Latest News from ADA-Vic

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In one of what is probably the most significant national security decisions in decades, the Federal Government announced, last night, that they will acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, effectively scrapping the $90B submarine program with Naval Group.

The details of the plan to purchase the nuclear subs will be determined over the next 18 months The initiative is part of a new trilateral advanced defense agreement with the United States and the United Kingdom, (AUKUS).

Defence Innovation Review

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price announced on Monday 13th of September, a comprehensive review of Defence innovation, science and technology to help ensure the Australian Defence Force has access to the most cutting-edge capability in the world. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price announced former Rio Tinto Australia managing director David Peever would lead the independent review.

The review aims to examine the Defence organisation in its entirety to establish how it can more effectively deliver home-grown, innovative capabilities for the men and women of the Australian Defence Force.

Lockheed Martin awards SEA1000 Contracts to Local Firms

Victoria-based Molino Zhang and Associates, RMIT University, and Swinburne University of Technology have been awarded Lockheed Martin's SEA1000 contracts, alongside nine other firms Australia wide. The contract is a combined value of $900,000 ($75,000 each) to a range of local stakeholders, tapped to deliver white papers on the development of novel and emerging advanced technologies in support of Australia’s future Attack Class submarines combat system.

The contracts followed a competitive review and assessment of proposal responses. Upon completion of the White Papers, further contracts may be awarded to selected respondents for Ongoing Capability Research.

Extended Support for Victorian Businesses

The Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have announced on the 4th of September a jointly funded support package to provide a critical four-week boost to small and medium-sized Victorian businesses most impacted by current public health restrictions.

The joint package of up to $2.34 billion will deliver certainty to around 175,000 Victorian businesses as the state bands together to restrict the spread of infection while the drive to vaccinate 70 per cent, then 80 per cent, of the population accelerates.

The business support payments confirmed today cover a four-week period ending on Thursday 30 September.

The vast majority of payments will be deposited automatically into businesses’ bank accounts, while a new tiered payments system for the Business Costs Assistance Program will allow for higher payments to businesses with more workers.

Banks' COVID-19 Relief Program

The ACCC has granted interim authorisation to allow the Australian Banking Association (ABA) and banks to continue to work together on a variety of existing COVID-19 related relief packages, so they can respond to any further outbreaks as required.

The COVID-19 related relief packages allow for temporary and limited coordination between the ABA and participating banks to defer loan repayments and waive certain banking fees for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. The coordination also allows banks to facilitate second phase financial recovery and maintain access to banking services for small businesses.

Small businesses are encouraged to contact their bank to discuss the COVID-19 related relief package.

From Defence:

Defence will review the Global Supply Chain Program. See more here and the Terms of Reference can be found here.
Submission are now open for the 2022 Australian Defence Sale Catalogue. See more here.
The Commonwealth Government has launched the next stage of the ‘Act Now Stay Secure’ cyber security campaign. See more here.
Defence has released the 2019-20 Defence Industry and Capability Innovation Programs Annual Report. This covers the Next Generation Technology Fund (NGTF), the Defence Innovation Hub (DIH) and the Centre for Defence Industry Capability. Victorian entities received 25 percent of NGTF funding and 28 percent of DIH funding since the inception of these programs. See more here.
Aquaterro is awarded a $35 million contract to upgrade the in-service combat helmet. See more here.

Other News:

The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have co-funded a new support package for businesses impacted by COVID. See more here.
The Australian Defence Magazine’s Women in Defence Awards has be rescheduled to 15 September 2021. See more here.

COVID Support

Support and guidance for businesses dealing with COVID can be found 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.

Links to Grant and other Programs:

Secure Facility for Defence Industry
(Common User Facility)

The Victorian Common User Facility is an initiative to facilitate enhanced engagement by Victorian businesses and the innovation community with Defence and National Security programs. This unique facility is the first of its type in Australia.

Located in the Melbourne CBD, the facility allows appropriately-cleared personnel to access Defence secure networks, and provides secure offices and work areas for undertaking limited-duration activities such as meetings, bid preparation, and small-scale experiments. The facility also contains a secure Video Teleconference (VTC) room.

The facility has reached Initial Operating Capability, and is now available for use by Victorian businesses.

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.

RMIT - HAPS Challenge
(High Altitude Pseudo Satellites)

The HAPS Challenge aims to energise local Australian development of key technologies and to ensure Australian sovereign HAPS that have accurate station-keeping capability or long endurance capacity needed to allow deployment over an area of operations for a period of days to weeks.

Trusted Autonomous Systems, SmartSat CRC, and RAAF Air Warfare Centre in association with SLWDAC at RMIT invites Australian companies to enter the High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) Challenge. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to our national capability.

Phase 2 Submission Due Date = 8th October 2021

Phase 2 Shortlist for Phase 3 completed = 12th November 2021

Phase 3 Commencement = 15th November 2021

Phase 3 completion and demonstration = 20th May 2022