PQ0461 - Proof of concept: Urban Farm in Birmingham - pilot funded by Horizon 2020 Food Trails Project

Birmingham City Council (The Council) are looking for a supplier to deliver a Proof of Concept of urban food growing at scale specifically on rooftops in a large city location.

The Proof of concept (PoC), also known as proof of principle, is a realisation of a certain method or idea in order to demonstrate its feasibility, or a demonstration in principle with the aim of verifying that some concept or theory has practical potential. This is expected to test feasibility of business concepts and accelerate business innovation goals.

This Proof of Concept is looking to test the viability and deliverability of food growing on rooftops in large city, like Birmingham, as well as test the transferability and scalability of the concept. The test site has been chosen by the Council in Jewellery Quarter and is located at a top level of a multi storey car park. Planning application is currently in the system to deal with technical aspects of growing on the location.

The Supplier will have a demonstrable experience of growing food (including in rooftop settings and will have broad knowledge of year-round growing technologies, i.e. vertical growing, mushroom growing or aeroponic), will have experience in setting up a local distribution hub as well as will have successfully grown a food community and led food educational activities commercially and pro-bono in communities. The provider will be able to demonstrate pre-existing links with the Birmingham hospitality sector and independent retail providers as well as with the local communities in Jewellery Quarter and Ladywood.

This is being funded from the Horizon 2020 European Union Funding for Research and Innovation.

The Council is looking for an organisation to deliver this Proof of Concept during a period of up to 3 months commencing 1st August 2023 and concluding on 31 October 2023.

The Council will be using its free to use e-tendering system (in-tend) for the administration of this procurement process and potential suppliers must register with the system to be able to express an interest. If you wish to express an interest in this opportunity, please click on the following link to access https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc/ and submit your details to register. You will then be sent details on how to log on which will enable you to download all relevant quotation documentation.

If you are unable to register with In-tend or have any questions or problems on how to use this web site please either email us at: cps@birmingham.gov.uk

Your completed tender submission should be returned by noon on 26th July 2023 via the 'in-tend' system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/birminghamcc

Additional information: If you are interested in tendering please click on the following link to access Birmingham City Council's tender Portal.

Delivery Notes

Birmingham

Funding Type (WEFO or EU) : European Union

Funding Description

This is being funded from the Horizon 2020 European Union Funding for Research & Innovation

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No