November 2021 newsletter

While 2021 has presented some challenges, we are proud of the progress industry has made in the defence sector and the fact that the Australian Defence Force and our Allies have been able to continue their extensive training and operational programs in the Territory.

Some 2021 successes include:

• Territory contractor, Sitzler wins the USFPI Training Areas and Ranges project. Early works have now commenced.
• Major upgrades at RAAF Tindal and the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct continue to be successfully delivered by NT industry.
• US Bulk Fuel Storage Facility announced for Darwin.
• NT industry participation rate across Defence construction projects is sitting at 82%, above the national average of 75%.
• SPEE3D continue their field trails with Navy and Army in the NT.
• Life h2o is awarded 2nd Place in the Darwin Innovation Hub Croc Pitch, to enhance their water purification capability, which has recently been trailed by 1st Brigade at Bradshaw Field Training Area and on an East Timor deployment.
• OCIUS unmanned surface vessels have been trailing four of their next generation autonomous ocean monitoring vessels in the waters north-west of Darwin.
• In its tenth year, 2200 US Marines trained in the NT as part of Marine Rotation Force – Darwin.
• 500 Singaporean Airforce personnel training in the Territory throughout October and November
• Darwin supported Allied Naval vessel visits from India, Germany and Japan
• 14 NT companies featured in the 2021 Australian Military Sales Catalogue
• Soldiers from the Japan Self-Defense Force trained with Australian and US counterparts in Exercise Southern Jackaroo throughout the NT.
• DefenceNT attended Land Forces 2021 and successfully identified opportunities, albeit without a physical industry delegation due to Covid.

DefenceNT looks forward to driving opportunities for defence industry in 2022. Locally, we are planning a NT defence industry roadshow through Darwin, Katherine and Alice Springs, and to re-commence industry briefings and networking sessions. The best way to keep informed of these events is to subscribe to this newsletter and also share with colleagues and stakeholders to subscribe!

Preparations are well underway for the INDO-PACIFIC defence and maritime exposition, to be held in Sydney 10-12 May 2022. DefenceNT will lead an industry delegation to promote the Territory’s marine sector and identify opportunities through engagement with Navy, prime contractors and key suppliers. To express interest in forming part of this delegation, please email defencent@nt.gov.au

Building on INDO PACIFIC, the Northern Australian Defence Summit will be held in Darwin on 25th May, followed by LANDFORCES in Brisbane 4-6 October 2022. More news to come on these events in the new year.

DefenceNT would like to thank and acknowledge the positive impact Brigadier Ashely Collingburn DSM has had during his appointment as Commander 1st Brigade in the Territory. Ashely has led the way when it comes to facilitating a positive working relationship between Defence, DefenceNT and became well engaged with local industry, to the point of initiating field trails of NT born innovations. We would like to wish Ashley and his family all the best in their new posting location and Ashley’s new appointment. “Certa Cito”

We would also like to welcome Brigadier Nicholas Foxall AM DSM and congratulate him on his new appointment as Commander 1st Brigade we look forward to continuing our strong working relationship for the benefit of local industry.

Office closure:

The DefenceNT office will be closed from 24th December 2020 and reopen on Tuesday 4th January 2022. Enquiries can be directed to defencent@nt.gov.au

Photo credit: J. Rodgers Darwin Tug & Line Services (2021)

Gold Medal Services (GMS), a hydraulic plumbing company who has been providing sustainment solutions for Defence for over 20 years, has been recognised as leader in the NT’s defence support industry.

GMS was recently awarded the 2021 Minster’s Award for Excellence in Defence Industry at the Gala Awards evening hosted by AIDN-NT. Nominated by Ventia for always demonstrating a 5 Star service, GMS is a grass roots, Territory business who has been a key contractor for defence asset maintenance since 2002.

