Accelerating Genetic Gain – EOI #1 – Phase 1

Reference number: PROC-9176982

Release date:: Wednesday 24 April 2024
Closing time:: Wednesday 07 August 2024, at 02:00 PM ACT local time
Enquiry deadline:: Wednesday 31 July 2024, at 02:00 PM ACT local time
Industry briefing:: Friday 10 May 2024, 4pm AEST

Attention potential applicants

ADDENDUM: Please note the changes that have been made to PROC-9176982 Expression of Interest (PDF).

Clause 3.6 Response Format has been amended and states that “The response should address the Evaluation Criteria (Clause 25) and a statement against the Conditions for Participation (Clause 24). Please address Clause 25 ‘Evaluation Criteria’ for this EOI.

Clause 27.3 has been amended and states “The Evaluation Criteria in clause 25 will be used to assess all Responses to identify a shortlist of Respondents who may be invited to participate in a subsequent process. This assessment will be based on information provided by the Respondent in their Response. Please address clause 25 ‘Evaluation Criteria’ for your responses.

Additional Conditions for Participation (see clause 24).

The closing time of this EOI has been extended by 1 week and will now close on Wednesday 7 August 2024, 2pm AEST.

All changes have been highlighted in the PROC-9176982 Expression of Interest (PDF) please download the amended version of this document to view the changes.

Summary

To help drive a new generation of grains breeding, the GRDC Board has approved $20M of targeted investment in a strategic initiative to Accelerating Genetic Gain (AccGG). The AccGG Strategic Initiative will be deployed through a series of procurement, of which this is the first multi-stage approach to market. GRDC is seeking Responses that will address one of the following Priority Areas:

B.3 - Utilising the B genome diversity in canola
D.2 – Breeder facing AI tools

Applicants can submit a Response for either of the two Priority Areas. Applicants interested in more than one priority area must submit a separate Response for each Priority Area. GRDC encourages responses from traditional and non-traditional partners; Australian and International organisations; public and private entities; SMEs and multi-national companies. Collaborative partnerships are encouraged. There is an opportunity to collaborate with the Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry (AAGI) partnership to address these Priority Areas.

PROC-9176982 Expression of Interest (PDF)

Document Contact and Enquiries

Sarah Marchioro, Contracts Administrator
Grains Research and Development Corporation
Email: tenders@grdc.com.au

Lodgement of Response

Enquiries in relation to this EOI must be submitted to the email address of the Document Contact and Enquiries by the Deadline for Submission of Respondent Enquiries to be accepted.

Responses must be submitted to the email address of the Document Contact and Enquiries by the Closing Time to be accepted.

Subject to this EOI, Responses lodged after the Closing Time or that do not provide all the information requested may be excluded from further consideration.

Introduction

Background

1. Grains crop breeding in Australia has reached a major potential inflection point where new breeding technologies presents an opportunity to significantly improve the performance of new varieties. Development and adoption of these new breeding technologies will be crucial in delivering future step-change improvements in yield and other traits against a backdrop of climate change and increasing international competition.

The Australian Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) invests in RD&E to create enduring profitability for Australian grain growers. To help drive this new generation of breeding, the GRDC Board has approved a $20M investment in the development of an Accelerating Genetic Gain Strategic Initiative (AccGG SI). The AccGG SI seeks to capitalise on advancements made in crops such as maize and soybean through a strategic program of sustained investment in the accelerated development of advanced breeding technologies for wheat, barley and canola. The example of value created through the technical innovation of maize and soybean breeding programs and the challenge of increasing flow through of pre-breeding traits to breeding programs are primary drivers behind investment in the AccGG SI. A further driver for GRDC investment in facilitating Australian adoption of advanced breeding methodologies is to ensure the Australian grains industry remains internationally competitive in global grain markets.

The AccGG Strategic Initiative strongly aligns to GRDC’s 2023-2028 5-year RD&E investment plan, with the aim to Reach New Frontiers by Unlocking Plant Potential. Technologies delivered under this Strategic Initiative will create step change in the magnitude of yield improvements, reduce breeding cycle time and allow more traits to be incorporated into each variety (e.g. disease, yield stability). It will enable and accelerate the deployment of pre-breeding research outputs.

