MEDIA RELEASE

Companies Shortlisted to Receive Request for Tender for Defence Messaging Contract

Five companies are to receive a Request for Tender for an all-embracing e-mail system to replace its ageing DISCON messaging system.

Defence announced the shortlisting to Boeing Australia Limited, Compucat Research Pty Limited, CSC Australia Pty Limited, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Motorola Space and Electronics Inc from a field of about 40 companies that responded to an Invitation to Register Interest (ITR) issued in August. The chosen companies proposed strong Australian teams.

The Defence Messaging and Directories Environment (DMDE) project (JP2054) will provide secure organisational and interpersonal electronic messaging and directory services to support strategic, operational and administrative messaging across the Australian Defence Organisation.

"DISCON is basically 1970s technology," said the Project Director, Mr Alan Wilson. "While it is secure and can provide for authentication of messages, it cannot transmit drawings, spreadsheets or photographs. DISCON is like sending telegrams, requiring manual distribution of hard-copy messages and is manpower intensive, whereas today's e-mail systems can provide writer-to-reader secure messaging automatically.

"The new DMDE will provide clear communication from desktop-to-desktop at all levels of security and make extensive use of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products and Non-Developmental Items (NDI)."

Mr Wilson said the five companies to receive the Request for Tender had been shortlisted after a rigorous evaluation since the ITR closed on September 11.

"The criteria against which the expressions of interest were judged included financial viability, expertise in electronic messaging, project management skills, ability to manage sub-contractors, and experience in complex projects," he added. "Sound proposals for Australian industry involvement were required, as well as security-cleared facilities and willingness to enter into Australian standard contracting arrangements.

"We congratulate the companies shortlisted. The standard of responses to the ITR was very high and I am sure that many other Australian companies will find work as sub-contractors to the prime contractor that is ultimately selected."

Mr Wilson said Defence is likely to issue the RFT to the shortlisted companies in mid-1999 and that this could lead to a contract in 2000.

Further information . . .

Alan Wilson: (02) 6266 6689 (w)
   Web Site: www.defence.gov.au/dmo/DMO/function.cfm?function_id=80
   E-mail: Alan.Wilson@dao.defence.gov.au