Expression of interest for development, update and review of National Surveillance Protocols

Background

National Surveillance Protocols (NSPs) serve as the first point of reference for developing surveillance plans, and include information on surveillance methodology, pest/pathogen biology, pest/pathogen taxonomy, pest/pathogen identification and sample processing. NSPs contribute significantly to achieving a coordinated plant health surveillance system that meets national and international requirements.

The process of NSP development is managed by the Subcommittee on National Plant Health Surveillance (SNPHS). Three NSPs have been endorsed by SNPHS thus far to support and enhance ongoing surveillance activities. For more information on the endorsed NSPs, please visit Resources.

NSPs are developed in accordance with the SNPHS reference standard. The reference standard provides guidelines to authors in developing national surveillance protocols, and in ensuring that relevant, consistent and up-to-date information is included. The Reference Standard also outlines the workflow for the development and approval processes of NSPs before they are submitted to SNPHS for endorsement. Following endorsement, NSPs are reviewed for currency every two years, or earlier if required.

The current project

The National Plant Biosecurity Surveillance Professional Development and Protocol project is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to enhance Australians plant pest surveillance capability and capacity to detect and identify plants that impact Australia's plant industries, the environment and the community.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest to undertake the following NSP development activities:

Update of draft NSP for:

• Spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii)
• Exotic invasive snails (various)

Development of new draft NSPs for:

• Honey bee viruses (Honey bee viruses)
• Panama disease (Fusarium oxysporum sp. cubense Tropical Race 4)
• Plum pox virus (Plum pox virus)
• Exotic armyworm (Spodoptera spp.)
• Pine pitch canker (Fusarium circinatum)
• Grapevine leaf rust (Phakopsora euvitis)
• Texas root rot (Phymatotrichum omnivorum)
• Karnal bunt (Tilletia indica)
• The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula)
• Dutch elm disease (Ophiostoma ulmi)
• Sudden oak death and phytophthora blight (Airborne Phytophthora)
• Polyphagous shot hole borer (Euwallacea fornicatus)

Review of the draft NSP for:

• African citrus psyllids (Diaphorina citri)

Applicants should refer to the SNPHS reference standard for more details on the development and endorsement processes of an NSP.

Please note that the development and submission of reports for all NSPs is required to be completed by 29 March 2024.

Eligibility

To be eligible you must have relevant expertise, be employed in a plant health surveillance role or similar, in an organisation in Australia or New Zealand, and be a member of the Plant Surveillance Network Australasia-Pacific (PSNAP).

Application process

To submit an expression of interest, download the application form from the PSNAP website, complete the required fields, and submit to the NSP Coordinator at NSPCoordinator@phau.com.au.

Assessment of applications

All applications will be assessed by SNPHS, based on the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated experience and expertise in the pest group(s) or related pest(s) to be covered in the NSPs
2. Value for money
3. Ability to complete the project in the contracted timeframe. Development and report submissions are required to be completed by 29 March 2024.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the NSP Coordinator, and they will be provided instructions on how to progress.

Guide to budgets

Applicants are requested to propose budgets for development/update of the NSP with appropriate justification.

As a guideline, an indicative budget of up to $2,000 (GST exclusive) is provided for the technical review of an NSP.

Timelines

Applications close at 5.00pm AEDT 15 January 2024. Successful applicants will be informed by 31 January 2024.

Key contact and further information

If you would like further information, please contact the NSP Coordinator at NSPCoordinator@phau.com.au.

For more details on the eligibility, application process, assessment process, guide to budgets and timeline, please download the Guidelines.

Download the Application form.

Download the Reference Standard.