EDITION 19 June A ugus t 2011

For subscription & feedback please email: soldier.systems@defence.gov.au

DEFENCE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT NEWSLETTER FOR INDUSTRY

COntaCtS
Clothing SPo
DireCtor Colonel Haydn Kohl (03) 9282 4464 DePuty DireCtor Mr Mark Fergus (03) 9282 4538

IntRODUCtIOn
At the Clothing and Personal Equipment Forum held in Melbourne on 23 March 2011, I highlighted the changes to the structure of the Land Systems Division. In addition to my role of Director General Integrated Soldier Systems I have also taken on the responsibility as Program Manager of the MyDefenceGear Program. A key driver in the success of the program will be industrys active and informed participation. I have met with many clothing and personal equipment suppliers to Defence in recent months and I am conscious that many of our suppliers harbour a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the capability of the military, and to our national security and interests.

SolDier MoDerniSation SPo

DireCtor Colonel Jason Thomas (03) 9282 3725 DePuty DireCtor Vacant (03) 9282 3922
BRIG Mike Phelps, Director General Integrated Soldier Systems and Program Manager MyDefenceGear.

I urge to you continue to engage with us to maximise mutual benefit in the delivery of the transformational change to the supply chain and a much improved user experience for members of the Australian Defence Force. The Agenda for the next Industry Forum scheduled for 5 October 2011 in Melbourne has been put together to encourage two-way communication. We are keen to hear from you about experiences in doing business with the Defence Materiel Organisation and we will use this feedback as part of our commitment to continuous improvement. I am very keen to hear your thoughts on our communication with you and how we can better assist you in receiving the information from us into the future. How can we improve the Threads Newsletter? Would you like us to include more technical information or focus on specific areas such as contracting, value for money and planned procurements in future editions? If you have any suggestions for improvement or topics you would like us to include please send an email to soldier.systems@defence.gov.au.

DiggerWorKS
DireCtor Colonel Jason Blain (03) 9282 4312 DePuty DireCtor Mr Darryl Kewin (03) 9282 4594

MyDeFenCegear
ProJeCt DireCtor Mr Robert Lumley (03) 9282 6500 ProJeCt Manager MyDeFenCeStore Colonel Roy Bird (03) 9282 4570

Brigadier Mike Phelps

DMO PURPOSE | Equip and Sustain the Australian Defence Force

IntRODUCIng thE DIRECtOR Of thE IntEgRatED SOlDIER SyStEMS DEvElOPMEnt DIRECtORatE DIggERwORkS COlOnEl JaSOn BlaIn, CSC
Colonel Jason Blain was appointed Director of the newly formed Integrated Soldier Systems Development Directorate (known as Diggerworks) in January this year. An Infantry Officer and graduate of the University of Central Queensland, Royal Military College Duntroon, the Australian Command and Staff College, Jason has served in a wide range of regimental, training and staff appointments within Army; including as an exchange Officer to the Canadian Infantry School.
COL Jason Blain, Director Diggerworks

nEw PElvIC PROtECtIOn SyStEM

Personnel in Afghanistan will be issued with the first tier of the pelvic protection system for a theatre wide user trial and it is anticipated that the protective underwear will be delivered into theatre by October 2011. A limited trial of the second tier is planned for Mentoring Task Force Three in-theatre to ensure compatibility with extant soldier combat systems. Personnel issued the Modular Combat Body Armour System (MCBAS) are provided with an add-on groin protection apron. This can be worn when required and on the direction of the in-theatre commanders. In addition to MCBAS, current forms of protective clothing used on operations include: the Tiered Body Armour System (TBAS), Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH), and Ballistic and Laser Ocular Protection System (BLOPS). This equipment provides protection to the vital organs, head and eyes. The first tier of the pelvic protection system (underwear) is manufactured from a conventional knit fabric in layers comprised of silk and other ballistic materials along the inner thigh, and in a band from the centre front to the centre back. The second tier of the pelvic protection system utilise conventional ballistic material layered to provide the requisite level of protection. This second tier is designed to be used in high threat environments and will provide a similar level of protection to the soft armour component of inservice body armour systems.

