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AFBI Commercialisation of AFBI-bred Forage Grass Varieties

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

14 Aug 2026 at 11:59

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

03 Aug 2026 at 14:44

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

16 Mar 2026 at 15:33

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

16 Apr 2025 at 15:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) appointed a commercialisation partner for AFBI-bred forage grass, particularly locally adapted ryegrass varieties developed through its Loughgall breeding programme. The service covers market-performance testing, seed production, marketing and bringing varieties to target markets, including support for national and recommended-list applications. The requirement relates to agricultural services and associated commercialisation activity. Delivery covers Northern Ireland, the wider United Kingdom and Ireland. AFBI is Northern Ireland’s largest science and technology organisation, working in agriculture, plant science, food, environmental protection and related fields. The opportunity concerns future AFBI-bred varieties, including varieties progressing from near-market testing towards national-list testing and commercial release.

The procurement is complete and awarded. DLF A/S was selected as the sole valid tenderer, with the award made on 30 July 2026 and the contract signed on 14 August 2026. The active contract runs from 7 November 2026 to 6 November 2036, with one possible extension of up to five years subject to performance review. Its estimated value is £100,000,000 excluding VAT and £120,000,000 including VAT. AFBI used a selective competitive flexible procedure, with initial tenders, possible dialogue or negotiation, and final tenders. Evaluation was weighted 50% quality and 50% financial. Quality covered market delivery, testing access, social value, list applications and germplasm; financial criteria covered fixed funding and royalties. The tender submission deadline was 13 April 2026.

This requirement suits seed companies, agricultural businesses and commercialisation partners with the capability to take forage-grass varieties from testing through production and market launch. A credible competitor would need access to suitable field and disease-testing sites, expertise in seed production and marketing, and established routes into Northern Irish, UK and Irish forage markets. Experience supporting national and recommended-list applications would be important, alongside plant-breeding or germplasm expertise and the capacity to manage several varieties through a long-term programme. The evaluation also shows that social value and alignment with AFBI’s strategic direction matter, as do workable funding and royalty arrangements. This is a concession, so suppliers must be able to finance investment and absorb the risk that commercial returns are not guaranteed.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

AFBI Commercialisation of AFBI-bred Forage Grass Varieties

Notice Description

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) (Client) has a requirement for the provision of Commercialisation of AFBI-bred Forage Grass Varieties (Contract). 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 their Vision of providing "Scientific excellence delivering impactful and sustainable outcomes for society, economy and the natural environment", AFBI works with a range of partners to provide scientific solutions to the global challenges of climate change, food security and environmental protection. Their 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 & development (R&D) 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 UK/ROI markets. The programme, which has been in place since 1952, has a long history, and a strong reputation in the marketplace. The programme has been extremely successful. As of 2025/26, there were 22 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 approximately 2.5, demonstrating the consistent performance of new AFBI varieties. 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. 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.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Following the initial contract period, there is one (1) potential extension period of up to five (5) years. The optional extension period will be subject to review and satisfactory performance assessment by the Contracting Authority.

Planning Information

If you wish to participate in the Contracting Authority’s Preliminary Market Engagement for this requirement, a questionnaire for completion is available via eTendersNI under ID 5870806 The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via eTendersNI by the engagement deadline date detailed above, by no later than 1500 hours. Details can be found within the questionnaire document.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050436
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077632-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

CPV Codes

66150000 - Financial markets administration services

66151000 - Financial market operational services

77100000 - Agricultural services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
13 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
16 May 2025Expired
Award Date
30 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
7 Nov 2026 - 6 Nov 2036 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
Additional Buyers

Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT9 5PX
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Upper Malone
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

DLF A/S

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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