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The Government has awarded several contracts under a qualification process that paves the way for the Australian businesses to enter UK and US submarine supply chains, underscoring further progress in delivering the AUKUS program.

The Defence Industry Vendor Qualification (DIVQ) Program aims to enable Australian businesses to supply their products and services into the AUKUS trilateral submarine industrial base. It provides a vital conduit for helping Australian businesses, supporting high-skilled and well-paid jobs in locations across the country, including in regional Australia.

Through the DIVQ Program, the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) is working with AUKUS partners to streamline processes and support the qualification of Australian businesses and their products and services.

The contracts to HIFraser, Mack Valves, Bale Defence and STAUFF Corporation, announced today, will enable these businesses to commence manufacture of a sample of standard US Navy valves and pipe fittings as part of their qualification process – a critical step to becoming approved vendors within the US submarine industrial base. Once qualified, these businesses will have the opportunity to manufacture and supply valves or pipe fittings for use in the construction and sustainment of a range of navy platforms, including Virginia class submarines.

HIFraser, Mack Valves, Bale Defence and STAUFF Corporation are Australian businesses with strong histories supporting Defence projects, including the Collins class submarine capability.

HIFraser has signed an initial contract with the Australian Government, to produce 15 valves (five lots of three valve types). HiFraser will also be producing pipe fittings for qualification. HIFraser employs 135 Australians, with locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and O’Connor (WA).
Mack Valves has signed an initial contract with the Australian Government to produce 15 valves (five lots of three valve types). Mack Valves employs 33 Australians, with locations in Townsville, Wollongong, Melbourne and Adelaide.
Bale Defence has signed an initial contract to manufacture pipe fittings. Bale Defence employs 44 Australians in Port Macquarie NSW.
STAUFF Corporation has signed an initial contract to manufacture pipe fittings. Stauff Corporation employs 92 Australians with locations in Wollongong, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Once qualified these businesses will become part of the US supply chains, giving them the opportunity to receive orders to meet demand. This Australian Government funding gives them that opportunity to prove their manufacturing capability and in partnership with our AUKUS partners supports the approval process. Qualification takes time; the DIVQ gets Australian business ready to meet demand.

For further information on becoming involved in the build and sustainment supply chains, the Defence Industry Vendor Qualification Program and industry engagement activities, companies can register their interest through the ICN Gateway.

Read full press release>

Army Innovation Day 2025 Challenge

– Land-Air Autonomous Tactical Teaming in the Littoral at Scale

Army is seeking submissions demonstrating innovative capabilities to enhance the range and lethality, sustainment, and survivability of Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS)-enabled forces for operations in distributed littoral environments. Capabilities should support platoon or troop size RAS-enabled forces, enabling soldiers and systems to continually adapt and seize advantages with emerging and disruptive technologies.

Submissions must meet a minimum entry TRL of 5 and meet an exit TRL of 8 Projects are required to deliver a minimum prototype quantity for test and evaluation (Q4 2026), with training for Army units in Q1 2027) for deployment in Operation Talisman Sabre (July 2027).

Systems are to be focused on the application of AI, autonomy, quantum technologies and power and energy technologies aligned with the themes of:

Range and Lethality – extended range and lethality outcomes through the employment of autonomous systems. Range may be extended through the operating envelope and one-to-many control. Lethality may be extended using autonomy to enable precision loitering munitions and swarm operations.
Sustainment – double the land combat service support (CSS) system, using RAS to increase capacity at the tactical edge. Systems may include alternative power and energy capabilities, autonomous systems, and reducing supply chain demand through electrification and associated technologies.
Survivability – supporting land force survivability through autonomous system enhancements.

Submissions are due 11am AEDT, 3 February 2025 via AusTender: Ref LCD-22-0002-AID25.

Information Session

An Industry Briefing will be held in-person and via GovTeams on Thursday 12 December 2024. Register here.