Jasons operational service includes company command in East Timor in 2001; operations officer in HQ ISAF in Afghanistan in 2007; and Commanding Officer of Mentoring Task Force One (MTF-1) in Afghanistan in 2010. For its outstanding achievements in Afghanistan MTF-1 was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation. In July 2010 he was appointed the Deputy Commander of the Combined Team Uruzgan in Afghanistan, comprising coalition troops from six nations led by the USA.

DIggERwORkS
the Diggerworks mission is to identify options and deliver integrated soldier combat systems (SCS) solutions in order to enhance the capability of the warfighter. Diggerworks facilitates the collaboration of Defence agencies involved in defining, developing and delivering SCS capabilities. Diggerworks consists of close combat subject matter experts, systems engineers, technical advisers, human systems integration and materials scientists, logistic support managers, prototype engineers, and project managers. Combined they provide the analysis, design, and test capability to develop integrated SCS solutions. Diggerworks tasks: Development Continually improving SCS and finding solutions to immediate and mid-term problems that affect the performance of the combat soldier; Ensuring that the SCS is an integrated combat system and not an aggregation of individual components; Supporting Army in having informed control over the configuration of SCS; and

Configuration Management Systems Integration

Modernisation Developing the requirements of the future soldier systems within the context of Armys force modernisation objectives and Defences capability development plans. To achieve its mission Diggerworks requires constant and effective engagement with combat soldiers, commanders and industry experts. The Diggerworks team can be contacted via the following email address diggerworks@defence.gov.au

SOlDIER MODERnISatIOn SyStEMS PROgRaM OffICE UPDatE

Soldier Modernisation Systems Program Office (SMSPO) continues to operate at a high rate of work effort with ongoing support to operations. The team is attempting to engage industry and establish contracts for multiple items, ranging from body armour and combat helmets, to extreme cold weather gear and field cookware. Specific details have been uploaded on to AusTender. The SMSPO intends to release an open tender for the Soldier Combat Ensemble (SCE) in late 2011. The SCE is an integrated body armour and load carriage system designed to suit operational conditions by providing scalable levels of protection and allowing for customised load carriage configurations. Over the FY 20112012, standing offers will be established with industry for multiple items, beginning with extreme cold weather sleeping bags and trunks in the third quarter of this financial year, and the Flight Deck Ensemble in the fourth quarter. Field Cookware and Entrenching Tools will be addressed early in 2012. It is intended that further standing offers will be developed late this calendar year, but this is dependent on operational support tasks and success of staff recruitment activities.

RODUM gEtS a faCE lIft

In June 2010 the Minister for Defence initiated a review into the specification, acquisition and delivery aspects of equipment for the soldier and, the Reporting of Defective or Unsatisfactory Materiel (RODUM) system. The review was conducted by Mr Jeff Whalan and stated that, those who use the RODUM system regularly, such as those associated with engineering activities for whom the system was originally designed, report a high level of service and believe RODUM system is a valuable tool for continuous improvement. However, the Whalan Review also identified a number of shortfalls with the system. The shortfalls related to: the resolution of RODUM; communication of the RODUM outcomes to the RODUM initiator; training of personnel who use the RODUM system; and the resolution of RODUM which request significant modification or enhancement of equipment, otherwise known as Enhanced Capability RODUM. In addressing these issues Defence is instigating a number of changes. Among the first of these is a revised RODUM education program. A team from the Defence Materiel Organisation will be visiting units with an updated RODUM education presentation to inform users of actions being taken to address issues raised in the Whalan review. The team has already visited a number on units and contractors located at Puckapunyal and Darwin. The education program will be stepped up in the coming months. For Defence personnel, the RODUM intranet site looks different. It now has a dashboard appearance which is more intuitive - the information behind the buttons on the dashboard is basically the same, however, the front end is more user friendly, particularly for first time users. The dashboard is a work in progress and the aim to increase its functionality so that up-to-date feedback can be received more easily. Comments and suggestions to enhance the intranet site further are welcomed.

