Closed ATM View - NGTF-MFAPH2-2021
NGTF- Multi-Function Aperture Technology Phase 2
The Next Generation Technology Fund (NGTF) Multi-Function Aperture (MFA) Grand Challenge Program is developing next generation phased array antennas capable of simultaneously supporting radar, communications, and electronic warfare functions over a wide frequency band. This is being achieved through partnership with Australian Universities, Industry, and Defence, with DSTG as the lead. The goal is to transition this development into defence capability, ensuring Australia’s priority sovereign industry remains globally competitive in this area.
The program has been designed in three phases intended to run over at least a five-year period. The first phase of the program is supported by five Australian universities under a multi-party collaborative agreement. This phase develops the core concepts, addressing key S&T challenges and retiring risk to set up foundational technology pathways in the next phase.
The program will continue to attract a national security classification, requiring all participants to have baseline clearances and appropriate facilities and ICT infrastructure. University participation will occur under the Defence Science Partnering (DSP) 2.0 deed, and industry under NGTF research contracts. There will be heads of agreement between the university and industry teams to enable open and transparent collaboration in the MFA program across the teams. All foreground IP will be owned by the commonwealth, however, there may be licensing opportunities to commercialize Commonwealth owned IP for non-MFA purposes.
The open call for MFA Phase 2 team partners will seek responses from interested industry and academic organizations that can contribute expertise and ideas as a member of the proposed MFA team and, or that have technologies relevant to Phase 2 of the MFA program. Suitability will be determined on the merit of the responses, however, respondents may also be asked to prepare a fully funded white paper on one or more relevant design concepts.
The assessment will consist of three stages:
Step 1- Initial screening & shortlisting based on the eligibility criteria - completeness and compliance requirements
b. Step 2 - Detailed individual assessment of submissions against the evaluation criteria
c. Step 3 - Value for money deliberations and final ranking of submissions
Proposals that do not meet these requirements and conditions will have their shortfalls hightlighted and as such tenders must be excluded from further evaluations and be declined by the Delegate. DSTG will provide a research program brief to all interested parties viaMicrosoft Teams on 7th October 1030am (Adelaide Time). This will provide an opportunity for clarifications and questions to be raised. Any further questions after this brief will need to be provided in writing with DSTG providing a written response that will be provided to all parties. Nominations to attend the briefing are to be forwarded in writing to the MFA mailbox: MFA-NGTF@dst.defence.gov.au to be provided a Microsoft Teams invite. For security purposes: Full Name, Organisation, Position, Mobile Telephone No. and email address of all nominated personnel are to be included at the time of nomination.
Potential Suppliers wishing to respond to this procurement will be required to fully comply with and meet the following conditions for participation:
a. Clause 5 - Statement of Tax Record;
b. Clause 8 - Defence Security requirements;
c. Applicants must hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) or a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) to participate in this procurement.
20 Dec 2024