GMS identifies with Defence operational capability and service contingency, ensuring the ageing estate infrastructure is sustained over the longer term with no impact on Defence operations. They have been progressive in upskilling the next generation of plumbers and trades personnel and continue to invest in critical equipment to support the future infrastructure developments of Defence in the NT.

GMS have strong working relationships with other contractors, collaborating to deliver on their “Think One Defence” client focused solution. This approach is enabling smaller businesses to be exposed to defence opportunities in the maintenance and construction space.

Congratulations Jackie and John Maclean, Shane Smith and the team at GMS.

For more information on GMS capability visit https://www.gmsnt.com.au/

On the 26th November 2021, Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, launched the Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS). Sitting within Department of Defence, ODIS replaces the Centre for Defence Industry Capability, and will operate as the ‘one stop shop’ for small and medium enterprises doing business with Defence. The core function of advisory, guidance and mentoring services to small and medium enterprises remains.

ODIS will provide expert advice to assist businesses in the Territory to integrate into supply chains and grow to become more competitive defence providers. ODIS will also work directly with state and territory agencies, industry associations, SMEs and major contractors to build greater sovereign capability.

ODIS will:

• Take a proactive approach that focuses on business growth and is driven by the needs to defence.
• Provide support to SMEs that employ more than 200 employees
• Work with key partners in each state and territory—to complement their initiatives—so that together we can provide local solutions for Australia’s SMEs as they seek to work with Defence and the primes.
• Increase the competitiveness of SMEs so that they have the capability to easily integrate into supply chains and grow to become competitive defence providers in their own right.
• Work with primes to solve supply chain problems.
• Increase the number of staff working directly with SMEs to provide greater support to defence industry.
• Adopt a flexible staffing model that includes experienced and specialist staff with Air Force, Navy, Army, commercial and government backgrounds so that the advice provided to businesses is the right advice.
• Regularly review the staffing model to ensure it remains fit-for-purpose.
• Ensure that the services we offer are responsive to changes in the market, to ensure we are meeting the needs of industry.
• Have a dedicated regional SME support team to seek out regional SMEs who have the capability to enter the Defence market, support them and assist in identifying opportunities to enter Defence supply chains.
• Establish mobile hubs to accommodate the needs of industry, wherever they are located.

DefenceNT look forward to working with the ODIS industry representatives in the Territory. We will promote future ODIS briefings and events through this newsletter platform.

The Defence Business Readiness Tool is available online to assess your business against leadership, products and services, business capture and business processes to measure defence business readiness. Allocate one hour to do this assessment online.

For more information about ODIS and Defence industry support, please visit ODIS website or call 13 28 46.

DefenceNT will lead an industry delegation to INDO-PACIFIC 2022, the signature maritime industry event in the Indo Pacific, where maritime and naval suppliers can promote their capability’s to key defence and industry decision makers.

Naval infrastructure and platforms are undergoing major upgrades and new platforms, like the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels and Army amphibious craft will have a significant presence in Darwin and northern Australia in years to come.

DefenceNT invites Territory businesses who service and supply in the maritime sector to consider INDO-PACIFIC 2022 as a vital opportunity to promote updated capabilities, at a time where the NT is becoming a major forward operating base within the Indo-Pacific Region.

The international maritime exposition will be held in Sydney NSW from 10-12 May 2022. For more information click here.

To submit an Expression of Interest contact the Industry Engagement team on 08 8999 5108 or defencent@nt.gov.au

ICN Gateway is an essential tool for businesses interested in participating in defence projects in the NT and nationally. Current opportunities in the NT include:

J0109 Larrakeyah Defence Precinct Redevelopment Program

EST00346 Tindal Redevelopment / EST00347 KC-30A Facilities

USFPI Northern Territory Training Areas & Ranges Project

AMENTUM Projects

Australian Defence Export Office (upcoming Team Defence Australia tradeshows)

Other Opportunities

Estate Works Program

The Estate Works Program provides maintenance projects aimed at restoring or sustaining capability and addressing safety and compliance requirements of Defence bases, facilities and infrastructure, including those in the Northern Territory.

