The NGN faba bean variety and agronomy trials in Tasmania aim to address the current limitations in faba bean production within the region. Despite the high cost of importing new varieties and the limited adoption of faba beans due to lower returns compared to other field crops, there is a renewed interest in this legume rotation crop. This resurgence is driven by the development of local market opportunities,

Currently, Tasmanian farmers have limited experience with new faba bean genetics and their performance under local conditions. This includes understanding the appropriate agronomic management practices unique to the region, such as varietal performance, optimal sowing times, and disease management strategies.

Trial work in the High Rainfall Zone (HRZ) of Victoria has shown that faba bean yields can reach up to 9t/ha. This has spurred interest among local growers to explore genetic advancements through the trial of new varieties in Tasmania. Additionally, the trials aim to define the best agronomic practices for the region's specific growing conditions.

Outcome:

By 2027, growers and advisers in Tasmania understand the value of the available faba bean genetics and the best agronomic practices to ensure that high and reliable yields, profits and rotational benefits are achieved.

Outputs.

Output 1.

Title: By February 2026 (and repeating in 2027) trials to access the best combinations of genetics and management packages for faba beans in Tasmania.

Description:

Description: By February 2026 (and repeating in 2027), two trial sites per season in Tasmania, one that could potentially be located on the same site as the NVT and another site in a different region. Trials to assess new and old varieties, time of sowing and also disease management programs.

In-crop assessments will include:

• Water use efficiency

• Phenology (as per NaPA CSP2107-003RTX protocols)

• Biomass and nitrogen fixation (using 15N natural abundance protocols)

• Harvest index

• Grain yield and grain quality

• Economics

Trial locations and reports will be uploaded to GRDC’s Online Farm Trials (OFT), on approval by GRDC.

Output 2.

Title: By February 2026 – communications, extension and impact assessment to raise awareness and summarise key learnings to current and new faba bean growers.

Description:

By February 2026 (and repeating in 2027), delivery of extension and communication activities targeted at growers and advisers to increase understanding of best practice to achieve high faba bean yields in Tasmania. This will be achieved by:

Annual communications, extension and promotional (C, E & P) plan will be submitted to the GRDC as part of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP). The AOP will consider C, E & P activities which may include but are not limited to field days, crop walks and discussion groups. The C, E & P plan will also include the potential for publications, such as farming systems trial reports, and a range of GRDC avenues for promotion and extension of the work. These may include, but are not limited to, GRDC electronic mail for event promotion, GroundCover, GRDC Grains Research Updates, GRDC webinars, GRDC podcasts, video channels, and social media.

Other Instructions:

Minimum Form and Content Requirements

The following are the mandatory content and format requirements that the Tenderer must complete and provide to participate in this procurement process:

1 Submit Tenders using the Grains Investment Portal.

2 Write Tenders in English and express any measurements in Australian legal units of measurement.

3 Budget details must be submitted on the ‘GRDC Budget Template’ provided in the Grains Investment Portal.

Evaluation Criteria

In the table below are the Evaluation Criteria that the Tender Evaluation Team will use to assess the value for money of all Tenders.

No Type Weighting

1Technical – Qualitative evaluation criteria related to non-price factors such as methodology, project plan, track record, experience.

1a A clear and thorough plan to achieve the project outputs, specifying:

a) method to be used (including anticipated statistical analysis capacity)

b) proposed milestones

c) proposed locations of field experiments (if required to deliver project outputs)

d) staffing (including relevant skills, experience and availability of key personnel and proposed subcontractors)

e) budget (defining the funds sought in each year of the project and the potential investment from all parties)

f) project structure and management arrangements 60%

1b 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 technical knowledge and experience of all key personnel (including proposed subcontractors) in the research area

c) relevant achievements in the delivery of commercial IP (if relevant)

d) 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. 40%

1c An overview of your approach to data management in accordance with GRDC RD&E Data Management Guidelines, including:

- existing data that you intend to use during the project and any potential restrictions on its use, including in publication or commercialisation of the intended project outputs

- how all data will be managed during the investment

- new valuable data that will be created during the project and the Approved Repository where it will be stored.

Note: We recommend searching the GRDC Data Catalogue for data that could be used in your proposed work, either by negating the need to generate new data or by adding to analyses being carried out. 0%

2 Price - The tendered budget. N/A

3 Risk - Risks inherent in the application including the degree of compliance with the draft contract and any actual or perceived conflict of interest. N/A

4 Australian economy - The economic benefit of the procurement to the Australian economy. N/A

Conditions for Participation:

The following are mandatory conditions with which a Tenderer must comply to participate in this procurement process:

1 The Tenderer must be a single legal entity or recognised firm of partners

2 The Tenderer and any proposed subcontractor must be compliant with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 and any other applicable labour laws and standards in the jurisdiction in which they operate.

3 The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not have a judicial decision against it (not including decisions under appeal) relating to employee entitlements and who have not paid the claim.

4 The Tenderer and any subcontractor must not be named on the Consolidated List, being the list of persons and entities who are subject to targeted financial sanctions or travel bans under Australian sanction laws, as maintained by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Timeframe for Delivery:

It is expected this investment will run over 30 months.

Estimated Value (AUD): From $300,000.00 to $300,000.00

Address for Lodgement: Submit your Tender through the Grains Investment Portal