As a new year kicks off and as government Departments plan their procurement activity for the year, there is a steady release of Notices of upcoming Approaches to Market (ATMs) and Industry Briefs. This is a growing trend and good practice allowing industry some preparation time prior to the release of a Request for Tender (RFT). The majority of these Notices are coming from Defence, and this week we look at two Military Communications related procurements.
SEA1442 Phase 5 – Maritime Tactical C3 Sub Program – Industry Brief
A continuous communications upgrade program, SEA 1442 is at Phase 5, which seeks to modernise maritime communications with a focus on interoperability and system commonality. The project scope includes a number of the complimentary elements that make up modern maritime communications systems, including networks, aggregation and encryption equipment, bearers and antennas.
An industry brief is being held on the 19 February 2020 at Brindabella Business Park, ACT to provide early information on the program. These briefs are not mandatory and do not have any bearing on future procurement activity for the project. They do however offer an early insight into the planned procurement and a networking opportunity with potential industry partners (or competitors!)
Date: Wednesday 19 February 2020
Time: 1000 – 1100 (Canberra Time) – Registration opens at 0930, Industry Brief will commence at 1000 and conclude at 1100 with morning tea/networking to follow in the foyer.
Venue: Alastair Swayn Theatre, 35 Brindabella Circuit, Brindabella Business Park, ACT 2609
Joint Project (JP) 9102 Australian Defence Satellite Communications system
Unlike most Notices which provide general advice of an upcoming ATM, this one also seeks registration of potential tenderers interested in participating in any related RFT process to facilitate future communications. Current scope includes:
a. Space Segment: indicatively four (4) Defence owned geo-stationary communications satellites providing coverage over the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean Regions;
b. Ground Segment: upgrading or replacing the existing Wideband and Narrowband Satellite Ground Stations.
c. Control Segment: an ICT based SATCOM Management System that enables the operation of the ASDSS in a contested, degraded, or operationally limited environment, including spacecraft and payload control, planning, resource allocation, monitoring, and troubleshooting; and
d. Facilities: The Project is also scoped to deliver two new Satellite Operation (SATOPS) centres, a primary and an alternate to accommodate the increased SATOPS workforce and elements of the SATCOM Management System.
Defence intends to engage a single prime contractor to enter into an Acquisition Contract and a Support Contract to deliver, upgrade and sustain the JP9102 capability over its life of type with a duration in the order of 25 years. Accordingly, Defence will be seeking to engage a prime contractor that offers a “best of breed” solution for the entirety of the JP9102 scope. It is to be noted that the project is still subject to Government Approval so scope and direction may change.
If you are after further advice on this topic or any opportunity listed below, feel free to contact us. You can also subscribe to this newsletter for regular weekly updates.
