uptake of improved nitrogen and irrigation Applicants can withdraw from the Competitive Tender management practices; and at any time before signing a Grant Contract. cost-effective investment in improving Reef water quality. Grant funding is intended to be paid in the following The desired outcomes of this Project are to: installments: 20% of the Tender Price at commencement of achieve reduction in dissolved inorganic Grant Contract in financial year 2015/2016, nitrogen lost to the Reef while maintaining 40% of the Tender in financial year 2016/2017, farm yield; and increase the number of farmers across the 40% of the Tender in financial year 2017/2018. Burdekin implementing improved nitrogen and irrigation management practices; and There are a range of parameters around who and promote adoption of best practice farm what this Project will fund that are described in the management through Smartcane BMP. following sections. This Project is not aimed at reducing crop yield. 1.4 1.3 Table 2: Key steps and timing. There are two stages to this Project: Key Step Timing an Expression of Interest stage for sugar Sugar cane farmers register an 18 November - 2pm 07 cane farmers to register their interest; and Expression of Interest December 2015 the Reverse Auction where sugar cane farmers submit Tenders seeking funding to Information sessions held at October - November 2015 improve their nitrogen and irrigation local shed meetings management practices. Figure 1 shows the overall process for delivery of this Applicants submit a Tender 10 December 2015 18 – Project. (Reverse Auction is open) February 2016 Tenders will be evaluated based on value for money in Assessment and approval improving nitrogen fertiliser management and improving process irrigation management practices. February March 2016 – NQ Dry Tropics conducts any A Nitrogen Management Calculator has been developed required site visits for Applicants when preparing their Tenders. This will assist Applicants to determine their Baseline Nitrogen Applicants are notified of the March 2016 Applied and a tailored Proposed Nitrogen Application, outcome of their Tender which are required for Tender evaluation. See ‘The Nitrogen Management Calculator’ section for more information at Appendix 1. Successful Applicants are March April 2016 – invited to sign a Successful Applicants will be invited to enter into a Grant Grant Contract Contract to implement their management improvements for the duration of the Grant Contract (ending June 2018). To be eligible for the Project, cane farmers must In return, they will receive the funds requested in their register their interest through the Expression of Interest Tender. stage before 2pm (AEST) on 07 December 2015.
uptake of improved nitrogen and irrigation management practices; and cost-effective investment in improving Reef water quality. The desired outcomes of this Project are to: achieve reduction in dissolved inorganic nitrogen lost to the Reef while maintaining farm yield; increase the number of farmers across the Burdekin implementing improved nitrogen and irrigation management practices; and promote adoption of best practice farm management through Smartcane BMP. This Project is not aimed at reducing crop yield. 1.3 There are two stages to this Project: an Expression of Interest stage for sugar cane farmers to register their interest; and the Reverse Auction where sugar cane farmers submit Tenders seeking funding to improve their nitrogen and irrigation management practices. Figure 1 shows the overall process for delivery of this Project. Tenders will be evaluated based on value for money in improving nitrogen fertiliser management and improving irrigation management practices. A Nitrogen Management Calculator has been developed for Applicants when preparing their Tenders. This will assist Applicants to determine their Baseline Nitrogen Applied and a tailored Proposed Nitrogen Application, which are required for Tender evaluation. See ‘The Nitrogen Management Calculator’ section for more information at Appendix 1. Successful Applicants will be invited to enter into a Grant Contract to implement their management improvements for the duration of the Grant Contract (ending June 2018). In return, they will receive the funds requested in their Tender. Applicants can withdraw from the Competitive Tender at any time before signing a Grant Contract. Grant funding is intended to be paid in the following installments: 20% of the Tender Price at commencement of Grant Contract in financial year 2015/2016, 40% of the Tender in financial year 2016/2017, and 40% of the Tender in financial year 2017/2018. There are a range of parameters around who and what this Project will fund that are described in the following sections. 1.4 Table 2: Key steps and timing. Key Step Timing Sugar cane farmers register an Expression of Interest 18 November - 2pm 07 December 2015 Information sessions held at local shed meetings October - November 2015 Applicants submit a Tender (Reverse Auction is open) 10 December 2015 – 18 February 2016 Assessment and approval process NQ Dry Tropics conducts any required site visits February – March 2016 Applicants are notified of the outcome of their Tender March 2016 Successful Applicants are invited to sign a Grant Contract March – April 2016 To be eligible for the Project, cane farmers must register their interest through the Expression of Interest stage before 2pm (AEST) on 07 December 2015.
burdekin-reef-trust-tender-applicant-guidelines.docx