---
title: "AFBI Commercialisation of AFBI-bred Forage Grass Varieties"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-050436"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-050436"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050436.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050436.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "AGRI-FOOD AND BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE (AFBI)"
published: "2026-03-16"
---

# AFBI Commercialisation of AFBI-bred Forage Grass Varieties

Buyer: AGRI-FOOD AND BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE (AFBI)  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-050436

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## Summary

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), situated in Belfast, Northern Ireland, is orchestrating a procurement process titled "AFBI Commercialisation of AFBI-bred Forage Grass Varieties." This initiative is within the agricultural services domain, focusing on the commercialisation of AFBI's ryegrass varieties. The procurement stage is currently active and involves a selective competitive flexible procedure, with key upcoming deadlines including the tender period ending on 13 April 2026, and the award scheduled for 26 June 2026. The procurement exercise aims to identify a commercialisation partner to test, produce, and market AFBI-bred varieties, targeting UK and ROI markets, with possible expansion to other European countries. The project is valued at approximately GBP 120 million, reflecting its significant potential scale and reach.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses involved in agriculture and financial market operations. The procurement method allows for SMEs to effectively compete by leveraging expertise in commercial testing and seed production, aligning with a robust strategic direction alongside AFBI. Companies can benefit from the opportunity to bring innovative grass seed varieties to Northern Irish markets and beyond, thereby facilitating growth through the commercial exploitation of these seeds. This initiative encourages alignment with AFBI’s vision of delivering impactful scientific outcomes, thus serving firms with strong agricultural and market development capabilities. Engaging in this tender could result in enhanced market visibility, technical prowess, and broader economic benefits, given AFBI’s status as a prominent scientific institution.

## Notice

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. Suppliers should refer to the Specification Schedule for full details relating to the deliverables of this contract. Neither CPD nor the Client can provide any guarantee as to the level of business and/or expenditure under this Contract. Suppliers should note that they may be tendering at risk as this procurement could be withdrawn at any stage.

### 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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023654-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Apr 2026 |
| Future notice date | 16 May 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 7 Nov 2026 - 6 Nov 2036 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £100,000,000 |
| Lots value | £100,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | AGRI-FOOD AND BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE (AFBI) |
| Additional buyers | CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT9 5PX |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast |
| Local authority | Belfast |
| Electoral ward | Sydenham |
| Westminster constituency | Belfast East |
| Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 66 - Financial and insurance services
- 77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

### Codes

- 66151000 - Financial market operational services
- 77100000 - Agricultural services

## Release History

- 16 Mar 2026 at 15:33 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023654-2026
- 16 Apr 2025 at 14:30 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015625-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023654-2026
  16th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015625-2025
  16th April 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps
- https://www.afbini.gov.uk/contact/finance-procurement
- https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/account-ni-good-invoicing-practice
- https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/topics/procurement
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-050436. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-050436.json.