Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) Tool

AHDB is exploring the development and delivery of a digital decision-support tool to help farmers manage the risk of Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) in wheat and barley crops. This tool will enable farmers to make evidence-based decisions on the need to spray or apply preventative measures based on modelled risk.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) is conducting this Pre-Market Engagement (PME) exercise to gather insights from the supplier market. The aim is to inform and refine the specification, support the development of a suitable commercial model, and help determine the most appropriate route to market.

Please note, this is a Pre-Market Engagement (PME) and not a call for competition. Suppliers are invited to review the published draft Specification and respond to the PME Response Form via the Atamis Portal (https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome) no later than 17:00 on 15 August 2025.

Registration will be required. Following the PME deadline, AHDB may offer optional 1:1 engagement sessions to explore responses in greater depth.

Where supplier responses indicate that the requirement involves specialist expertise or sector-specific capability, AHDB may prioritise follow-up engagement with suppliers who best demonstrate relevant experience and understanding. In the event of a high volume of responses, AHDB also reserves the right to apply a proportionate and transparent approach to limit the number of follow-up sessions, in accordance with its duties under Section 12 of the Procurement Act 2023.

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 reserves the right to amend or cancel this process at any stage.

Should AHDB proceed, a formal tender opportunity may be advertised in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Current indicative timelines suggest a tender notice could be published from 29 September 2025, with contract commencement expected in early 2026.

Subject to internal approvals and insights gathered through this pre-market engagement, AHDB may consider reduced timescales for any future procurement where appropriate and justifiable—taking into account factors such as supplier readiness, proportionality, market familiarity, and the clarity or urgency of the requirement. Where reduced timescales are considered, a Planned Procurement Notice will be published in accordance with Section 15 of the Procurement Act 2023 to enable this.

Suppliers are asked to declare any potential conflicts of interest. AHDB will manage disclosures transparently. 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.