July 2024 newsletter

On June 18, the bi-annual Defence Estate Capital and Sustainment Works Program Industry Briefing was held in Canberra. The emphasis was on prioritising investment in the northern base infrastructure, reinforcing the importance of getting new businesses defence-ready.

This included the $2.5b in approved capital works and a further $1.1b in unapproved works as part of the forward estimates. In addition, the lion’s share of the $8.9b of unapproved projects slated for Australia would be based in the North.

Some of the projects relevant to the NT included:

• $60-$90m for Delamare Air Warcraft ranges upgrade (Growler facilities for electronic warfare)
• $30-$40m for aviation fire truck capability across 4 sites, including Tindal
• $7-$15m for the design services at Defence Establishment Berrimah
• $90-$100m for the Enhanced High-Frequency Comms, which includes works in Darwin and Mt Bundy.

A recording of the session will be posted to AusTender.

Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition is the premier platform for interaction between defence, industry and government of all levels being held in Melbourne September 11-13. Although we are still finalising our delegation we would love to congratulate the following businesses who will be attending Land Forces 2024 in Melbourne to exhibit with DefenceNT, showcasing the very best of the Northern Territory’s capability and capacity for defence works.

• AKJ Services
• Bardex Corporation
• Blue Water Shipping
• Centre for Appropriate Technology
• Charles Darwin University
• Draeger Australia Pty Ltd
• Fortress Industries
• HutSix Pty Ltd
• Industry Capability Network NT
• LifeH2O Australia Pty Ltd
• Martinus <
• Master Builders Northern Territory
• Micks Ally Fab
• MJ Builders
• NT Indigenous Business Network
• Shorebarge
• Sitzler
• Skymax

To join us at Land Forces as part of the NT Trade Delegation contact DefenceNT today.

Members of the NTVAMAC Council: Zane Dolbel, Michelle Ivers, Bob Shrewing OAM, Annette Rudd (DefenceNT), the Hon Brent Potter (Minister for Veterans' Affairs), Don Milford (resigned), Michael Prentice, Benjamin Bruce, Shane Pascoe-Bell, Hannah Taino-spick

The Northern Territory Veterans’ Affairs Ministerial Advisory Council (NTVAMAC) recently welcomed five new members, bringing the total to 13.

Established in 2018 as a non-statutory advisory board to the then serving Minister for Veterans’ Affairs in the Northern Territory, the Council's members reflect the diverse demographics of veterans residing in the Territory, including veterans from all three services.

Members are selected through a public expression of interest process. They bring lived experiences and unique perspectives to NTVAMAC, which ensures the voices of Territory veterans are heard and actively engaged.

NTVAMAC was instrumental in developing the Northern Territory Defence Veterans Strategy, and is a crucial participant in the implementation of Operation Thrive, the Northern Territory Government's action plan to make the Territory an attractive place for veterans and their families to reside.

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program will fund small to medium enterprises to build Australia’s sovereign capability, global competitiveness, technical superiority and national security. The grants will be awarded over four years from 2024-25 to 2027-28.

There are four streams within the program:

• Sovereign industrial priorities
• Exports
• Security
• Skilling

For more information, visit business.gov.au.

Exercise Pitch Black will return this year from 12 July to 2 August. Held every two years, this is the largest in its 43-year history. It will bring together 21 international participants and over 140 aircraft from around the world, with approximately 4435 personnel taking part.

Key dates include:

• Thursday, 18 July – Mindil Beach Fly Past: Over 45 military aircraft from Australia, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the USA will perform flypasts and displays between 5 pm and 6:30 pm.
• Saturday, 20 July – RAAF Darwin Open Day: A free community event requiring pre-purchased (free) tickets. It’s a great opportunity to see the latest operational aircraft and meet air and ground crews from over 20 nations participating in Exercise Pitch Black.

For more information about both events, visit the official event page.

The Estate Works Program (EWP) Works Schedule has been updated, providing details of planned tender releases over the next 12 months to assist industry in planning for future opportunities.

The EWP delivers facilities and infrastructure maintenance projects aimed at restoring or sustaining capability. Valued from $10k to $15m, EWP projects focus on addressing safety and compliance requirements on the Defence estate.

You can find a copy of the EWP Forward Works Schedule at defence.gov.au. Once released, all EWP opportunities are published via AusTender.

Interested in the opportunity to influence AIDN’s national policy and ensure AID NT remains vibrant and relevant?