BAE Systems Australia: First Nations Business Information Series – Collaboration driving success

We are pleased to present a series of information & knowledge sessions for First Nations businesses interested in knowing more about BAE Systems Australia and our supply chain. These easy to attend online sessions will equip participants with greater understanding of defence industry and help navigate supplying to BAE Systems Australia.

Hosted by the Industry Capability Team, Session #3 topic:

SMEs driving success together: how collaboration can accelerate it – The Indigenous business sector is made up of mainly micro, small and medium businesses. It can be difficult for those micro and small business to achieve the structure and capability needed for the defence industry. The risk is those smaller businesses can only access the very small contracts that come available. It doesn’t have to be the case. David Pender, the Principal of Knowledge Perspectives will lead an interactive workshop that will show how, through collaborating with others, micro business can act like small ones and small ones like medium, developing capability together. The workshop uses the same principles BAE Systems is applying in its Partnering4Success program and that David is presenting to BAE Systems teams. The aim of the session will be to identify many of the opportunities that exist and the first steps required to exploit them.

Date: Tuesday 10 December 2024
Length: 90 mins
Time: 2:30pm-4:00pm Sydney Melbourne-time | 2pm-3.30pm Adelaide-time | 11.30am-1pm Perth-time
Online: MS Teams
Registration: Calendar invite following registration, active link provided on the day
Cost: Free

If you are interested in attending this session, please register here via our survey form.

If you have any questions regarding this series please contact Damien Halliday directly on damien.halliday@baesystems.au

Announcement

Thank you to all those who attended the Defence Digital Engineering Industry Webinar held on 2nd October.

During the webinar, participants had the opportunity to engage with some of our leadership team via a panel discussion and we are incredibly pleased by the amount of engagement we had with industry.

This included many topical questions from our participants which led to some great discussions which, in turn will feed into our future engagement activities. Owing to time limitations, we were only able to answer a few questions and as discussed, we are sharing the responses via the attached FAQ document.

This will address the scope of the roadmap, plans to overcome expected challenges, engagement with industry and academia, integration of data, tools, and models, and changes to acquisition and sustainment.

For those of you who were unable to join us, a recording of the event can be viewed from: Defence Digital Engineering Industry Webinar. We would also invite you to download a copy of the strategy using this link: Digital Engineering Strategy 2024.

We hope these FAQs have addressed your concerns and provided additional clarity. For further questions please feel free to reach out to us directly at digital.engineering@defence.gov.au

Thank you again for your engagement and participation.

CASG – Engineering, Technology and Materiel Logistics

Department of Defence

The EMDG program provides grants to Australian small and medium enterprises and their representative bodies to:

market and promote their goods and services globally
undertake export training

Round 4 applications open for Tiers 1, 3 and representative bodies

The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) online portal remains open for the following grant categories:

Tier 1 – ready to export
Tier 3 - exporting to new key markets
Representative bodies.

It will remain open until all funds are allocated. This may happen quickly, so don't delay. Even if you lodge your application prior to the closure of the online portal, you may not be successful. This is because the grant funding may have been already fully allocated to other applicants.

EMDG Round 4 is closed for Tier 2

EMDG funding has been fully allocated for Tier 2 – exporting within existing markets. We have closed the online portal for applications for this tier.

If you missed out on applying for Tier 2, you may consider Tier 3 provided you meet all eligibility requirements.

Remember, you must submit your Export Market Development Grant application through the EMDG online portal. Make sure you have your information ready when you apply.

Once funding is fully allocated for Tiers 1, 3 and representative bodies, we will close the online portal for these applications too.

Please check the EMDG online portal for the funding allocation status for each tier. Make sure you follow the IT tips under the heading 'Improve your portal experience' to help you with a smooth lodgement process.

More info >

AUKUS Licence Free Environment

Under the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Act 2024 (DTC Amendment Act), Australia has established a licence-free environment to promote strategic collaborations with our Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) partners.

The licence-free environment exempts certain Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL) goods technology, services from permit requirements when transferring between Australia, the United States and/or the United Kingdom.

