PBSS/RFT/92347/1: The Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Panel

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. Defence is establishing the Australian Watercraft and Seaboats Standing Offer Panel to create a streamlined and strategic procurement mechanism for the acquisition of seaboats and small watercraft. 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. The Request for Tender has been developed using ASDEFCON contracting templates and includes both Panel establishment requirements and immediate procurement opportunities through identified Tasking Statements.