Scope
Description
This project's aims are three-fold: to design and develop a data sharing infrastructure suitable for the UK agri-food system; advise on an optimal governance model for this infrastructure; and pilot data sharing across a selection of food product supply chains. The project will begin with a discovery phase that will form a picture of the current data sharing ecosystem in the agri-food sector and learn from current practice within and outside of the agri-food sector. Following this, a detailed design of a potential DSI system architecture will be developed alongside an optimal model of system governance. Data sharing pilots in specific agri-food supply chains will consider how data sharing can be operationalised and incentivised to inform this design, identifying and proposing solutions to scale-up participation.
The outputs of this project should provide the evidence base for government and industry to invest in and deliver DSI that delivers public goods and promotes sustainable growth and resilience of the UK agri-food sector. Support the work of UK government to create a smart data ecosystem with in the Agri-Food Sector. It should take into account major international data sharing infrastructure in development such as the EU 'digital product passports' and the UN CEFACT 'Transparency Protocol' and align with any UK data sharing policy that emerges between project procurement and inception. This project should use the Digital Twin Hub's Gemini Principles (Figure 2), Smart Data initiatives such as Open Banking, and the FDTP Key Principles as a basis for the aims and outcomes of the DSI and governance design work.
Total value (estimated)
- £0 excluding VAT
- £0 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 January 2026 to 12 July 2027
- Possible extension to 11 January 2028
- 2 years
Description of possible extension:
There is an option of a 6-month extension to the project contingent on satisfactory delivery and the needs of the Authority (Defra). Due to unknown situations any extension must be agreed with the Authority (Defra) and will be processed via a Variation/ Contract Change Note (CCN) issued by DGC. (Should an extension request arise at a cost and agreed on, then an additional invoice will need to be sent to cover the period between the interim payment and the original project end date).
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Break Clause
The contract term is 18 months with a break clause 6 months into the project; upon receipt of the Work Package 2 Technical Report.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Conditions of participation
Part 1 - confirmation of core supplier information: suppliers participating in procurements will now be expected to register on a central digital platform (CDP). Suppliers can submit their core supplier information and, where a procurement opportunity arises, share this information with the contracting authority via the CDP. It is free to use and will mean suppliers should no longer have to re-enter this information for each public procurement but simply ensure it is up to date and subsequently shared. The CDP is available at https://www.gov.uk/find-tender. Part 1 provides confirmation that suppliers have taken these steps.
Part 2 - additional exclusions information: procurement legislation provides for an 'exclusion regime' and a published 'debarment' list to safeguard procurement from suppliers who may pose a risk (for example, due to misconduct or poor performance). Suppliers must submit their own (and their connected persons ) exclusions information via the CDP. This includes self-declarations as to whether any exclusion grounds apply to them and, if so, details about the event or conviction and what steps have been taken to prevent such circumstances from occurring again.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
20 October 2025, 12:00pm
Tender submission deadline
3 November 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | E01: Approach and methodology - 30% E02: Project management (including project plan) - 20% E03: Proposed staff and contractor/sub-contractor expertise - 25% E04 Risk - 10% E05 Social Value - 15% |
Quality | 70.00% |
| Commercial | Total Cost |
Price | 30.00% |
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Contracting authority
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government