The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for managing Australia’s federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, immigration, and border-related functions, ensuring the protection and safety of the nation’s borders.

The Department, through the Australian Border Force (ABF), has issued a tender seeking Airport Capacity and Simulation Modelling Services to support border operations at Australian international airports, including the future Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), which is scheduled for completion in late 2026. The successful provider will be required to deliver capacity and simulation models to evaluate traveller pathways, air cargo processes, and operational risks, aiding in evidence-based decision-making for airport environments.

The purpose of these services is to assess the impact of business process changes to the layout, traveller flow, and ABF operations at international airports. This includes how such changes will affect ABF staffing, resources, and the physical layout of work environments.

The initial contract term is 3 years with two 12-month extension options.

The successful provider will need to:

• Develop and implement methodologies for capacity and simulation modelling outputs, such as reports, videos, and other artefacts, that assess current operations and potential future scenarios.

• Model the impacts of business process changes on traveller processing and workflows for border operations, as well as air cargo processing.

• Advise on impacts to workforce planning, including ABF staff volumes, logistics, physical layouts of work environments, and health and safety considerations.

• Support ABF project deliverables through simulation activities that enable evidence-based outputs for decision-making.

• Identify risks from capacity and scenario-based modelling and advise on possible mitigation strategies.

• Evaluate the ability of border operations to support future growth, considering forecasted increases in traveler and air cargo volumes.

• Conduct simulation modelling regarding the introduction of enhanced technologies and changes to the layouts of work environments in updated or new facilities within airport precincts.

Tenderers will be evaluated on their:

• Capability: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement airport capacity and simulation modelling solutions.

• Engagement: Ability to collaborate with Australian Border Force (ABF) stakeholders, providing insights into operational risks and scenarios.

• Compliance: Adherence to security, safety, and reporting requirements as specified in the contract terms.

This tender represents a key opportunity to support the future of Australia’s airport infrastructure and border control operations.

The closing time and date for responses will remain open until the 12^th of November 2024. 

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