POIntS Of COntaCt
If you would like more information on the RODUM system please call the implementation team: Mr Geoff Abbott, tel: 03 9622 2640, email geoff.abbott1@defence.gov.au Mr Craig Jackson, tel: 03 9622 2741, email: craig.jackson@defence.gov.au

MyDEfEnCEgEaR PROgRaM UPDatE

The MyDefenceGear Program was established in December 2010, under a directive by the Minister for Defence Materiel, the Hon Jason Clare MP, to oversee the development of a new combat uniform and implement the agreed recommendations of the Whalan and Lewincamp Reviews. On 28-29 June this year, the MyDefenceGear Project Director, Mr Bob Lumley, and Project Manager, Colonel Roy Bird, attended the Defence and Industry Conference in Adelaide and held a number of one-on-one meetings with representatives from Clothing and Personal Equipment manufacturers and distributors. The sessions were an opportunity for Bob and Roy to discuss industrys role in implementing the recommendations and realising the improvements to the supply chain.

DEfEnCE RElEaSES InvItatIOn tO REgIStER (ItR) fOR OPERatIOnal COMBat UnIfORMS

Defence has recently released an Invitation to Register (ITR) seeking expressions of interest for the supply of Australian made Operational Combat Uniforms. This ITR will close at 12:00PM on 21 September 2011. The Operational Combat Uniform is to be worn by Australian troops serving in Afghanistan and consists of four different garments: Field Shirt, Field Pants, Combat Shirt and Combat Pants. The Commonwealth has purchased Intellectual Property rights to sub-licence the manufacture of these garments. The Operational Combat Uniform is to be made from fabrics printed with a unique Australian MultiCam Pattern for which the Commonwealth will also licence production. To increase opportunities for potential suppliers during the ITR stage the Commonwealth has divided its requirement into three parts: Part a: Supply of fabrics for the Operational Combat Uniform;
Part B: Supply of Operational Combat

Uniforms; and
Part C: Supply of knee and elbow pads

for the Operational Combat Uniform. Companies interested in responding to any or all parts of the Commonwealths requirement for Operational Combat Uniforms can access further details on the AusTender website at: www.tenders.gov.au/?event=public. atm.show&ATMUUID=E0BE9DA8C0C5-B027-0C996922DE3D1A39 Any questions regarding this ITR should be directed to: CLOSPO.Tenders@defence.gov.au

ClOthIng SyStEMS PROgRaM OffICE UPDatE aPPlICatIOnS fOR DEvIatIOnS ExPlaInED

An SG2 is an application for waiver against a contracted requirement. It is submitted by the supplier but approved at the Commonwealths discretion. It is a process we work through with you to rectify the problems. There should be no SG2 for the life of a contract/ standing offer; rather it is for a specified delivery, period of time or batch. Why? Because in accepting the deviation the Commonwealth is usually being asked to accept a lower quality item. An SG2 should not be seen as an expectation that all future supplies can be delivered to the lesser standard or that the lesser standard is acceptable for future tenders (ie claiming compliance to the full standard on the basis that the Commonwealth has issued an SG2 in the past). To ensure timely assessment of your application for deviation please ensure you complete all requested information and provide supplementary evidence, where appropriate, to support your request for acceptance of the change. Contractors offering a standard which is of a lower quality in either components or workmanship to the contracted specification should understand that the Commonwealth may seek some form of compensation (eg a reduction in price or additional items for free) to reflect the lower value of the items delivered.

MyDEfEnCEStORE
The MyDefenceGear Project team engaged external consultants KPMG to develop a business case to modernise the clothing and personal equipment supply chain and introduce an online ordering system. In addition to engaging with external stakeholders, the MyDefenceGear engaged key internal stakeholders including Navy, Army, Air Force and the Chief Information Officer Group. Options are currently being prepared for Government consideration before the end of 2011.

Current and past editions of Threads are available at: www.defence.gov.au/dmo/news/threads/index.cfm

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DMo: AUG011/11