Deion:
Australia’s rapidly changing strategic environment will require Defence to field increasingly complex capability systems-of-systems over coming decades. A modernised test and evaluation capability able to test new technologies and integrated multi-domain capability packages is essential to assuring the effectiveness of Joint Force Capabilities.

The Australian Government has launched the Defence Test and Evaluation Strategy (T&E Strategy), a long term vision for test and evaluation and a desired future state.

Successful implementation of the T&E Strategy will ensure the essential functions of testing, evaluation, certification and systems assurance are resourced to support current and future requirements for Defence.

Implementation of the T&E Strategy is a complex undertaking and Defence will work with industry (including small to medium enterprises and service providers) and academia to design and implement the desired future state that will deliver a wider sovereign test and evaluation capability.

As part of an initial approach to industry, Defence will be issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain feedback on how Defence might best partner with stakeholders to implement the T&E Strategy. Key areas of focus for the RFI will include:

seeking feedback on the preferred models for engagement with industry and other stakeholders that will: support the realisation of the T&E Strategy; meet the needs of stakeholders; and encourage innovation and collaboration between Defence, entities and across industry;
seeking feedback on industry’s current and developing T&E capability, capacity and willingness to participate in achieving the goals of the T&E Strategy to enhance sovereign T&E capability; and
 identifying opportunities and understanding the actions and investments required to accelerate the establishment of a Sovereign T&E capability, inclusive of indicative time-s.
This notice has been issued as a precursor to the release of the RFI.

The RFI will be issued through AusTender which will have details regarding how information sought by Defence may be responded to and information with respect to an information session to be held as part of the RFI process.

Correspondence in relation to the RFI (prior to its release) will not be entered into and any correspondence received in relation to the proposed RFI will not be replied to.

Potential respondents should continue to monitor AusTender.