UK Research & Innovation: UKRI-3131 Innovation Support Hub for Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) Farming Innovation Programme ADOPT Fund.

UK-Swindon: Research and development services and related consultancy services.
Section I: Contracting Authority
      I.1) Name and addresses
             UK Research & Innovation
             Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1FL, United Kingdom
             Tel. +44 1793867000, Email: corporateprocurement@ukri.org
             Main Address: https://www.ukri.org
             NUTS Code: UK
      I.2) Joint procurement
      The contract involves joint procurement: No.
      In the case of joint procurement involving different countries, state applicable national procurement law: Not provided       
      The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body: No.
      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       
      Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at: Not provided
      I.4) Type of the contracting authority
            Body governed by public law
      I.5) Main activity
            Other activity:

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 - Research and development services and related consultancy services.

      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       
      Currency: GBP
      II.1.6) Information about lots:
      This contract is divided into lots: No       
   
II.2) Description
      
      II.2.2) Additional CPV codes:
      Not Provided       
      II.2.3) Place of performance:
      UK UNITED KINGDOM
      
      II.2.4) Description of 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 - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 80
                        
            Cost criterion - Name: Criterion 1 / Weighting: 20
                              
      II.2.6) Estimated value:
      Value excluding VAT: 6,000,000       
      Currency: 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       
      Description of renewals: Not provided
      
      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.2.12) Information about electronic catalogues:
      Tenders must be presented in the form of electronic catalogues or include an electronic catalogue: No
      II.2.13) Information about European Union funds:
      The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No       
      Identification of the project: Not provided             
      II.2.14) Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/7Y995DHD55       


Section III: Legal, Economic, Financial And Technical Information
   III.1) Conditions for participation
      III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
      List and brief description of conditions:          
      Not Provided       
      III.1.2) Economic and financial standing       
      List and brief description of selection criteria:       
      Not Provided    
      Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required (if applicable) :       
      Not Provided    
      III.1.3) Technical and professional ability
      List and brief description of selection criteria:       
      Not Provided      
      Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required (if applicable) :          
      Not Provided   
      III.1.5) Information about reserved contracts (if applicable)   
      The contract is reserved to sheltered workshops and economic operators aiming at the social and professional integration of disabled or disadvantaged persons: No       
      The execution of the contract is restricted to the framework of sheltered employment programmes: No    
      
   III.2) Conditions related to the contract
      III.2.1) Information about a particular profession    
      Reference to the relevant law, regulation or administrative provision:          
      Not Provided    
      III.2.2) Contract performance conditions          
      Not Provided          
      III.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
      Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract: No

Section IV: Procedure
   IV.1) Description OPEN
      IV.1.1) Type of procedure: Open   
   
   IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system    
         The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement - NO    
         In the case of framework agreements justification for any duration exceeding 4 years: Not Provided    
   
   
   IV.1.6) Information about electronic auction:
      An electronic auction will be used: No
      Additional information about electronic auction: Not provided
   IV.1.8) Information about the 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 Time: 14:00
            
      IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English,       
      IV.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender: Not Provided      
      IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders:
         Date: 24/06/2024
         Time: 14:00
      

Section VI: Complementary Information
   VI.1) Information about recurrence
   This is a recurrent procurement: No    
   Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Not provided
   VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
   Electronic ordering will be used No       
   Electronic invoicing will be accepted No       
   Electronic payment will be used 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
   VI.4) Procedures for review
   VI.4.1) Review body:
             UK Research and Innovation
       Polaris House,, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1FL, United Kingdom
       Email: commercial@ukri.org
   VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures:
Not provided
   VI.4.3) Review procedure
   Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:    
    Not Provided    
   VI.4.4) Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained:
Not provided
   VI.5) Date Of Dispatch Of This Notice: 03/05/2024

Annex A