JP 129: Release of Request For Tender (RFT)
(Source: Australian Defence Materiel Organisation; issued July 28, 2004; edited version)
The Project Office released the Request for Tender (RFT) for formal solicitation on 28 July 2004.
Interested companies should contact the Project Office via facsimile only (see contact details) to register a request to receive a copy of the Request for Tender (RFT). Requests are to be received no later than 27 August 2004. Requests received after this date will not be actioned by the Project Office. Requests are to include details of the mailing address to which the RFT documentation is to be sent. CD ROMs containing the RFT documentation in DOORS 7.1 format will be despatched within two working days of receipt of requests. Industry should note that only those companies with an Australian national facilities and information systems security clearance of RESTRICTED or higher, will be provided with the full suite of documentation.
The closing date for the reception of Tenders is 12 Noon 23 November 2004. Tenders are to be delivered to the address contained in the RFT documentation.
The RFT was developed using the ASDEFCON Strategic Materiel and Support Templates. The RFT has been issued for formal solicitation using the requirement management tool DOORS Version 7.1. Tenderers will be required to respond in this format and failure to do so may result in a tender being deemed non-compliant.
INDUSTRY BRIEFING
A project Industry Briefing will be held in Canberra from 0900h to 1200h on 25 August 2004 and pre-booked individual company briefings, addressing specific aspects of the RFT, will be held on 25 August through to 27 August 2004. Registration for the Industry Briefing and the booking of individual meetings is to be completed through the Project Office via facsimile only no later than18 August 2004. All requests for individual meetings are to be accompanied by a list of questions to be addressed at the meeting. Further details on the briefings are outlined in the RFT Conditions of Tender
BACKGROUND:
JP129 seeks to acquire a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) system capable of providing airborne surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition to support land operations. The lack of this level of capability is currently recognised as a significant deficiency in Australia's national surveillance architecture, particularly for land and littoral operations.
The Defence Capability Plan (pages 73-4) states that the ADF will acquire TUAVs with an expected in-service date of 2008 to 2010. Estimated total project budget for JP129 Phase 2 is $A100 to $150 million.
Phase 1
JP129 Phase 1 was a Risk Mitigation Phase that assisted Capability Staff in providing options for systems representative of a mature surveillance system. Additionally, it sought to develop the JP129 concept and mitigate the technical and financial acquisition risks.
JP129 Phase 1 was completed late in 2001.
Phase 2 Objectives
Under Phase 2 the ADF intends to acquire a TUAV system to enhance the reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities of deployed land forces, by overcoming the limitations of mobility, terrain and range experienced by current capabilities. The system will fill capability gaps identified in Army’s current Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) architecture by providing:
a) Near Real Time (NRT) reconnaissance capability for a deployed Joint Task Force;
b) an integral, responsive and accurate target acquisition system capable of providing a NRT sensor-to-decider-to-response asset link; and
c) Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) capability.
The system acquired will consist of air vehicles fitted with sensor payloads, a ground segment to provide control and exploitation functions, and elements for maintenance and logistics support. The TUAV system elements are to be structured around the establishment of, and supply of capability to, three operational troops and a training element.
ACQUISITION STRATEGY
The Commonwealth is intending to acquire a mature TUAV system from an open tender selection process based on the most recent Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, including the application of Defence acquisition reform strategies. At this stage JP129 will acquire non-developmental systems based on proven designs.
The JP129 Acquisition Strategy was approved by USDM on 20 December 2002.
AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT
Australian Industry Involvement (AII) is an important initiative within the Defence Materiel Organisation that aims to maximise opportunities for local industry.
The following elements of JP129 have been identified as possible AII target activities:
--Image analysis and mission planning software.
--Sensor information database management.
--Development of air to ground datalinking infrastructure.
--Integration of sensors and avionics into air vehicles.
--Through Life Support.
SCHEDULE
The major milestones of the current JP129 schedule are identified below. The schedule information currently available may undergo significant change throughout the project’s life. A more robust and definite schedule will be developed after the receipt of tender responses.
--RFT Release: 28 July 2004
--Industry Brief: 25 August 2004
--Tenders Close: 23 November 2004
--Evaluation complete: May/June 2005
--Second Pass Approval from Government: Late 2005
--Preferred Tenderer Announced: Late 2005
--Contract Signature: Early 2006
--In Service Date: Latter half of 2008
-ends-
Obtained from:
http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cg....1092028767.QRcJX8Oa9dUAABm2XOM&modele=jdc_34
The Australian Army will probably get the Shadow 200 I reckon...
