Planning

2025-785 Digital Passport Preliminary Market Engagement

AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 Nov 2025 at 09:04

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has initiated a preliminary market engagement (PME) for developing a Digital Grain Passport system to replace paper-based passports within the UK's combinable crops supply chain. This system aims to enhance traceability and streamline logistics by integrating real-time data sharing with existing assurance databases. The PME is scheduled from 3 November 2025 to 24 November 2025, allowing suppliers to engage and submit their inputs by the deadline of 24 November 2025. The process is currently in the planning stage, with a potential full tender notice slated for spring 2026. This initiative addresses the software programming and consultancy services category and is notably suitable for SMEs. The procurement process anticipates the contract period commencing on 1 July 2026, extending through to 30 June 2030, focusing on the location within the UK.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in digital solutions geared toward agriculture, specifically those with expertise in software programming and consultancy services. Companies capable of providing secure and robust digital platforms, ideally with experience integrating APIs and handling large datasets, have a promising chance to influence the future design and implementation of the system. With the AHDB's focus on ensuring compliance with food and feed safety standards, businesses with a proven track record in these regulatory areas may find a competitive edge. Additionally, firms experienced in delivering user-friendly interfaces that cater to rural digital connectivity challenges would find this opportunity particularly pertinent. Participation in this PME allows businesses to shape a pivotal programme that not only has the potential to improve current logistical processes but also promises a substantial contract opportunity spanning multiple years.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

2025-785 Digital Passport Preliminary Market Engagement

Notice Description

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is leading the development of a Digital Grain Passport (DP) system to replace the current paper-based passports used across Great Britain's combinable crops supply chain. The new digital platform will enable secure, real-time sharing of assurance, quality, and load data between growers, hauliers, merchants, and processors. It will integrate with existing assurance databases (Red Tractor, TASCC, SQC, UFAS) via APIs, support offline functionality for rural users, and be accessible through both web and mobile applications. Designed for simplicity, reliability, and inclusivity, the DP will enhance traceability, reduce errors, and streamline logistics while maintaining compliance with food and feed safety standards. This market engagement exercise will inform final design, costing, and funding decisions ahead of a full tender and build phase, ensuring the system meets the needs of all

Planning Information

Following the PME deadline, AHDB may offer optional one-to-one engagement sessions to explore supplier responses in greater depth. Where responses demonstrate specialist expertise or sector-specific capability, AHDB may prioritise follow-up discussions with suppliers who best evidence relevant experience and understanding. In the event of a high volume of responses, AHDB reserves the right to apply a proportionate and transparent approach to limit the number of follow-up sessions, in line with its duties under Section 12 of the Procurement Act 2023. This Pre-Market Engagement (PME) will run for a period of two weeks, from 3 November 2025 to 24 November 2025. Suppliers may submit clarification questions regarding the PME until 17:00 on 13 November 2025, with responses to be published as soon as possible thereafter. Completed PME questionnaires must be submitted no later than 17:00 on 24 November 2025. This PME does not form part of any formal procurement process, and participation will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future tender. AHDB is under no obligation to proceed to procurement and may amend or cancel this process at any time. Should AHDB proceed, a formal tender opportunity may be advertised in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, with indicative timelines suggesting publication from spring 2026. Suppliers are asked to declare any potential conflicts of interest. AHDB will manage disclosures transparently. If PME materials are required in an alternative format, please contact us via the Atamis Portal. All responses will be handled in accordance with AHDB’s Data Protection Policy, and AHDB reserves the right to cancel or amend the PME at any time without liability.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071462-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Contact Name
Aisha Shehzad
Contact Email
procurement@ahdb.org.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
COVENTRY
Postcode
CV3 4SU
Post Town
Coventry
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG13 Warwickshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Warwick
Electoral Ward
Cubbington & Leek Wootton
Westminster Constituency
Kenilworth and Southam

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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. 

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