Award

RBGKEW1308 Expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in root fungal colonisation assessment

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

25 Oct 2024 at 18:05

Tender

16 Jul 2024 at 11:05

Summary of the contracting process

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Richmond, United Kingdom, has initiated a procurement process under the title "RBGKEW1308 Expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in root fungal colonisation assessment." This project falls under the industry category of research and development services and related consultancy services. The primary focus is to adapt and enhance an AI visualisation tool, developed in an earlier phase, for better accuracy and functionality with more complex root samples. The procurement stage was completed with the contract being awarded on the 15th of August 2024 to D-fine GmbH. This open procurement method was conducted in Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames, with key deadlines including the tender period ending on the 15th of August 2024, and the project expected to run until the 31st of March 2025, with potential extensions up to March 2026.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses that specialise in AI development, particularly those with expertise in visualisation tools and semi-supervised learning approaches for scientific and environmental applications. The project, valued at up to £500,000, is ideal for companies capable of innovating and refining existing AI tools to meet specific scientific needs, while adhering to data regulations and standards. Businesses with a track record in research and development services, who can offer both technical excellence (weighted at 75% in evaluation criteria) and competitive pricing (weighted at 25%), stand to benefit from participating in such high-value contracts spearheaded by esteemed institutions like the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

RBGKEW1308 Expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in root fungal colonisation assessment

Notice Description

RBG Kew require a consultancy service, to expand the work developed during phase 1, to adapt AMFinder, an AI visualisation tool developed by Evangelisti et al (2021) to assess fungal-colonisation, for use with more complex field root samples. The work in phase 2 would focus on improving the accuracy of the outputs that AMFinder generates and expanding its functionality to detect different mycorrhizal types. This will build on the preliminary work carried out in phase 1, exploring the potential of a semi-supervised learning approach, and improving the user experience of the tool, by editing the dashboard interfaces and developing pipelines. The AMFinder tool should provide a method for rapid quantification of fungal colonisation in plant roots. Input to the tool will be images of ink-stained fungal structures inside roots mounted on microscopy slides, taken with a digital slide scanner (Panoramic Midi II) at RBG Kew. Adherence to data regulation and standards is essential.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The total contract value for the Core Work Requirements is PS250,000 excluding VAT. Tenders above this value will be excluded. Additional Work Requirements are subject to the needs of RBGKEW and will also form part of the contract. The total contract value is anticipated to be between PS200,000 - PS500,000 excluding VAT.

Options: The contract may be extended by up to 31.03.2026 depending on the requirements of RBGKEW.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-047daa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034768-2024
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Oct 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
15 Aug 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Aug 20241 years ago
Contract Period
8 Sep 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
Contact Name
Jamal Jimenez
Contact Email
procurement@kew.org
Contact Phone
+44 2083325000

Buyer Location

Locality
RICHMOND
Postcode
TW9 3AE
Post Town
Twickenham
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames

Local Authority
Richmond upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Kew
Westminster Constituency
Richmond Park

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

D-FINE

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-047daa-2024-10-25T19:05:21+01:00",
    "date": "2024-10-25T19:05:21+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-047daa",
    "description": "To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=896966890 GO Reference: GO-20241025-PRO-28288115",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "RBGKEW1308",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "RBGKEW1308 Expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in root fungal colonisation assessment",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "73000000",
            "description": "Research and development services and related consultancy services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "RBG Kew require a consultancy service, to expand the work developed during phase 1, to adapt AMFinder, an AI visualisation tool developed by Evangelisti et al (2021) to assess fungal-colonisation, for use with more complex field root samples. The work in phase 2 would focus on improving the accuracy of the outputs that AMFinder generates and expanding its functionality to detect different mycorrhizal types. This will build on the preliminary work carried out in phase 1, exploring the potential of a semi-supervised learning approach, and improving the user experience of the tool, by editing the dashboard interfaces and developing pipelines. The AMFinder tool should provide a method for rapid quantification of fungal colonisation in plant roots. Input to the tool will be images of ink-stained fungal structures inside roots mounted on microscopy slides, taken with a digital slide scanner (Panoramic Midi II) at RBG Kew. Adherence to data regulation and standards is essential.",
        "value": {
            "amount": 500000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "The total contract value for the Core Work Requirements is PS250,000 excluding VAT. Tenders above this value will be excluded. Additional Work Requirements are subject to the needs of RBGKEW and will also form part of the contract. The total contract value is anticipated to be between PS200,000 - PS500,000 excluding VAT.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Technical Criteria",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "75"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "25"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "value": {
                    "amount": 500000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2024-09-09T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2025-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": false,
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "allowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": true,
                "options": {
                    "description": "The contract may be extended by up to 31.03.2026 depending on the requirements of RBGKEW."
                },
                "status": "cancelled"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKI75"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKI75"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames"
                },
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission",
            "written"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-Richmond:-Research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services./ZETY78UYK8",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2024-08-15T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ],
            "bidValidityPeriod": {
                "durationInDays": 90
            }
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2024-08-15T12:02:00+01:00"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2024-08-15T12:02:00+01:00"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": false
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-118572",
            "name": "Royal Botanic Gardens",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Royal Botanic Gardens"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Royal Botanic Gardens,, The Herbarium, Kew Green,",
                "locality": "Richmond",
                "region": "UKI75",
                "postalCode": "TW9 3AE",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Jamal Jimenez",
                "telephone": "+44 2083325000",
                "email": "procurement@kew.org",
                "url": "https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Richmond:-Research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services./ZETY78UYK8"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.kew.org",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "MINISTRY",
                        "description": "Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "id": "05",
                        "description": "Environmental protection"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-118573",
            "name": "Head of Procurement & Contract Management, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Head of Procurement & Contract Management, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "1 Kew Palace Flats, Royal Botanic Gardens,, Kew Green",
                "locality": "Richmond",
                "postalCode": "TW9 3AE",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 2083325000"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-128392",
            "name": "D-fine GmbH",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "D-fine GmbH",
                "id": "N/A"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "An der Hauptwache 7 60313, Frankfurt, Registration number : HRB 48 103, Amtsgericht Frankfurt a.M., Germany",
                "locality": "Frankfurt",
                "region": "DE712",
                "countryName": "Germany"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-118572",
        "name": "Royal Botanic Gardens"
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "034768-2024-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-128392",
                    "name": "D-fine GmbH"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "034768-2024-1",
            "awardID": "034768-2024-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 500000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2024-08-15T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 8
            }
        ]
    }
}