Concession award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
authority/entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
C/O Construction and Procurement Delivery, 303 Airport Road West
BELFAST
BT3 9ED
UK
E-mail: justice.cpd@finance-ni.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.afbini.gov.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/topics/procurement
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
General public services
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
DAERA AFBI Commercialisation of AFBI-bred forage grass varieties
Reference number: ID 4225815
II.1.2) Main CPV code
66151000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is Northern Ireland’s largest science and technology organisation and an internationally renowned multidisciplinary scientific organisation, based at seven locations across Northern Ireland. In line with our Vision of “Advancing the local and global agri food sectors through scientific excellence”, AFBI works with a range of partners to provide scientific solutions to the global challenges of climate change, food security and environmental protection. Our staff undertake scientific research, surveillance, and analytical and diagnostic testing for a wide range of customers in the fields of sustainable agricultural systems, animal health and welfare, plant science, food innovation and safety, environmental protection, fisheries and aquatic ecosystems and agricultural and rural economics. AFBI is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) established under the Agriculture (Northern Ireland) Order, 2004. The Institute undertakes an assigned work programme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) that comprises statutory, analytical, and diagnostic/surveillance testing, together with research and development and the provision of specialist advice in the fields of agriculture, animal health and welfare, plant science, food safety and innovation, marine and fisheries, the natural environment and agri-food and rural economics. The AFBI grass breeding programme, based in Loughgall, Northern Ireland, produces locally-adapted ryegrass varieties for a range of forage grass markets, but primarily for the NI as well as the GB/ROI markets. The programme, which has been in place since 1952, has a long history, and a strong reputation in the marketplace. The AFBI programme has been extremely successful. As of 2020/21, there were 19 different AFBI-bred ryegrass varieties on the Irish and UK recommended lists. There were also a number of varieties on recommended lists in other European countries. The average annual number of AFBI varieties that have been accepted onto Recommended Lists over the past 10 years is 2.6, demonstrating the consistent performance of new AFBI varieties. The current programme focuses on the production of intermediate and late diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrass varieties for both silage and grazing, as well as varieties of the hybrid type. The AFBI forage grass breeding programme is split into two programmes: the strategic programme and the commercialisation programme. The early stage strategic programme is funded by DAERA, and produces germplasm for incorporation into new synthetics. The commercialisation programme tests near-market stage synthetics prior to national list testing and subsequent commercialisation. AFBI requires a commercialisation partner in order for AFBI-bred varieties to be tested for market performance prior to national/recommended list testing, and ultimately for seed from AFBI-bred varieties to reach target markets. In compliance with the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016, AFBI therefore intends to run a tender exercise for commercialisation rights to all future AFBI-bred varieties for the purposes of testing, production and marketing of these varieties.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
100 000 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
100 000 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
77100000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKN
Main site or place of performance:
As required by AFBI and the contract demands, within Northern Ireland and potentially. beyond.
