resistant Annual Ryegrass weed seed banks.
A total indicative budget of up to $600,000 is proposed for this GRDC investment, dependent on the quality of the proposal and the details of the services to be provided, taking into consideration any in-kind or financial contribution of the applicant. The GRDC is focused on delivering value to Australian grain growers; therefore, your application must demonstrate fair market value.
This proposed investment would be undertaken over a two-year period, commencing from March 01, 2018 and concluding on May 29, 2020, and will be delivered across the major grain growing areas of the high rainfall districts of the GRDC Southern Region.
This GRDC investment is to:
Output 1
Collate and review existing data and knowledge into a summary report to quantify the challenges, impact (farming systems, weed seed banks and profitability) and practical application of a range and combination of IWM strategies when implemented across a rotation to control ARG in high rainfall environments. This analysis should form the basis for development of customised integrated weed management programs to be developed, to be validated using large scale replicated trials in each of the major high rainfall cropping areas of the GRDC Southern Region.
Expected Delivery Date: 23/03/2018
Output 2
Validate the effectiveness, practicality and limitations of various integrated weed management programs through establishment, monitoring, demonstration and reporting of results from large scale replicated demonstration trials at a minimum of 2 localities in the SE of SA and at least three localities in southern Victoria, over 2 seasons. Field trials should be designed and delivered in collaboration with recognised industry experts in research, agribusiness, local growers and advisors and be representative of local circumstances.
Expected Delivery Date: 01/03/2019Recurring Years: 2020
Output 3
Develop, design, publish, distribute and promote at least four customised best management practices guidelines for the effective and profitable control of herbicide resistant ARG in the major high rainfall cropping districts, tailoring recommendations based on local farming systems and environments. These guidelines should focus upon the South East of SA and southern Victorian districts.
Expected Delivery Date: 15/05/2020
Output 4
Develop, design, publish and distribute a range (minimum 12 per annum) of targeted and strategically timed communication products to disseminate key messages and promote best management strategies to effectively and profitably manage herbicide resistant ARG. In addition, promote, distribute and leverage existing GRDC reference materials and research outcomes relating to weed management, ensuring information presented is based on proven science. A variety of platforms and channels should be used to reach at least 500 growers and advisors in the HRZ and all communication materials must adhere to GRDC brand guidelines;
Expected Delivery Date: 01/03/2019Recurring Years: 2020
Output 5
Deliver a minimum of 15 local extension activities per annum for groups of growers, advisors, agronomists and agribusiness (workshops, field days/walks, discussion groups). Activities will promote best management practices, with a focus on profitable and practical solutions of local relevance, and include visits and learnings from local demonstration sites and/or growers implementing IWM strategies to effectively control ARG;
Expected Delivery Date: 21/12/2018 Recurring Years: 2019
Output 6
Submit a final report to the GRDC summarising all project activities and achievements, including an evaluation of the effectiveness of the investment in achieving the expected outcomes.
Expected Delivery Date: 29/05/2020
Application period
The application end date for this investment is 5pm ACT local time on Friday 19 January 2018 as advised on the Grains Investment Portal and all applications must be submitted via the portal prior to this closing date for consideration.
All requests for further information or clarification in relation to this investment should be made in writing to prior to 5pm ACT local time on Wednesday 20 December 2017. All requests and responses to requests will be published on the GRDC website.
Please note between COB Thursday 21 December 2017 and COB Tuesday 2 January 2018, while the Tender remains open, GRDC offices will be closed and no staff will be in attendance to answer questions or provide technical support for the Grains Investment Portal during this time.
Selection Criteria
The GRDC seeks quotes from suitable contractor(s) to deliver the objectives of this proposed investment. It is anticipated that a number of contractors or an individual contractor and sub-contractors may be engaged to assemble a multi-disciplinary team to provide the specific expertise and experience to deliver the outcomes of this project. Any sub-contracting arrangements for services should be detailed as part of a quote.
Criteria / Description / Weighting Against Selection Criteria (%)1 / A clear and thorough project plan to achieve the outputs and outcome, specifying:
- target users of the project outputs (i.e. who will the project directly deliver to);
- activities, locations and methods to develop and deliver project outputs;
- details of the information, products and/or services to be developed and delivered;
- proposed timelines and milestones,
- staffing required, availability of key personnel and proposed partners/subcontractors,
- detailed budget defining the GRDC funds sought in each year of the project and potential co-investment from all parties,
- project structure and management arrangements ensuring collaboration across the Southern Region, and nationally if relevant,
- any potential risks identified and methods to mitigate these.
2 / Demonstrated track record of the project team, including:
a. relevant achievements of the project leader in providing leadership, co-ordination, management, monitoring and evaluation and the timely delivery of high quality outputs;
b. relevant knowledge, skills and experience of all key personnel including proposed subcontractors in terms of the technical area and agricultural extension and communication, and if required, field trials including experimental design, implementation and statistical analysis;
c. ability of the project team to collaborate with the relevant research organisations and industry personnel to build on the research (national and international) already undertaken in this area
d. ability of the project team to work effectively across regions. / 30
3 / The cost effectiveness and value for money of the tender response, including in-kind and cash co-contributions. / 30
Eligibility Criteria
1.The Applicant must be a single legal entity or recognised firm of partners.
2.The Applicant must be financially viable. For the purposes of this condition, “financially viable” means that the Tenderer has not had any of the following events occur in respect of it:
a.a meeting of creditors being called or held within the past five years;
b.the appointment of a liquidator, provisional liquidator or administrator within the past five years;
c.the appointment of a controller (as defined in section 9 of the Corporations Act (2001)), or analogous person appointed, including in respect of any of its property within the past five years;
d.a failure to comply with a statutory demand in respect of the payment of any debt;
e.an inability to pay debts as they fall due or otherwise becoming insolvent;
f.becoming incapable of managing its own affairs for any reason;
g.taking any step resulting in insolvency under administration (as defined in section 9 of the Corporations Act 2001);
h.entering into a compromise or arrangement with, or assignment for the benefit of, any of its creditors, or any analogous event.
3.The Applicant and any proposed subcontractor must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012.
4.The Applicant must include in its application details of any known circumstances that may give rise to an actual or potential conflict of interest with GRDC in responding to this procurement. The Applicant's response will be taken into account in the evaluation.
Applying
Applying for GRDC investments is now done using the GRDC Grains Investment Portal. Once registered, users can visit the Portal anytime.
To register as a user, please visit
- Click on the register button at the top right hand side.
- Complete the Registration Form. Fill in all the fields: your email address, a password and the captcha. Your password must be alphanumeric with at least one special character (i.e. not a letter or number). Click register to continue the process.
- Registration is confirmed by the system sending an email to you, with details to complete the registration process.
- Once the registration process is complete, you can sign in and review all investments open for tender
Once you have located this investment, you can commence the application process by completing the details for each field available, until you reach “Submit Application” on the last page.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Denni Greenslade, Business Support Team Leader via email or use the online support function available.
Application evaluation
Applications will be considered by a selection committee and the successful applicant will be informed within four weeks of the application closing date.
Questions and Answers:
No questions have been submitted yet.
P PO Box 5367 Kingston, ACT 2604 AustraliaPage 1
T +61 2 6166 4500F +61 2 6166 4599E
GRAINS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ABN 55 611 223 291