---
title: "RBGKEW1308 Expanding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in root fungal colonisation assessment"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-047daa"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-047daa"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047daa.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-047daa.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
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-h6vhtk-047daa

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## Summary

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.

## 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.

### 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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034768-2024 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 25 Oct 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 15 Aug 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Aug 2024 |
| Contract period | 8 Sep 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

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

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## 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 | TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames |

## 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 18:05 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034768-2024
- 16 Jul 2024 at 11:05 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021794-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.kew.org
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=896966890
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-Richmond:-Research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services./ZETY78UYK8
- https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Richmond:-Research-and-development-services-and-related-consultancy-services./ZETY78UYK8

## Provenance

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