ATM 19/445 Soft-Sided Containers

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), based in Hobart, Tasmania, is part of the Australian Government's Department of the Environment and Energy and is responsible for Australia’s presence and activities in the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Southern Ocean. The Division leads Australia’s Antarctic Program.

The Australian Antarctic Program is focused on conducting science of critical national importance and global significance that delivers on Australian Antarctic policy and operational priorities. This includes managing Australia’s presence within, and administration of, the Australian Antarctic Territory and its Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic territories.

Australia maintains three year-round research stations, Casey, Davis and Mawson and one on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. The population of the stations ranges between 40 and 100 expeditioners over summer and 15 to 20 over the harsh winter months. Each season more than 500 expeditioners travel south with the Australian Antarctic Program.

The Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 year Action Plan sets out Australia’s national interest and our vision for Australia’s future engagement in Antarctica. The Action Plan states that by 2021 the Government will establish an overland traverse and mobile inland station, and commence involvement in a major scientific research undertaking to retrieve a million-year old ice core.

To fulfil this commitment, the AAD, through its Modernisation Branch, has established a Project to realise the Traverse and Inland station Capability. The Traverse capability will be an autonomous standalone system with the capacity to deploy and support an Inland station. The Department wishes to engage a suitable Supplier to deliver four 20 foot containers with side walls that fold down to provide additional floor space (side wings), whilst maintaining an enclosed area for habitation. These 20 Foot Expandable Soft Sided Containers (Containers) are to be capable of withstanding extremely low temperatures for extended periods in Antarctic conditions as essential Inland station infrastructure required to support 16 to 20 personnel.

More details are provided in the Statement of Requirement