An update of the procurement activities from September 2021 to June 2022 and key contacts are available here:

https://www.defence.gov.au/estatemanagement/lifecycle/EstateWorksProgramManagement/Docs/EWP_ForwardProgamofTenderReleases_Sep21-Jun22.pdf

Defence Administration Assistance Program Services (18840)

- Notice - Defence Support and Reform Group

Defence Administrative Assistance Program (DAAP) provides a variety of administrative services at no cost. DAAP provides people with disability the opportunity to engage in meaningful work including shredding, document collation, and other administrative tasks. It is anticipated that the

RFT will be published in Mid December 2021 or thereafter, and close in Late February 2022.

Closing Date: 12:00 PM Tuesday 14 December 2021

Enquiries: 18840 DAAP Contract Officer, Email:nmpb.tenders@defence.gov.au

Copies of Notice: www.tenders.gov.au

LAND8710 Phase 1 (CE1) LMV-M (SHIPS/IB/22581/1)

- Industry Briefing - Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group

Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Medium LMV-M (Landing Craft) Project has a requirement to replace the LCM-8 with a Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel – Medium (LMV-M) to address the current and emerging gaps and limitations in the Joint Force’s ability to manoeuvre and sustain the force in littoral and riverine environments. The Industry Briefing Presentation provides further detail and requests feedback from industry on the requirements.

While the industry briefing date has passed, a copy of the IB can be found at www.tenders.gov.au

Defence is the largest procurement agency in the Commonwealth and with that comes some of Australia’s most complex procurement activities. Defence procurement policies are clearly defined and enable industry to deliver value for money to support Defence projects and ADF capability.

The Australian Standard for Defence Contracting (ASDEFCON) houses a suite of tendering and contracting templates to assist procurement officers with drafting of solicitation documents and contracts for goods and services acquired by Defence. For more information on ASDEFCON visit ASDEFCON Suite of Tendering and Contracting Templates | Business & Industry | CASG | Department of Defence

ASDEFCON (Complex Materiel) Volume 2is designed to be used for procurements with medium technical risk involving design, development and integration which do not justify the use of ASDEFCON (Strategic Materiel). Version 5.0 templates have now been released to incorporate the following changes:

• new provisions to align with the new enhanced Australian Industry Capability (AIC)contractual framework;
• new Cyber Insurance provisions;
• new provisions for use when the scope of work contains Commonwealth Funded Building Work (as defined in the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work 2016); and
• various updates reflecting changes in Defence policies and commercial standards.

ASDEFCON (Complex Materiel) Volume 2 version 5.0 is current as of 12 November 2021 and more information, guidance and updated contract templates can be accessed at https://www.defence.gov.au/business-industry/procurement/contracting-templates/asdefcon-suite/complex-materiel-vol-2

Users requiring guidance on any of the ASDEFCON templates should consult the ASDEFCON and Contracting Initiatives Help Desk: procurement.ASDEFCON@defence.gov.au

ADM Defence Estate and Base Services Summit – 13 December 2021

Held in Canberra, this event provides an opportunity for effective partnering between defence and industry. It also includes insights, high level debate and insight into the latest innovations designed to support Defence. For more information click here https://admevents.com.au/adm-defence-estate-and-base-services-summit/

Defence Cyber Regulatory Controls – 18 January to 22 February 2022 (online)

Defence Cyber Regulatory Controls as a requirement and a strategic advantage. This seminar will look at the current cyber threat environment and provide an understanding of how and why the cyber environment is like it is. It will cover impacts relevant to SMEs. This virtual series is intended for businesses who are needing an introductory understanding of cybersecurity and its importance in the defence market. For more information https://www.hunterdefence.org.au/defence-cyber-regulatory-controls/

Defence ISO Advanced – 27 January to 17 February 2022 (online)

