The Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Panel
Tender Overview
About this tender
Overview The Department of Defence is establishing the Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Standing Offer Panel to provide a streamlined and strategic procurement mechanism for the acquisition of seaboats and small watercraft. Seaboats and watercraft are critical capability enablers for the Australian Defence Force, supporting rescue and recovery, personnel and equipment transfer, boarding operations, force protection activities, and a range of specialist maritime missions. Purpose The Panel is intended to provide Defence and other Commonwealth agencies with access to a small number of experienced Australian suppliers capable of designing, integrating, manufacturing, and supporting watercraft capabilities. The Panel is expected to cover the majority of Defence's requirements for seaboats and watercraft, reducing procurement lead times and providing a consistent contracting framework for future acquisitions. Defence is seeking to leverage Australian industrial capability by establishing long-term relationships with suppliers that can deliver platform integration, technical data, and ongoing sustainment support. Scope The scope includes: Design, integration, manufacture, and support of watercraft capabilities Platform integration, technical data, and ongoing sustainment support Panel establishment requirements as set out in the Request for Tender Immediate procurement opportunities through identified Tasking Statements The Request for Tender has been developed using ASDEFCON contracting templates. Contractor Requirements Experienced Australian suppliers capable of designing, integrating, manufacturing, and supporting watercraft capabilities Conditions for participation as set out in the Conditions of Tender Tender Briefing An industry briefing will be conducted for this opportunity. Date: 25 August 2026 Time: 1:00pm Location: Sydney CBD Attendance: Representatives of prospective tenderers are limited to a maximum of two individuals Nominations to attend the briefing and/or to receive the minutes of the briefing are to be forwarded in writing to the Contact Officer by 5pm AEST on 20 August 2026. Venue details will be provided to nominated tenderer representatives prior to the event. Instructions to Tenderers Submissions are to be made via AusTender. Enquiries Contact: Special Projects Project Director Email: opss.seaboats@defence.gov.au
How to respond to this tender
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Read the requirements in full
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