Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
UK Research & Innovation
Polaris House, North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1FL
UK
Telephone: +44 1793867000
E-mail: corporateprocurement@ukri.org
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.ukri.org
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Swindon:-Research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services./7Y995DHD55
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: Research
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
UKRI-3131 Innovation Support Hub for Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) Farming Innovation Programme ADOPT Fund.
Reference number: UKRI-3131
II.1.2) Main CPV code
73000000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The ADOPT fund aims to support on-farm trials to evaluate tools, technology, systems, and approaches that can enhance the profitability, productivity, and sustainability of farmers, growers, and foresters in England. The funding aligns with the broader goals of the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), with a specific focus on 1-to-2-year projects that meet these criteria:
Innovative Solutions: Funding is provided for practices or technologies that aren't widely used but show potential to improve farm productivity and sustainability.
Farmer-Led: Projects are centred on groups led by farmers.
Collaborative: They involve cooperation among farmers, industry, and researchers.
Scientifically Grounded: Trials are based on rigorous scientific methods with detailed measurement and recording.
Knowledge Sharing: Projects are open to sharing results and lessons learned with others.
Innovate UK oversees the scope of competitions and project eligibility
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
6 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
Main site or place of performance:
UNITED KINGDOM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The UK is focusing on innovation and technology to increase agricultural productivity, improve environmental sustainability, and meet the demands of a growing global population. The country has strong capabilities in bioscience and research, supported by notable institutions and innovative farmers. The UK Government has invested significantly in agricultural technology through the £270 million Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), managed by the Department for Food, Environment, and Rural Affairs (Defra) in partnership with UKRI Innovate UK, which oversees funding and grant competitions.
A grant support hub is being established to complement the grant competitions for the ADOPT fund. This hub aims to guide applicants and is considered vital for the fund's success. Its role is to encourage more on-farm trials and innovation in agriculture and horticulture. Previous experiences with the European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-Agri) showed that inconsistent support and knowledge-sharing limited the effectiveness of the program. The new grant support hub is designed to address these issues by providing consistent guidance and facilitating better knowledge exchange among participants.
The support hub for the ADOPT fund has several key objectives:
Raise Awareness: Promote the ADOPT fund to the target market to increase awareness and generate interest.
Encourage Quality Applications: Drive a high number of quality applications to ensure a competitive selection process and support impactful projects.
Provide a Supportive Interface: Act as a friendly and accessible 'front door' to help applicants understand the ADOPT fund and have a positive initial experience.
Offer Specialist Advice: Give guidance to potential applicants on how to gather insights, find partners, and access resources for their applications.
Direct Unqualified Applicants: Signpost other relevant services for those whose proposals don't fit the ADOPT fund's criteria.
Enhance Project Success: Advise funded projects on effective trial management, open innovation, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange to maximise success.
Promote Knowledge Sharing: Support projects in communicating and sharing their research findings with farmers and other stakeholders during and after project completion to maximise the fund's impact.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Quality criterion: Criterion 1
/ Weighting: 80
Cost criterion: Criterion 1
/ Weighting: 20
II.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT:
6 000 000.00
GBP
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Start:
05/08/2024
End:
03/08/2029
This contract is subject to renewal: No
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
Yes
Description of options:
The Contract duration shall be for a period of 3 years with optional extensions of 2 years (1 year + 1 year)
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
II.2.14) Additional information
To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/7Y995DHD55
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2023/S 000-021835
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
24/06/2024
Local time: 14:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
24/06/2024
Local time: 14:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
No
VI.3) Additional information
The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Swindon:-Research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services./7Y995DHD55
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/7Y995DHD55
GO Reference: GO-202453-PRO-25945298
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
UK Research and Innovation
Polaris House,, North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1FL
UK
E-mail: commercial@ukri.org
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
03/05/2024