Planning

A Review of Plant Genetic Breeding Approaches for Field Grown Crops

  • DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (Defra Network eTendering Portal)

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-002416

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04d5cc

Published 23 January 2025, 3:28pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (Defra Network eTendering Portal)

Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street

London

SW1P 4DF

Contact

Olubunmi Akinmade

Email

olubunmi.akinmade@defra.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

Buyer's address

https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority

one.5) Main activity

Environment


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

A Review of Plant Genetic Breeding Approaches for Field Grown Crops

Reference number

P-37087

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

This project aims to conduct a comprehensive review of existing data, activities, and initiatives related to breeding research programs, supported by conversations where needed with key national stakeholders, including research centres, universities, and seed companies. The focus of this review will be on major field grown and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), including Controlled Environment Horticulture (CEH) crops, outside the scope of the current Defra Genetic Improvement Network (GIN) Platform. This will provide evidence and knowledge regarding opportunities and current barriers associated with the development and implementation of crop breeding techniques to deliver public goods.

The findings will update our understanding of how crop breeding techniques can contribute to delivery of public goods. For the purposes of this work, public goods include (but are not limited to) increased crop productivity, resilience to abiotic and biotic threats, biodiversity, enhanced resource use efficiency, environmental protection, soil, air and water quality, food security, improved sustainability, and the production of crops with lower inputs and GHG emissions. The selected field grown crops for consideration in this review may include, but are not limited to, barley, oats, sugar beet, orchard fruits, and potatoes. Within CEA/CEH, crops may include (for example) tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other salad crops. This study should encompass both traditional and precision breeding approach.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £1

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This project aims to conduct a comprehensive review of existing data, activities, and initiatives related to breeding research programs, supported by conversations where needed with key national stakeholders, including research centres, universities, and seed companies. The focus of this review will be on major field grown and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), including Controlled Environment Horticulture (CEH) crops, outside the scope of the current Defra Genetic Improvement Network (GIN) Platform. This will provide evidence and knowledge regarding opportunities and current barriers associated with the development and implementation of crop breeding techniques to deliver public goods.

The findings will update our understanding of how crop breeding techniques can contribute to delivery of public goods. For the purposes of this work, public goods include (but are not limited to) increased crop productivity, resilience to abiotic and biotic threats, biodiversity, enhanced resource use efficiency, environmental protection, soil, air and water quality, food security, improved sustainability, and the production of crops with lower inputs and GHG emissions. The selected field grown crops for consideration in this review may include, but are not limited to, barley, oats, sugar beet, orchard fruits, and potatoes. Within CEA/CEH, crops may include (for example) tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other salad crops. This study should encompass both traditional and precision breeding approach.

The contract will be for 8 months and is expected to commence in March 2025. This is a below threshold opportunity and therefore will only be advertised on Contracts Finder.

two.2.14) Additional information

The procurement documents will be published on Defra's e-Sourcing portal, Atamis. They will be available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome

You will need to register on Atamis to be able to access the documents once the tender opportunity is published. If you need technical help with the Atamis system when registering please contact the Atamis support team e-mail Support@Atamis.co.uk or phone Tel: 029 2279 0052.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

14 February 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes