The Commonwealth government is looking to identify the best practices for engagement with local industry on the delivery of test and evaluation services for defence equipment.
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Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price has announced the release of a new request for information (RFI) on AusTender for feedback from defence industry stakeholders on the best pathway for a test and evaluation (T&E) partnership.
This includes:
- seeking feedback on the preferred models for engagement with industry and other stakeholders that will support the realisation of the T&E Strategy, and encourage innovation and co-operation between Defence and across industry;
- seeking feedback on industry’s current and developing sovereign T&E capability, capacity and willingness to participate in achieving the goals of the T&E Strategy; and
- identifying opportunities and understanding the actions and investments required to accelerate the establishment of a sovereign T&E capability, inclusive of indicative time frames.
Ultimately, the RFI aims to help Defence consolidate an enterprise view of the Australian Defence T&E environment by the end of 2022.
This is expected to serve as a basis for more substantial industry partnerships in the future.
“Our government will build true partnerships with Australian-owned and controlled businesses to deliver sovereign Test and Evaluation capability for the ADF,” Minister Price said.
“It is essential that we build this sovereign capability at home so that the equipment in the hands of our troops meets the highest possible standards and can be used to keep Australians safe.
“Through this RFI we want to understand how we can form strategic partnerships with key Australian businesses to deliver test and evaluation for the ADF.”
[Related: Government earmarks $875m for nationwide ADF base upgrades]