Developing a Net Zero Farm Innovation Competition

Descriptions

1. The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to alert potential suppliers to an upcoming competition for projects developing innovative technology, systems and/or process solutions that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within a commercial agricultural setting.2. The “Developing a Net Zero Farm” Project is a pilot SBRI-type competition that will be launched by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) in early 2021 in partnership with Coleg Cambria Llysfasi to drive forward Wales’ Innovation in Agriculture agenda. The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) is a mechanism which enables public sector bodies to connect with ideas from smart innovative businesses that have the potential to provide innovative solutions to specific Public Sector challenges and unmet needs. The competition will be funded by Welsh Government as part of the Smart Living Initiative to help bring innovation into activities in north Wales.3. The overall programme will be delivered over two phases, with the planned call being phase one of a potential two-phase competition. Phase 1 is intended to show the technical feasibility of the proposed concept. The development contracts placed will be for a maximum of two months and £25,000 (inc. VAT) per project, with a maximum of four contracts to be awarded. Phase 2 contracts are intended to develop and evaluate prototypes or demonstrators from the more promising technologies in Phase 1, with a maximum of £250,000 distributed to a maximum of two projects. At this stage contracts will be let for Phase 1 only. A decision to proceed with phase 2 will depend on the outcomes from phase 1. Only successful applicants from phase 1 will be able to apply to take part in phase 2. NWEAB will reserve the right to limit the total number of awards that any one bidder may win or to award no contracts.4. The competition partners (Welsh Government, NWEAB and Coleg Cambria Llysfasi) want to identify and support smart and innovative projects that will help reduce GHG emissions in a commercial agricultural setting. The key focus will be on demonstrating feasibility, affordability and scalability of solutions that can be delivered. The competition is looking to test new and emerging innovations via trials (small-scale, field scale and complete solutions), creating an evidence base for further development, scale and application within Wales, considering affordability and practicality.5. Innovative solutions could cover: (a) Research, identification and introduction of innovative farming techniques and procedures aimed at increasing farming efficiency and reducing GHG emissions. These could include the use of robotics, drones, automated feeding and drinking systems, GPS technology, sensors and data; weather and nitrogen monitoring together with the smart use of fertilisers; (b) Research, identification and introduction of suitable renewable energy technologies to be employed within agricultural sector and the wider rural environment. This could include the use of heat/energy recovery, anaerobic digestion, solar systems coupled with battery storage, hydro and biomass together with wind turbines suitable for the location.6. The competition will be open to organisations of any size with the ability to work in Wales/with Welsh lead customers under prevailing COVID restrictions at the time of award. Applicants can work alone or with others from business, the research and academia base or the third sector as subcontractors. Academic institutions and registered charities will be eligible to apply but must demonstrate a route to market, including a plan to commercialise the results. Applicants must be prepared to work with identified potential future customers throughout.7. More information about this and other pre-commercial procurements undertaken across the UK can be found on the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) competitions portal via the following link: www.innovateuk.org/funding-competitions8. Suppliers for each project will be selected by an open competition process in January 2021 running for the minimum time of 22 days for receipt of tenders. Phase 1 projects will be expected to be complete by March 29th 2021. Successful applicants will retain the intellectual property generated from the project, with certain rights of use retained by the contracting Authority.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=106956.