Defence, CASG and defence prime contractors continue to seek innovation in current supply chains to attract new and non-traditional suppliers to the market. Presented as a virtual workshop, this seminar will provide a range of process frameworks to integrate selected ISO and non-ISO management system standards into the business management system. For more information https://www.hunterdefence.org.au/defence-iso-advanced/

ADM Congress – 3 February 2022

ADM Congress has become one of the main defence and industry conferences in the calendar. A leading procurement conference, drawing in a superior delegate audience and assisting to win major contracts, year upon year. Policy dialogue, high level debate, and extensive media coverage will once again ensure an unmissable event. This event will be held in Canberra, and more information is here https://admevents.com.au/adm-congress/

Team Defence Australia delegation at Singapore Airshow

15–20 February 2022

Expressions of Interest have now opened to form part of the Team Defence Australia delegation at Singapore Airshow.

Singapore Airshow is a biennial show which combines both military and commercial aviation in one strategic location. The event connects exhibitors with high-level military delegations, leading industry players from national airlines and airport operators, as well as government officials from the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

EOI Submissions are conducted online through Australian Defence Export Office ICN page.  and will close on 12 December 2021. It is essential the Defence Export Control component of the EOI is completed. Any companies looking for more information can contact Nathaniel.purdy@defence.gov.au

Portable and sustainable water purification systems are in high demand across all industries. Life h2o has been developing and manufacturing portable military grade water purification equipment in Darwin for the Australian Army.

“Our systems are designed to reduce operational vulnerability and the need for large scale logistic support, waste management and footprint, providing a strategic and tactical advantage. Multiple renewable and efficient energy solutions allow for off grid operations reducing signature and the need for frequent resupply,” states Managing Director, Charley Feros.

This year Life h2o has been working with Royal Australian Army – 1st Combat Engineer Regiment (1CER) – to trial water purification systems on deployment to Bradshaw Field Training Area as part of Exercise Koolendong with the US Marine rotation and in East Timor. ADF have since identified this military grade water purification technology as a critical capability that improves survivability and supports positive mission outcomes.

Life h2o recently placed 2nd in the annual Croc Pitch venture capital competition for entrepreneurs who are developing a scalable innovation or technology that will provide a direct benefit to the NT.

To learn more about Life h2o unique capabilities, visit: https://www.lifeh2o.com.au/

Griffin Marine Services, a national ship maintenance company that expanded to Darwin four years ago, has grown and developed its Darwin workforce to support the increasing naval presence in the Northern Australia.

Griffin Marine is investing in workforce upskilling to win more work associated with the naval and commercial maritime infrastructure which will position Darwin as a regional ship repair and maintenance hub.

“This investment is already attracting a larger Royal Australian Navy, Allied Navy, and commercial vessel presence, so we have identified a capability gap that needs to be filled to better service our clients moving forward,” says Operations Director Martyn Stroud.

19 year old apprentice, Ellie Wauchope, is Griffin Marine’s first female employee to attain DNV rated marine welding certification.

“This is a testament to Ellie and her commitment to pursuing a career in a predominately male industry.”

Ellie believes people her age, who have grown up in the Territory, have an opportunity to develop long term careers here. “I am fortunate to work in the maritime service and sustainment sector, particularly at a time where more vessels are frequenting the harbour. I am looking forward to working on Navy’s new Arafura Class Patrol Vessels which will be based in Darwin.”

Griffin Marine Services is committed to the Territory for the long term. In addition to striving for a 100% local workforce, they are nurturing smaller Darwin businesses in the maritime industry by giving the opportunity to work on vessels, in sub-contractor arrangements.

“Thales has been very supportive of our move to the Territory and how we have remained committed to local content through staffing and using local contractors and suppliers to deliver on the Armidale Class Patrol Boat contract.”

To learn more about the capabilities of Griffin Marine Services, visit: http://www.griffinmarineservices.com.au/

If your business has a good news story to share, please let us know at defencent@nt.gov.au to be featured in future editions.