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is Northern Ireland’s largest science and technology organisation and an internationally renowned multidisciplinary scientific organisation, based at seven locations across Northern Ireland. In line with our Vision of “Advancing the local and global agri food sectors through scientific excellence”, AFBI works with a range of partners to provide scientific solutions to the global challenges of climate change, food security and environmental protection. Our staff undertake scientific research, surveillance, and analytical and diagnostic testing for a wide range of customers in the fields of sustainable agricultural systems, animal health and welfare, plant science, food innovation and safety, environmental protection, fisheries and aquatic ecosystems and agricultural and rural economics. AFBI is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) established under the Agriculture (Northern Ireland) Order, 2004. The Institute undertakes an assigned work programme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) that comprises statutory, analytical, and diagnostic/surveillance testing, together with research and development and the provision of specialist advice in the fields of agriculture, animal health and welfare, plant science, food safety and innovation, marine and fisheries, the natural environment and agri-food and rural economics. The AFBI grass breeding programme, based in Loughgall, Northern Ireland, produces locally-adapted ryegrass varieties for a range of forage grass markets, but primarily for the NI as well as the GB/ROI markets. The programme, which has been in place since 1952, has a long history, and a strong reputation in the marketplace. The AFBI programme has been extremely successful. As of 2020/21, there were 19 different AFBI-bred ryegrass varieties on the Irish and UK recommended lists. There were also a number of varieties on recommended lists in other European countries. The average annual number of AFBI varieties that have been accepted onto Recommended Lists over the past 10 years is 2.6, demonstrating the consistent performance of new AFBI varieties. The current programme focuses on the production of intermediate and late diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrass varieties for both silage and grazing, as well as varieties of the hybrid type. The AFBI forage grass breeding programme is split into two programmes: the strategic programme and the commercialisation programme. The early stage strategic programme is funded by DAERA, and produces germplasm for incorporation into new synthetics. The commercialisation programme tests near-market stage synthetics prior to national list testing and subsequent commercialisation. AFBI requires a commercialisation partner in order for AFBI-bred varieties to be tested for market performance prior to national/recommended list testing, and ultimately for seed from AFBI-bred varieties to reach target markets. In compliance with the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016, AFBI therefore intends to run a tender exercise for commercialisation rights to all future AFBI-bred varieties for the purposes of testing, production and marketing of these varieties.
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement, dynamic purchasing system or concession
Duration in months: 180
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Form of procedure
Award procedure with prior publication of a concession notice
IV.1.11) Main features of the award procedure:
Award procedure was fully detailed in the published tender documentation.
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2022/S 000-012561
Section V: Award of contract
Title: ID4225815 / AFBI Commercialisation of AFBI-bred Forage Grass Varieties
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
24/10/2022
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Barenbrug Holland B.V.
Stationsstraat 40
Nijmegen
6515 AB
NL
Telephone: +24 3488100
NUTS: NL
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.barenbrug.co.uk/
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the concession and main financing terms (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot/concession: 50 000 000.00 GBP
Total value of the concession/lot:
100 000 000.00
GBP
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
Neither CPD nor the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The commercial nature of this requirement is such that it will operate with, and will incur, no direct costs to AFBI. Any estimated values stated are nominal figures, which do not take into account the Contractor's marketing / production costs, and payments that will be made to AFBI. Any figures stated in the contract notice or this award notice must not be assumed as accurate or an indicator as to potential revenue for the Contractor. The estimate is not deemed to be a condition of contract nor a guarantee of minimum demand or uptake. No compensation will be payable to the Contractor should the actual demand be less than that stated.. . Contract monitoring: the successful Contractor's performance on the contract will be regularly monitored. Contractors not delivering on contract requirements is a serious matter. It means the public purse is not getting what it is paying for. If a Contractor fails to reach satisfactory levels of contract performance they will be given a specified time to improve. If, after the specified time, they still fail to reach satisfactory levels of contract performance, the matter will be escalated to senior management in CPD for further action. If this occurs and their performance still does not improve to satisfactory levels within the specified period, it may be regarded as an act of grave professional misconduct and they may be issued with a notice of written warning and notice of unsatisfactory performance and this contract may be terminated. The issue of a. notice of written warning and notice of unsatisfactory performance will result in the Contractor being excluded from all procurement competitions being undertaken by Centres of Procurement Expertise on behalf of bodies covered by the Northern Ireland Procurement Policy for a period of up to 12 months from the date of issue of the notice. The authority expressly reserves the rights:. . (i) not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice;. (ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering competition;. (iii) to award (a) contract(s) in respect of any part(s) of the services covered by this notice; and. (iv) to award contract(s) in stages.. . And under no circumstances will the authority be liable for any costs incurred by candidates.
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
See VI.4.3 / Review procedure
See VI.4.3 / Review procedure
UK
VI.4.3) Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
The UK does not have any special review body with responsibility for appeal/mediation. procedures in public procurement competitions. Instead, any challenges are dealt with by. the High Court, Commercial Division, to which proceedings may be issued regarding alleged breaches of the Concessions Contracts Regulations 2016.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
07/11/2022