Earlier this year the Department of Defence issued an Invitation to Register Interest (ITR) for the Defence Fuel Services Transformation Program (DFTP). This week sees the second stage of this procurement, with the release of the Request for Proposal (RFP). The DFTP is a program aimed at creating a safer, simpler and more assured Defence Fuel Network (DFN), one aspect being the implementation of the Fuel Services Contract (FSC). Through industry input in the ITR stage Defence has determined that the best way ahead is the introduction of one integrated managing contractor under an arrangement that combines:
a. Maintenance Services, Operating Services and Strategic Asset Management Services (Asset Management Services); and
b. Strategic Inventory Management Services and Fuel Supply (including bulk Fuel Supply), (Fuel Services)
This RFP will seek to shortlist potential respondents who are capable of fulfilling the strategic intent of the program. Should shortlisting occur, it will be only the shortlisted respondents that will be invited to participate in the RFT and/or subsequent procurement process.
While it will be one managing contractor sslected, Defence is keen to see evidence of a teaming approach throughout the supply chain.
Defence plans to execute the FSC by June 2021 and as such will be looking to release the next stage of the procurement in the second/third quarter of 2020.
An industry Briefing was held on the 1st Nov 19, if you missed this briefing the details will be published on Austender in due course. The RFP is due on the 4 Feb 20.
As part of the overall DFTP, Defence has released another two opportunities, considered to be ‘Risk reduction’ exercises at RAAF Base Richmond and RAAF Williamtown. Both these tenders are intended to address current and immediate deficiencies in the Defence Fuel Supply Chain and risks and issues that have been identified in the Defence Fuel Network Review. The RFTs are due on the 26th of November and require a Deed of Confidentiality in order to site the detailed project scopes.
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