In 2023, a process of Global Engagement was undertaken to seek ideas as to priority areas of investment against the following themes:

Theme A. Improved predictive breeding to manage genetic complexity. For example, applying crop models, improved imputation methods, optimum contribution selection and evolutionary computing.
Theme B. Creating and using genetic diversity. For example, unlocking the potential of genome editing, improved transformation systems, improved trait introgression, and more effective use of wild relatives for Australian crop improvement.
Theme C. Exploiting heterosis. For example, defining and optimizing heterotic groups for wheat and canola.
Theme D. Developing accelerated breeding systems. For example, platform technologies such as cost-effective doubled haploids, apomixis, improved crossing efficiency and others.

From this process a number of priority areas were identified, two of which will be addressed through this multi-stage procurement. A multi-stage process has been chosen with longer timeframes for response development as to encourage applications including non-traditional partners, especially international and/or commercial partners.

EOI #1 Investment priority areas

GRDC is interested in hearing from potential partners to relation to the below priority areas. GRDC encourages responses from traditional and non-traditional partners; Australian and International organisations; public and private entities. A separate application is required for each priority area if entities wish to apply for both priority areas.

Theme	Priority Area	Summary of the opportunity or constraint
B. Creating and using genetic diversity	B.3. Utilising the B genome diversity in canola	Canola, Brassica napus (AACC) is a crop derived from interspecific crosses between Brassica rapa (AA) and Brassica oleracea (CC). By contrast, Brassica juncea (AABB) and Brassica carinata (BBCC) originated from crosses between Brassica nigra (BB) and Brassica rapa (AA), and Brassica nigra (BB) and Brassica oleracea (CC), respectively. The B genome of Brassicas possess a number of desirable traits that would be of benefit to canola (AACC). However, integration of B genome genes into canola is difficult due to the genetic controls which prevent non-homologous pairing of chromosomes and the recombination which can occur. There is a need to develop innovative methods to integrate valuable segments of the B genome, without the instability and agronomic penalties that occur with the addition of the whole B genome. Target crops: Canola Indicative project size: medium four-year project
D. Developing accelerated breeding systems	D.2. Development and integration of breeder facing AI tools to maximise use of pre-breeding research outputs and improve breeding processes.	As the number of sources and types of breeding and pre-breeding information increase, there is an increased need for tools that allow quick access to accurate and useful information for breeder decisions. A new generation of AI tools have recently been developed that could be applied to this challenge to increase and accelerate the use of GRDC pre-breeding project outputs in Australian breeding programs. Target crops: Wheat, barley, canola Indicative project size: small three-year project

Theme

Priority Area

Summary of the opportunity or constraint

B. Creating and using genetic diversity

B.3. Utilising the B genome diversity in canola

Canola, Brassica napus (AACC) is a crop derived from interspecific crosses between Brassica rapa (AA) and Brassica oleracea (CC). By contrast, Brassica juncea (AABB) and Brassica carinata (BBCC) originated from crosses between Brassica nigra (BB) and Brassica rapa (AA), and Brassica nigra (BB) and Brassica oleracea (CC), respectively.

The B genome of Brassicas possess a number of desirable traits that would be of benefit to canola (AACC). However, integration of B genome genes into canola is difficult due to the genetic controls which prevent non-homologous pairing of chromosomes and the recombination which can occur.

There is a need to develop innovative methods to integrate valuable segments of the B genome, without the instability and agronomic penalties that occur with the addition of the whole B genome.

Target crops: Canola

Indicative project size: medium four-year project

D. Developing accelerated breeding systems

D.2. Development and integration of breeder facing AI tools to maximise use of pre-breeding research outputs and improve breeding processes.

As the number of sources and types of breeding and pre-breeding information increase, there is an increased need for tools that allow quick access to accurate and useful information for breeder decisions.

A new generation of AI tools have recently been developed that could be applied to this challenge to increase and accelerate the use of GRDC pre-breeding project outputs in Australian breeding programs.

Target crops: Wheat, barley, canola

Indicative project size: small three-year project

Note: Potential future multi-stage processes may cover other Priority Areas identified during the Global Engagement Phase of the Accelerating Genetic Gain Initiative.

2. The AccGG Strategic Initiative Investment Outcome is:

By 2029, new transformational genetic technologies are developed, evaluated in collaboration with Australian breeding programs, with the potential to increase the genetic gain for yield to at least 1% pa for wheat, barley and canola.

