Aust: Commercial Partner for Military Operations

Commercial Partner For Military Operations

A commercial contractor will soon be employed by Defence to assist with planning logistics for military operations to improve reaction time and efficiency.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said an Invitation to Register (ITR) has been advertised seeking a commercial planning partner to provide commercial expertise and advice on capabilities covering a range of contingencies.

Senator Hill said employing a commercial contractor for specific operations would enable Defence to respond rapidly in engaging contractors leading to efficiency improvements.

"Defence plans to expand the use of contractors in operations and a commercial planning partner will help Defence develop options with a better understanding of private sector capabilities," Senator Hill said.

"This proposal will provide greater flexibility and responsiveness in providing the ADF with temporary facilities and logistics support for operations.

"Defence has learned a great deal about logistic needs from Operation ANODE in the Solomon Islands and Operation SUMATRA ASSIST in Indonesia.

"Our ADF personnel have already proved their effectiveness in providing urgent assistance to communities responding to natural disasters such as the tsunami and to security incidents such as the Bali bombing in October 2002.

"This proposal will provide an even better capacity to respond to operational and humanitarian tasks in the future.

"Timely commercial advice can greatly assist the ADF in rapidly reacting to situations such as urgent humanitarian or disaster relief. We therefore need to keep all options open in finding the most responsive support solution."

The engagement of a planning partner for operations is consistent with arrangements being applied in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.

While the successful bidder will not be precluded from subsequently tendering for the delivery of services, as was the case for a previous ITR released in Oct 04, they will not be part of the tender evaluation process.

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