The JOSCAR-AU system was established following an initiative led by a growing number of prime contractors as registered buyers together with the Commonwealth Government.

JOSCAR-AU is a cross-sector collaborative solution that reduces the time, cost, resources and duplication currently needed to provide information to major prime customers. Holding common supplier information in a central system, the JOSCAR-AU accreditation system allows information to be accessed by all participating buying organisations.

JOSCAR-AU is designed to make the process of pre-qualification or accreditation as efficient as possible – saving your company a significant amount of the time, effort and cost associated with working for multiple clients.

Hellios enables more effective compliance with client requirements for business through a single process. Your initial registration will determine the level of pre-qualification or accreditation that your clients require, based on an automated risk profile.

Expert advice is provided throughout the process to guide you including identifying potential business improvement opportunities that may increase your competitive advantage.

Registration on JOSCAR-AU is either by invitation from your registered JOSCAR-AU buyer or via self nomination. If your buyer has asked you to complete the JOSCAR-AU questionnaire, they will contact Hellios directly on your behalf. Hellios will then process this request and send a link to the questionnaire for you to complete. If you would like to self nominate, please reach out at joscar@hellios.com.au.

BAESA/GAP Industry Training: Estimating For Defence

BAE Systems Australia and the Global Access Program are pleased to once again offer Estimating & Pricing Industry Training during 2024.

Delivering competitive and defendable proposals for Defence requires a variety of estimating techniques to build robust, credible and defendable Basis of Estimates. Learn how to challenge your cost base, supplier quotes, estimates and price, and submit a compliant proposal that meets customer requirements, represents value for money, and can survive a cost investigation.

Estimating For Defence is a two day course developed by Estimating & Pricing (E&P) at BAE Systems Australia, and delivered in partnership with the Global Access Program (GAP).

To register, please click on the BAE Systems supplier portal link now - http://BAESystemsSupplierPortal.icn.org.au

If you require any further information, please contact Megan Allan directly on megan.allan@baesystems.au.

Open to Industry partners Based in Australia, Canada, and the UK

The Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) aims to coalesce and expand the defense industrial base (DIB) in support of the Manufacturing, Capability Expansion, and Investment Prioritization Directorate (MCEIP) critical sectors and additional areas of interest. To align with the recent modification to the definition of Domestic Source for Title III of the Defense Production Act, and in keeping with the MCEIP vision of delivering a resilient U.S. supply chain and workforce able to respond in times of national security crisis, DIBC is excited to announce that we are opening membership to Industry partners in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This increased level of collaboration will aid the DIBC in achieving MCEIP’s mission and vision.

The application to become a DIBC member can be found here. International members will need to apply for a NCAGE Code and UEI prior to joining DIBC. To apply for a NCAGE code, each organization will need to register at https://sam.gov/. Instructions on how to register can be found here.

If you have questions about the application process, please feel free to reach out to dibconsortium@ati.org.

SME Connect Programs

Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has announced a $20 million investment to provide small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with greater access to vital research and development (R&D) opportunities to accelerate their growth.

The funding will allow CSIRO’s SME Connect team to support up to 750 SMEs through a range of programs and initiatives that provide facilitation, training, dollar-matched funding and support to start-ups and SMEs seeking to engage in company-led research projects.

One of the programs being supported is SME Connects flagship program, CSIRO Kick-Start. Since its inception in 2017, the Kick-Start program has facilitated over 280 company-led R&D projects, with alumni companies collectively holding a market value exceeding $2 billion.

Dr Doug Hilton, CSIRO’s Chief Executive, emphasised the significance of this investment and the transformative impact it would have for Australia’s critical SME sector.

The Victorian Land Systems Fund – Supply Chain Uplift Program will support Victorian defence industry businesses to work with Hanwha Defense Australia (Hanwha) as part of its supply chain. The program will help build businesses’ capabilities so they can help Hanwha deliver the Commonwealth Government’s $1 billion Land 8116 Self-Propelled Howitzer program.

