Latest News from ADA-Vic

Hi Juanita,

Although COVID case numbers in Victoria are on a downward trend we know that the health sector is still facing critical staff shortages. This is demonstrated with the Australian Defence Force having been called in to assist the Victorian Government with ambulance drivers and planners as part of Operation COVID-19 Assist. Operation COVID-19 Assist has previously supported the Victorian Department of Health, Victoria Police and hotel quarantine. ADA-Vic would like to thank the ADF for their support.

We know that things are still very tough for Victorian businesses. We are here to help and advocate for our members. We would also like to hear from you if you have any news or stories about your business that may be of interest to other businesses and organisations.

We look forward to hearing from you.

mailto:info@australiandefencealliance.org.au

Common User Facility 2022 Update

It’s been a productive year at the Vic Gov Common User Facility (CUF). In 2021, the CUF saw several new subscribers and as of Jan of 2022, that number is increasing.

With the reduction in the ability to travel interstate for business, the CUF has been critical to a number of our subscribers, enabling secure communications via the Defence networks located on site.
The video conference room located within the CUF has been effectively utilised to facilitate secure video conferences between SME’s Defence Primes and CoA.
The Development Lab (Dev Lab) which can accommodate up to six (8) users, has reportedly been an effective space for limited collaborative taskings in support of classified activities. As a matter of course, strict adherence to safe workplace procedures associated with Covid-19 precautions has been a priority.

We look forward to assisting the greater innovation community, SME’s and Universities into 2022 and beyond.

Victorian Common User Facility

The Common User Facility (CUF) is a Defence Security and Vetting Service (DS&VS) secret-accredited facility funded by the Victorian State Government, located in the Melbourne CBD. The CUF is designed for use by SME’s, Universities and members of the Victorian Innovation Community to enable short-term, classified activities to be undertaken in a secure environment. The CUF has several offices, a larger ‘Development Lab’ and a secure conferencing facility.

From Defence:

Deakin University has received a $5 million contract to further develop its augmented and virtual naval firefighting system. See more here.

Other News:

Mr Ben Hudson has been announced as the new CEO of BAE Systems Australia. Ms Gaby Costigan is being promoted to the UK based BAE group managing director of business development. See more here.

Victorian Common User Facility

If industry requires access to secure communications facilities to engage with Defence, this can be provided through the Victorian Common User Facility.

Defence Industry Support Tools

The Office of Defence Industry Support has a number of tools to support defence SMEs. The Defence Business Readiness Tool, the Digital Readiness Assessment Tool, and the Cyber Security Assessment Tool.

Links to Grant and other Programs:

Australian Defence Export Office Pitch Training Program

The ADEO, in partnership with Marketing Entourage, have created a five week online pitch training program specifically for businesses looking to export defence and dual use goods and services. This training is fully subsidised for Australian Defence Industry businesses.

The program is specifically designed to improve the chances of success for Australian defence industry companies when engaging with opportunities to pitch their capabilities to foreign military and military suppliers. The training is delivered through a series of webinars, online modules and one-to-one pitch practice sessions.

Australian Defence Industry businesses are encouraged to apply by registering their interest at the link below. Multiple people from the same business can be included as a single application. Limited spaces are available on each cohort and the ADEO will prioritise businesses who have recently participated in an industry delegation with TDA.

Click here to learn more about the Online Pitch Training Program and to register your interest.

BAE Systems Hunter Class Opportunities

BAE Systems Maritime Australia’s Innovation team is seeking Expressions of Interest from industry to support the Hunter Class Frigate Program (HCFP) to:

Investigate manufacturing technologies, materials, coatings, and processes with the potential to improve the sail away performance of the nine Hunter class frigates;
Investigate infrastructure, the workforce, and shipyard capabilities to ensure the Osborne Naval Shipyard maintains high levels of productivity, quality and safety; and,
Investigate ongoing maintenance or future capability upgrades that may immediately influence the design and delivery of the nine Hunter Frigates to be built at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.

The team will evaluate submissions quarterly - with feedback - until June 2022.

Each EOI reviewed by the Hunter Innovation Team may be considered for future steps including a Request for Information (RFI) and/or Request for Proposal (RFP). This may lead to a an agreement for a scope of work which could be in the form of a Research Task, Case Study; Feasibility Studies; Proof of Concept; Prototyping; or other agreed scope of work.