---
title: "RBGKEW1308 Expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in root fungal colonisation assessment"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-d97920f5-e6d6-449a-87ae-e620b2419eaa"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-d97920f5-e6d6-449a-87ae-e620b2419eaa"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d97920f5-e6d6-449a-87ae-e620b2419eaa.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-d97920f5-e6d6-449a-87ae-e620b2419eaa.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS"
published: "2024-10-25"
---

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

Buyer: ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-d97920f5-e6d6-449a-87ae-e620b2419eaa

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## Summary

The Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) Kew has awarded a consultancy service contract titled "RBGKEW1308 Expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in root fungal colonisation assessment". This contract, classified under CPV code 73000000 for research and development services and related consultancy, aims to enhance the AMFinder AI visualisation tool for assessing fungal colonisation in complex field root samples. The procurement process was an open procedure and has progressed to the award stage, with a contract value of £500,000. The project, located in London, UK, will run from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2026, with key activities starting immediately upon contract commencement and continuing until the designated end date. The awarded contract was announced on 15 August 2024, with D-fine GmbH as the supplier.

This tender presents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in AI, consultancy, and R&D services within the biotechnology and agricultural sectors. Particularly, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in semi-supervised learning, AI visualisation tools, and user interface development could greatly benefit from competing in such procurements. The project’s focus on advancing AI functionalities in scientific research tools, adherence to data standards, and enhancing user experiences opens doors for businesses to showcase innovation and contribute to significant scientific advancements. Furthermore, working with a prestigious institution like RBG Kew could enhance the business's reputation and provide networking opportunities within the scientific and research communities.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/806fcb5c-a6d7-4f28-ae3c-d015408f46ad |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 25 Oct 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 14 Aug 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Aug 2024 |
| Contract period | 30 Sep 2024 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £500,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £500,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS |
| Locality | RICHMOND |
| Post town | Twickenham |
| Postcode | TW9 3AE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI7 Outer London - West and North West |
| ITL 3 | TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames |
| Local authority | Richmond upon Thames |
| Electoral ward | Kew |
| Westminster constituency | Richmond Park |
| Delivery location | TLI London |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | D-FINE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

## Release History

- 25 Oct 2024 at 16:05 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/806fcb5c-a6d7-4f28-ae3c-d015408f46ad

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/806fcb5c-a6d7-4f28-ae3c-d015408f46ad
  25th October 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/respondToList.html?noticeId=896966890
  Please follow this link to view the notice.

## Provenance

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