Bids Are Invited For Agri-Tech Weeders

Notice Is Hereby Given That The Ministry Of Agriculture And Food Is Contemplating Making A Direct Award Of A Contract To Certified Organic Associations Of British Columbia Dba Organic Bc (The “Supplier”).The High-Level Details Of The Contemplated Contract Are Generally Described Below.Background: Extension And Knowledge And Technology Transfer Is A Key Component In Adapting To Climate Change, Improving Food Security And Advancing Innovation In The Agriculture Sector. Agriservice Bc Is The Ministry Of Agriculture And Food’S (Af) Client Service Brand And Includes Website, Communications, And Direct Inquiry Services For Agricultural Producers And Food Processors In The Province.The Ministry Is Launching Regional Extension Groups That Will Deliver Projects Aimed At Sharing Information With B.C. Producers That Advances The Capacity Of Agriculture Through Knowledge And Technology Transfer And Supports The Adoption Of Beneficial Management Practices (Bmp’S).Weed Management Is Challenge For Horticultural Growers And There Is An Interest In Exploring Opportunities In The Emerging Agriculture Robotics And Automation Industry. There Is A Need To Develop Relationships With And Among The Leading Ag Technology Companies, Operators In B.C., And Research Institutions In B.C.This Contract Is Funded Under The Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable Cap), A Five Year (2023-2028) Federal-Provincial-Territorial Initiative To Strengthen The Competitiveness, Innovation, And Resiliency Of Canada’S Agriculture And Agri-Food Sector.Objective:This Contract Aims To Increase The Uptake Of Weed Management Bmp’S And New Agri-Tech Tools By B.C. Organic And Conventional Producers To Increase Their Competitiveness And Sustainability. Scope Of Work:The Contractor Must:Work With Ministry Staff To Establish An Agri-Tech Weeder Steering Committee That Has:Balanced Producer Representation Across Commodities (Berry, Hazelnut, Vegetables, Treefruit And Grapes), Scales, And Regions (Okanagan And Lower Mainland) And Has A Mix Of Conventional And Certified Organic Producers. Members From Research Institutions Including But Not Limited To Aafc, Sfu’S Bc Centre For Agri-Tech, And Kpu. Other Industry Members As Required. The Contractor Is Responsible For:Reaching Out To And Coordinating Steering Committee Members; Developing And Circulating Meeting Documents Including Terms Of Reference, Meeting Agendas, And Meeting Invites; Hosting And Facilitating Meetings; Ensuring Meeting Minutes Are Taken And Circulated;Providing Participating Producers With Honorariums;Working With Ministry Staff To Collect Demographic Information And Collect Post-Event Survey Data;Provide Qualitative Success Stories With Written Consent From Participants Of The Project As Appropriate, And With 1-3 High Resolution Photos To Accompany Each Story. The Success Stories May Be In The Format Of Videos, Blog Posts, Or Word Documents. The Goal Of The Steering Committee Is To: Provide Information To B.C. Horticulture Producers About The Agri-Tech Weeding Equipment Available; Get Feedback From Producers In Terms Of What Is Most Of Interest To Them; Support The Development Of A Plan For Field Day Demonstrations Of Various Agri-Tech Weeder Equipment For The 2024 Growing Season; Build Relationships And Support Knowledge Transfer Between B.C. Producers, B.C. Research Institutions, Ministry Of Agriculture And Food Staff, And Other Relevant Stakeholders. Submit A Draft Report For Ministry Review For Review And Feedback, Including: A Summary Of Stakeholder Meetings To Date Including Equipment Of Most Interest, General Attitudes Of B.C. Producers, And Openness Of Companies To Market Their Technology In B.C. A Rough Plan For The 2024 Agri-Tech Weeder Field Days Including Farm Hosts And Technology Being Demonstrated. A Brief Summary Of Outreach To Research Organizations And Their Interest And Ability In Partnering On Agri-Tech Research Trials. Submit A Final Report For Ministry Approval, Including: A Summary Report Of Stakeholder Meetings Including Details Of What Equipment Is Most Of Interest To B.C. Producers And Their General Attitudes Towards This Technology; A Detailed Plan For The 2024 Agri-Tech Weeder Field Days That Has Been Vetted By The Steering Committee Including:Farm Hosts Technology Being Demonstratedplan For Getting Equipment To Farm Host Site And How The Site Fits Equipment Requirementswhile Each Field Day Can Be Focused On A Single Commodity, Location, And Company The Overall Selection Of Field Days Should Highlight Multiple Companies, Span Several Regions Of The Province And Be Relevant To Multiple Horticultural Commodities.An Summary Of The Potential For Research Trials With Partner Organizations; A Complete Financial Summary Report. Contract Term And Aggregate Contract Valuethe Term Of The Contract Is Expected To Be January 9 2024 – June 28 2024.The Aggregate Value Of The Contract Is Expected Not To Exceed, Exclusive Of Applicable Taxes $30,000. All Funding Must Be Fully Expended By March 31, 2024. The Contract May Be Renewed For One Or More Years At A Value Not Expected To Exceed $60,000 Per Year.Rationale For Contemplating A Direct Awardthe Province Is Contemplating A Direct Award With The Supplier For The Following Reasons: The Supplier Has Provided Similar Services On Behalf Of The Ministry Of Agriculture And Food And Possesses Specialized Knowledge In Agri-Tech Weeders.