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Closed ATM View - PROC-9176861

Optimizing slug management: Enhancing capacity and capability through population modelling and innovative management str

Linda McDougall

: 0472832502

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Linda McDougall

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PROC-9176861
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Grains Research and Development Corporation
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70140000 - Crop production and management and protection
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20-Jun-2023 5:00 pm (ACT Local Time)
Show close time for other time zones
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11-May-2023
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ACT, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, QLD, TAS
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Request for Tender
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No
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No
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No
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<p">This investment will engage an appropriate research partner to conduct field research into slug ecology and population dynamics in response to climate and crop environment. This investment will validate slug ecology and populations dynamics and crop damage thresholds in regions where slug issues are more sporadic and collect relevant data for slug population modelling and forecasts for slug management decision making. A model will be developed and validated to inform on the economics and feasibility of integrated management approaches such as paddock selection, crop choice, strategic cultivation, stubble burning, rolling after sowing, best bait application and timing to achieve improved slug management outcomes. Demonstration, validation and extension of the models slug population forecasting capabilities will be delivered in the Northern, Southern and Western regions. <p">To address the critical issue of limited capacity and capability of pest slug management in grain crops, this investment will support a Post-Doctoral Fellow and a PhD candidate as a potential Malacologists, and also identify and provide active training and development to upskill up to four regional agronomists or advisers to become local slug management experts throughout the project term. <p">Outcome <p">By July 2026, growers and advisers are effectively and economically managing slugs in their production systems. <p">Ouputs <p">Ouput 1 - By June 2026, develop new knowledge on slug ecology for inclusion in regionally delivered management strategies. <p">Description:

  • Assess local black keeled slug (Milax gagates), grey field slug (Deroceras reticulatum) population dynamics in the areas of northern and southern regions where this has not previously been studied to combine with data from previous research (including DAS00127, DAS00134, DAS00160)
  • Monitor and assess slug population dynamics
  • Data generated from this output will be collated for Output 3

Build capacity and capability in slug expertise for the grains industry through engagement of a university Post Doctoral Fellow, PhD candidate and regional expert advisers.

<p">Ouput  2 -  By June 2026, deliver improved slug management strategies based on application of molluscicidal baits. <p">Description:

  • Seasonal bait timing trials spring baiting and/or autumn baiting at sowing
  • Validate impact of reducing spring slug populations
  • Field efficacy trials of molluscicide bait relevant to crop conditions, rainfall and temperature (may include irrigation trials).
  • Engage local farming system groups or commercial agronomy agencies in field trial delivery.

<p">Output  3 -  By June 2025, deliver a validated population and management model for the grey field slug and the black keeled slug to inform effective management strategies. <p">Description:

  • Validate existing European slug population model* for grey field slug and parameterize for black keeled slugs for incorporation into a decision support tool.
  • Consolidate and combine data and information from Output 1 and previous research (DAS0127, DAS0134, DAS160).
  • Inclusive of all model code/scripts, datasets and relevant supporting documentation. * Choi, Y.H., Bohan, D.A., Potting, R.P.J., Semenov, M.A.& Glen, D.M., 2004 , Individual based model of slug population and spatial dynamics Elsevier, Ecological Modelling 190 (2006) 336–350.

<p">Output 4 -  By June 2023 and annually thereafter, develop and deliver a communication and extension plan. <p">Description:

  • Field demonstration and extension events.
  • A legacy publication on Slug Pest Forecasting and Management Guide.
  • Extension and promotion via Ground cover articles, media release, video / podcast or webinar.
  • Measure and evaluate grower practice change to determine levels of adoption and any barriers to best practice management.
  • Developed in consultation with GRDC Communications and Digital Publication teams.
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Minimum Form and Content Requirements

<p">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

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

<p">The following criteria will be assessed again the application however they are not weighted criteria

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<p">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 except where the Tender is submitted by a consortium and the Tender specifies that each member of the proposed consortium will be party to the contract.
  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.
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<p">GRDC will contract under the terms of the GRDC Standard Two-Party Research Contract. <p">The schedule(s) attached to the contract will detail the project details: the outcomes, outputs, milestones, budget, participating personnel and required intellectual property. <p">The template Contract containing the proposed terms and conditions is available from the GRDC website at https://grdc.com.au/research/partnering-in-rde-investment/contract-templates <p">It is anticipated that any resultant contract in relation to this procurement will commence with a proposed term of  3 years and 6 months with the expected contract execution date in August 2023.

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Submit your Tender through the Grains Investment Portal by 5pm Canberra local time by 20 June 2023

Linda McDougall

: 0472832502

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:

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Linda McDougall

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