--- title: "2025-785 Digital Passport Preliminary Market Engagement" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD" published: "2025-11-06" --- # 2025-785 Digital Passport Preliminary Market Engagement Buyer: AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a.json) ## Summary 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. ## Notice 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071462-2025 | | 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 | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 6 Nov 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2030 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Planning | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD | | Locality | COVENTRY | | Post town | Coventry | | Postcode | CV3 4SU | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire | | ITL 3 | TLG13 Warwickshire CC | | Local authority | Warwick | | Electoral ward | Cubbington & Leek Wootton | | Westminster constituency | Kenilworth and Southam | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services ## Release History - 6 Nov 2025 at 09:04 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071462-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071462-2025 6th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome - 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-05db7a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05db7a.json.