Parliamentary Secretary Greg Combet, who is responsible for Defence Procurement issues, launched key elements of Defence’s Australian Industry Capability (AIC) program during his keynote address to the 5th annual Australian Defence Magazine Congress in Canberra.
The AIC Program is designed to ensure that Australian companies gain access to the global supply chains of large prime contractors.
To this end contractors will be required to demonstrate in their tenders how they will provide opportunities to involve Australian companies - including how they will be able to gain access to the global supply chains of the large prime contractors.
The key elements launched were the update to the Defence Policy Procurement Manual (DPPM) and the electronic publication of the AIC Practitioner’s Information and Tool Kit, which is available through the DMO website.
The tool kit provides guidance to Defence and industry stakeholders on how to implement, monitor and report on their AIC obligations.
Users will include companies creating an AIC plan and Defence project teams who release tender documentation and evaluate responses.
The information provided in the DPPM and tool kit has been largely shaped by industry input during the development of the AIC policy.
Mr Combet assured industry however, that the AIC policy was not set in stone.
“The policy will be shaped over the next six to 12 months with further consultation and by the new Defence White Paper,” he said.