1. In 2001, the first Defence Unexploded Ordnance Panel (DUXOP) was established. In 2005, the DUXOP was re-tendered and a replacement DUXOP established. The DUXOP is a selection of preferred contractors who provide specialist support services for activities associated with Defence’s administration of the Commonwealth Policy on the Management of Land affected by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) throughout Australia. Business Rule BR30 - Management of Land Affected by Unexploded Ordnance outlines responsibilities for the administration of the Commonwealth policy. The services available will assist in UXO aspects of land management, property divestment, and range planning, management and maintenance.

2. The DUXOP will enable the efficient provision of support for Defence-funded UXO and derelict explosive ordnance management, assessment and remediation services throughout Australia, on both non-Defence land and the Defence Estate. The establishment of the DUXOP allows Defence to develop long-term relationships with industry and contributes to industry understanding of Defence requirements.

3. The DUXOP facility also enables assistance to any Defence agency or prime Defence contractor that has a requirement to undertake UXO-related work, including assessment and remediation services related to sites where explosive ordnance is a factor. The assistance available includes guidance in the development of specifications and statements of requirement for specialist UXO assessment and/or remediation. The DUXOP Manager can advise further on the range of services available.

4. The DUXOP provides ongoing competition through a streamlined engagement process and establishes a framework to manage the performance of the Panel members.

5. Principal service areas under the Panel Agreement comprise:

(1) Provision of strategic level advice on the planning, development, management and auditing requirements for UXO-related issues;
(2) Provision of project management services;
(3) Perform and report upon site historical research of military usage and activity likely to have resulted in ordnance-related contamination;
(4) Perform and report upon UXO assessment surveys to confirm and amplify, or to discount, information produced from historical research. UXO assessment survey work is to include, but is not limited to, the determination of the locations, areal limits, densities, depths, types and natures of UXO and inert ordnance-related items of types likely to cause concern. UXO assessment may include the development of land management and remediation options and recommendations.
(5) Perform and report upon UXO remediation operations designed to reduce the hazard within those areas found, from assessment activity, to be UXO-affected.

A detailed description of the range of Services is available at Section 6.

6. The DUXOP was established following a competitive process and presently comprises five UXO Contractors (see also DUXOP Members Contact Details)

7. The Panel Agreement does not commit Defence to order a specific quantity of UXO services, nor does it bind Defence to these companies exclusively. However, there is an expectation that panel members will be used for all UXO work generated by Defence activities where they can provide value for money, unless there are exceptional circumstances where it is in Defence’s interests to go outside the Panel arrangements.

8. Occasions may arise where it is considered a company, which is not a member of the DUXOP, is positioned to provide better value for money on a particular task or project. In such cases, a submission should be made to line management. The submission should include the details and results of consultation on the matter with the DUXOP Manager.

CONTACT OFFICER:
Leigh Edwards
Project Director Strategic Acquisitions
Directorate Property Leasing and Acquisitions
Department of Defence
BP3-GF-A04
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Telephone: 02 626 68404
Facsimile: 02 626 68429
Email: leigh.edwards@defence.gov.au