Grower Outcome: By 2039, transformational genetic technologies are implemented in Australian wheat, barley and canola breeding programs, with growers receiving improved varieties with an annual genetic gain in yield of at least 1%.

This outcome will be achieved across multiple projects under the Accelerating Genetic Gain Strategic Initiative.

Requirement

Documents

Questions and Answers

Q1. “A new generation of AI tools have recently been developed…”. Would it be possible to provide examples of the AI tools referred to or clarification about the type of AI tools? “AI tools” on its own allows to interpret the description in very different ways otherwise.

A1. As part of the EOI process we want applicants to describe the types of tools that they believe could be used to achieve the outcome, however, an example of an AI tool that could be utilised is the incorporation of Large Language Models (LLM) to interrogate pre-breeding data.

Q2. I would like to know if the description for EOI D2 “maximise use of pre-breeding research outputs” is referring to outputs that have already been generated, or is it also referring to pre-breeding outputs that could come from future projects? In this sense, I would like to know if the emphasis is on the development of an AI tool, or the development of an improved breeding practice that incorporates an AI-based tool?

A2. This is referring to both pre-breeding outputs that have already been developed and future pre-breeding outputs. The emphasis of this investment is on the development of an AI tool that breeders can use to assess pre-breeding knowledge and data which will inform their breeding strategies, not the development of an improved breeding practice that incorporates an AI-based tool.

Q3. When in the EOI document is says “A new generation of AI tools have recently been developed that could be applied to this challenge to increase and accelerate the use of GRDC pre-breeding project outputs”, are GRDC thinking of specific tools? Or AI more generally?

A3. As part of the EOI process we are seeking ideas from applicants on what they believe will be the best approach to achieve the outcomes.

Q4. This is a ‘small size’ investment - what does this mean roughly in $$? Ball bark. Does this assume the project would apply existing methods rather than extend on or develop new tools?

A4. We are unable to provide details of the value of the EOI, however the project can apply to either existing methods or extend and develop new tools. The EOI is for applicants to show GRDC what tools and technology would be best able to achieve the outcomes.

Q5. Given that there will be a number of calls targeting the four themes – do you have any recommendation as to how applicants should structure/target technology offerings across EOIs. For example, some technologies or approaches may be relevant to multiple EOIs.

A5. If there is a valuable solution to the problem presented in each of the EOIs than applicants can submit applications to each outlining how the technology has the appropriate fit to the issue.

Q6. In the Brassica B-genome EOI there is a focus on methods in the description. Is GRDC also seeking specific trait introgressions (e.g. blackleg genes)?

A6. GRDC is not seeking specific trait introgressions but rather a method that can successfully integrate any B genome genes that may be of benefit for canola growers, applicants may want to choose an example trait to demonstrate the technology.

Q7. Could collaborators in an overseas government or university research organisation access funds from any project resulting from this EOI or would their contribution have to be in-kind only?

A7. Collaborators can receive funds from any project for the contribution that they have made that may result from this EOI as long as there is a clear benefit to Australian grain growers.

Q8. Will you provide access to complimentary partners during the EOI process?

A8. On assessment of the responses to the applications submitted for the EOI, it may be identified that complementary or similar approaches and expertise is present. Where we think this may make for a better solution, we may ask applicants to collaborate during the second stage of the process.

Q9. When should we engage with AAGI?

A9. Reach out to AAGI at any point through the EOI process, then they are aware you may need their support at any time in the future.

Q10. I was thinking to have a statement of addressing the selection criteria as our response to this EOI. But due to the limit of number of words, total 2000 words, I found it is difficult to address the Indicative Evaluation Criteria stated in Clause 26. Are we expected to have a project proposal with Project Plan, Methodology, Path to Market etc. as in Indicative Evaluation Criteria stated in Clause 26, or we need to limit out entire EOI response to 2000 words solely for selection criteria?

A10. As part of your application, please address the Conditions for Participation (Clause 24) and evaluation criteria for this EOI should address Clause 25 and not Clause 26 as Clause 26 is indicative evaluation criteria only, that may be used for the next stage of the evaluation process.

When addressing evaluation criteria for Clause 25, please keep your response to each criterion to a maximum of 500 words.

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