Nominations to join the AIDN NT committee for 2024 are now open. The organisation is looking for individuals who wish to be part of the growing AIDN network, have the energy and drive to contribute to the defence industry, and can dedicate a few hours a month to AIDN activities and initiatives.

Contact Siân Rogers, AIDN NT Project Officer at 0458 841 871 or aidnnt@aidn.org.au to apply. Applications close 19 July, 2024.

The Ventia 2024 Community Grants Program is now open, offering grants of up to $2,000 to help community groups make a positive impact in their areas.

Previous recipients include:

• Birth and Beyond Parent Resource Centre Alice Springs
• Darwin City Brass Band Association
• Reeling Veterans
• Waratah Football club

Applications close 31 July, 2024. For more information, visit Ventia.com.

Team Defence Australia is calling for Expressions of Interest to take part in the Australian industry delegation for the Association of the United States Army - Annual Meeting & Exposition 2024
(AUSA 24).

Held in Washington DC, USA, from 14-16 October, AUSA 24 is the largest land power exposition and professional development forum in North America, and is an opportunity to connect with over 33,000 registrants from around the world.

Registrations are open on the ICN Gateway page. For any questions, contact teamdefence.australia@defence.gov.au.

The Australian Government is providing grants to empower community organisations to improve cyber security awareness campaigns among vulnerable Australians.

Developed under the Act Now, Stay Secure campaign, the objectives are to build and uplift the nationwide baseline cyber security capability amongst the Australian community as well as infrastructure, including small business and local governments and reduce the economic and social impact of cybercrime.

Applications close 11 July, 2024. For more information, visit the Current Grant Opportunity page.

Projects in contract:

• Darwin Ship Lift Project
• EST00346 Tindal Redevelopment / EST00347 KC-30A Facilities
• RAAF Darwin Refresh Program
• USFPI Northern Territory Training Areas & Ranges Project
• PAF160700 Squadron Operations Facility, Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin
• PAF180700 Squadron Operations Facility, Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal

Opportunities

BAE Global Access Program

BAESA/GAP Industry Training: Estimating for Defence: Expression of Interest

A newly evolved two-day course designed by BAE Systems Australia's Estimating and Pricing Team, and delivered in partnership with GAP. The course aims to increase supplier knowledge and expertise in estimating and presenting a price to a customer. For further information, please see the course synopsis attached to the work package.

BAE Systems Australia: Navigating Defence Series: Register for your location now in the appropriate work package.

This series is designed to provide SMEs with improved knowledge in areas where standards can be difficult to achieve or maintain, including:

• Estimating and Pricing
• Supplier Quality Assurance
• Export Controls
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification   Awareness (CMMC)

The course content applies equally to existing supply chain partners and those seeking to offer products or services in the future.

ADF Equipment Cleaning Contract - RFT38743

The Commonwealth is planning a single-stage open market Request for Tender (RFT) for the Provision of Equipment Cleaning Services to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The ADF is required to comply with all biosecurity standards mandated by the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). It is anticipated that the relevant RFT documentation for the Equipment Cleaning Contract will be released through AusTender between July and August 2024.

For more information visit tenders.gov.au.

Joint Logistics Command Defence Warehousing, Distribution and Support Services –JLC23-001

Joint Logistics Command (JLC) is working towards approaching the market at the end of July 2024 for the JLC23-001 Defence Warehousing, Distribution and Support Services (DWDSS) Contract Tender. The DWDSS Contract will replace and provide similar services to JLC's extant Warehousing and Distribution (W&D) and Retail Stores Services (RSS) contracts. JLC intends to provide an RFT Open Period of 13 weeks.

For more information visit tenders.gov.au.

Enhanced Aerial Surveillance Program

Defence recently provided an industry update on the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) Aerial Surveillance Program. A $2.5 billion commitment over 30 years, it is the cornerstone of Australia’s defence engagement with the Pacific. The tender for the Non-Military Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles has now closed. The tender for the Fixed-Wing Aerial Surveillance Services contract is expected to be released in Q3/4 2024.

For more information, visit Tenders.gov.au – PMSP-2022-0003.

Design Services Market Sounding Process – Defence Capital Works Projects

The Department of Defence is inviting participation in a market sounding process for design services for anticipated works in response to the Defence Strategic Review. The scope includes:

• Roads, car parking, hardstands, pavements,   and taxiways
• Replacement of existing office   accommodation, living-in accommodation, range control facilities, etc.
• Large-scale civil/range systems
• Ancillary external facilities
• External infrastructure (above and below   ground)

For more information and to submit your response, visit tenders.gov.au – SEG-CFI-20230901A.