LONG-TERM $200 MILLION OPERATING LEASE FACILITY (CAAP) FOR SUPPORT SHIPS & BOATS

The RAN’s current commercial support contract providing port services, general fleet services and support craft operations and maintenance, will expire in June 2010. The RAN is currently in the process of tendering for a new Fleet Marine Services Contract through to 2020 that will continue to deliver these services and meet the Navy’s future support requirements.

The CONTRACTORS ASSET ACQUISITION PROGRAM (CAAP) will be a key enabler for this new service contract. It will provide funding for the support vessels required by the contractor from July 2010; it will also provide a capability to replace, at the end of their programmed life, many of the currently Commonwealth-owned vessels provided free-in-aid to the contractor. Companies wishing to express an interest to bid for the provision of this capability will have to be an Australian registered company or the Australian registered subsidiary of an overseas company; able to exhibit the significant financial and corporate structure needed to deliver a facility of this size over an extended term – and to demonstrate an exemplary major asset leasing capability. The Statement of Requirements that forms part of the RFP will detail Navy’s present conceptual solution for this facility. Significantly, it also invites respondents to submit their own proposals on how this facility may be best structured and funded and to comment upon level of risk transfer envisaged. An Invitation to Register Interest and an accompanying Request for Proposals (ITR/RFP) for the delivery of the long term funding capability sought under the CAAP is now available.

Interested parties are invited to now submit their request for the ITR/RFP information pack and documents, quoting reference NIECB 10496-4, via e-mail to [email hidden] or by fax to [phone hidden]. The ITR/RFP response period will close on Thursday 23rd October 2008 and submissions in the prescribed format must be lodged at Defence Plaza Sydney by 1200 noon on that day. After the close of the ITR/RFP, there will be an opportunity for shortlisted bidders to present and discuss their proposals with the CAAP project team in Sydney. Respondents must not contact any Commonwealth employees or personnel regarding the ITR/RFP or any subsequent Tender Process. All questions regarding this ITR/RFT should be put in writing (email is regarded as in writing) to the Contact Officer: Mr Nick HoughCAAP Project Manager Department of DefenceLevel 13, 270 Pitt StreetSydney NSW 2000Email: [email hidden]Fax: [phone hidden]