The government is encouraging prospective industry partners to step up and share in the fourth generation of lucrative contracts delivering services to Defence bases.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said Defence was set to start engaging industry on the future long-term contracts worth about $1.2 billion a year.
“Defence wants to hear from suppliers that can contribute to the delivery of base services with investments that will provide a massive shot in the arm to our economic recovery from COVID-19,” Minister Price said.
“Importantly, these will include opportunities for small to medium businesses, in both local and regional areas, to participate in the supply chain for the delivery of these services.”
Minister Price said the contracts provided a 'great opportunity' for prospective base services suppliers to engage with Defence.
“Base services are essential, providing on the ground estate maintenance, sustainment, and a range of other services that support our ADF personnel and strengthen our defence capabilities,” Minister Price said.
“The current contracts deliver services to our 70 major bases, 300-plus properties, and more than 25,000 buildings.
“These contracts have generated more than 3.3 million work orders a year and created more than 6700 jobs in local and regional industry.
“This is an opportunity for prospective industry suppliers to inform Defence of current insights into industry trends, capacity and preferred enabling conditions to deliver service excellence.
“Service delivery will be modernised, incorporating new technologies and user experience preferences such as apps to receive updates on base services requests.
“I would also encourage Indigenous businesses to engage in this process for the next generation of base services contracts.”
Current contracts for base services are due to expire in mid-2024.
According to Defence, information on how industry and business partners can get involved in this engagement activity will be available on AusTender later today.