Over the last four years, Army Innovation Day has developed into a great opportunity for SMEs to showcase new ideas and technology. With the implementation of the Defence Innovation Hub, a suite of mechanisms to take these ideas and develop real solutions for Defence now exists. This week, Defence has issued a Call for Submissions seeking proposed innovations that will help shape Army’s approach to the challenges of novel weapons and novel effects. They are seeking innovations that would work in a combined arms team in a joint environment in the area of Novel Weapons, Countermeasures or Effects.
Submissions are due by 13 Sep 17 and will undergo an initial assessment where Defence will select up to 30 respondents to display, exhibit and demonstrate their proposed innovation at Army Innovation Day 2017 (AID17) which will be held on 6 Nov 17. Following AID17, Defence will conduct a final assessment of the submission and may invite one or more respondents to participate in a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. If a proposal is successful in the RFP process, Defence will invite the successful respondent(s) to negotiate or execute an Innovation Contract which will be for the conduct of user trials and evaluations in relation to the proposed innovation, in Australian Army units within 12 months of AID17. These contract types are fairly new for Defence, and have been implemented in a few cases already with success. This is a great opportunity, particularly for SME’s, to present new innovations without a burdensome tendering process, and provides access to the relevant Defence personnel for discussion.
If you are after specific advice on this or any other opportunity listed below, feel free to contact us.