Funding will support eligible Victorian businesses to:

gain relevant accreditations and meet industry specific compliance requirements
prepare tenders
undertake minor facilities upgrades and equipment fit outs
develop new or enhance current defence products or services
undertake defence R&D
participate in trade missions to pursue collaboration and export opportunities.

Businesses must engage with Hanwha and receive its support before applying.

Applications to the Victorian Land Systems Fund Supply Chain Uplift Program are now open and close on 30 June 2024 or until funds have been exhausted.

Defence Industry Development Grants Program

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program (the program) will award grants over four years from 2024-25 to 2027-28. The program was announced as part of the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The objective of the program is to build the industrial base Australia needs to achieve Defence outcomes in areas of strategic priority.

The Defence Industry Development Grants Program funds four distinct grant opportunity streams tailored to address the program outcomes:

Sovereign Industrial Priorities
Skilling
Exports
Security.

These four grants opportunities will be assessed in batches. We will regularly update the closing dates for each batch on this page. You can apply at any time.

All projects are due to be completed by 31 Mar 2028.

About the streams

The Sovereign Industrial Priorities stream will assist eligible small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to purchase manufacturing plant and equipment which is used directly to develop and/or deliver programs that are in line with the Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIPs) described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Skilling stream helps Australian defence industry to upskill and train in priority trade, technical and professional skillsets to develop a workforce with the right mix of qualified and experienced personnel to meet Defence requirements. The program will enhance the capacity and capability of Australian defence industry workforce to deliver SDIPs described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Exports stream provides support for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to overcome export barriers and help defence industry build scale and competitiveness in defence capability priority areas as identified by the SDIPs described in the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

The Security stream helps Australian defence industry improve and maintain security in priority areas as identified by the SDIPs and in line with the Defence Industry Security Program.

More info >

Industry Growth Program - Support for Innovative SMEs to Commercialise and Grow their Business

The program supports innovative small and medium enterprises undertaking commercialisation and/or growth projects within the National Reconstruction Fund priority areas through advisory services and opportunities for matched grant funding. Minor changes or improvements to existing products or services are not considered innovative.

You will be connected to an Industry Growth Program Adviser who will provide tailored advice to support your commercialisation and/or growth project.

Once you have received this advice, you may also be able to apply for:

grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to support early-stage commercialisation projects
grants of $100,000 to $5 million for commercialisation and growth projects.

More info >

Australian Space Industry Capability Database

The Australian Space Industry Capability database will open for industry submissions from mid-July. Companies can upload information on their:

• Location

• Capability

• Workforce

The database has been developed by SIAA and is supported by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), the Australian Space Agency, the Office of Defence Industry Support and SmartSat CRC.

Australia Partner Network

Leidos Australia is focused on working with Australian Industry for delivery of all of our projects. We know the importance of supporting the growth of sovereign capability and would like to work with more Australian businesses at all stages of our delivery lifecycle.

We encourage Australian companies, who are interested in working with us on the opportunities identified above or on other business requirements as they arise, to complete the following registration form.

In your submission, you should highlight your experience with any relevant Defence, Intelligence, ICT and cyber capabilities and technologies. Our team will then be in touch to identify potential next steps.

ODIS provides a range of grants to support defence industry businesses. These grants help Australian small and medium enterprises grow to meet Defence capability needs and join global defence industry supply chains.

Click here to learn more about available grants

The ODIS Defence Business Readiness Tool (DBRT) is a platform used by our Industry Engagement Team to assess the Defence Readiness of Australian Small and Medium Enterprises. The DBRT is the first step in the journey to becoming a supplier to Defence.

To use this secure tool you must have an account. You can either sign in with an existing account or create a new one. You will need to provide your Australian Business Number (ABN) when registering your account.

Get Defence Ready with DBRT 2.0 and unlock the true potential of your SME within the Defence industry!