The Department of Defence invites technology proposals from Australian and New Zealand industry to participate in the Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program.

The CTD Program aims to improve priority Defence capabilities. It provides Australian and New Zealand industry with an opportunity to demonstrate their technology and allows Defence to assess its potential and associated risks.

Proposals need to address a Defence capability priority and demonstrate their potential within three years.

Applicants may wish to consider current areas of interest which include (but are not limited to):

• Applications to support operational decision making
• Autonomous detection and neutralisation of underwater IEDs
• Battlefield energy generation, storage and reduction (in size and weight)
• Biometrics
• Collision avoidance technologies for smaller UAVs
• Counter-mine and IED detection and neutralisation
• Counter-underwater saboteur systems
• Distributed systems administration within Service Oriented Architectures
• Helicopter landing aid (brownout conditions)
• Individual soldier equipment weight reductions
• Innovative communications technologies and techniques including those in the space environment.
• High throughput/low time latency translation and gateway devices
• Innovative weapons and counter measures
• Launch and Recovery systems for UUV
• Lightweight armour for personnel and equipment
• Military platform signature management
• Miniaturization of platforms and components
• Micro terminals and mobile applications within the NCW domain
• Modelling and simulation to support acquisition, operations and planning, or network communications training
• Modular mission based payloads for multi-role Naval platforms
• Navigation/communications for autonomous land, sea and air vehicles
• Networking – architectures and systems integration for platforms and dismounted soldiers
• Networking of sensors, information and decision support systems
• Network Services Monitoring, Detection, Effectiveness, Situation Awareness, Security and Correction
• Non-lethal weapons and scalable effects
• Penetrating and low collateral damage warheads for current and planned precision munitions
• Platform survivability technologies
• Robotics and unmanned systems
• Sensors/weapons applicable to complex environments
• Situational awareness for small naval craft and for degraded visual environments
• Space situational awareness
• Tactical LIDAR
• Tools and Techniques for the management of Service Orientated Architectures
• Vehicle stabilisation technologies
• Wireless, low intercept tactical communication

Discuss your proposal before submission

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their CTD proposals with the Capability Development Group of Defence, and with the relevant research division of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).   The CTD Program Office can assist prospective applicants with relevant Defence contacts and with completing their proposals.

Australian participation

Proposals must originate from within Australian/New Zealand industry or involve substantial Australian/New Zealand industry participation.   Proposals offering standard product lines will not normally be successful unless applied in a novel manner to improve Defence capability.

Funding timeline

Project funding is expected to commence in July 2012, although some companies may be funded for detailed proposal development or specific activities at an earlier date (conditions apply).

Where to send proposals

Email proposals in Microsoft Word 2003 format to ctd@defence.gov.au or by mail to:

Department of Defence,
CTD Program Office,
F2-01-096,
P O Box 7931,
Canberra BC ACT 2610.

Phone contact: (02) 6128 6494

Closing date:  8 July 2011 (close of business)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are CTDs?

A Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) is a project that demonstrates how technology might enhance Defence capability in a previously unexplored manner.  The focus of the Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program is on technology-driven capability.  The aim of the Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program is to provide opportunities to demonstrate how advanced technology can provide significant enhancement in priority Defence capability areas.

What sort of proposals will Defence be looking for?

Most successful proposals will take previously developed technology but apply it differently.  The Defence and Industry: Strategic Policy Statement (1998) broadened the Capability and Technology Demonstrator concept to include a greater exploratory element in the underlying science and technology.  Any proposals along these lines will still have to meet the same criteria, and these will need to demonstrate their potential quickly.

How should I prepare a submission?

The initial submission should be very short, perhaps around two pages.  It should describe the proposal and how it relates to Defence’s priorities.  It should also indicate the estimated cost for both you and us!  Please refer to the Guidelines for Proposers (PDF 336Kb).  A consistent format assists us with evaluation against the other proposals, but what matters most is how clearly you set out your case.

How do I relate my proposal to Defence’s priorities?

Defence’s priorities, as directed by Government, are found in Defence 2000: Our Future Defence Force (The White Paper) released in December 2000. However for detailed advice on this matter potential proposers are encouraged to discuss their proposals with relevant contacts within Defence.  The CTD Program Office can facilitate such contacts for proposers.

Who can I discuss my proposal with?

There are a number of people within Defence – from Capability Systems, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, and from Industry Division in Defence Materiel Organisation – who will be happy to discuss your proposal with you. See below for a list of potential contacts, if in doubt contact the Director of the CTD Program Office on 1800 647 946 or email ctd@defence.gov.au.

Who do I send my proposal to?

Your initial proposal should be sent to the Capability and Technology Demonstrator Project Office by email in Word 2003 format to ctd@defence.gov.au or by mail, F2-1-100, 24 Fairbairn Avenue, Fairbairn, ACT, 2600.

What happens to my proposal after it is lodged?

You will receive a notification that your proposal has been received.  Your initial proposal will then be considered by the CTD Program Office and potential sponsor areas within Defence to ascertain whether it falls within the scope of the CTD program and whether it merits sponsorship.  If your proposal merits further review it will be given a Defence sponsor.

With help from your Defence sponsor, you will then prepare a more detailed submission which will be considered by the CTD Review Group.  The CTD Review Group makes a recommendation to the Defence Capability Committee (DCC) based on the relative priority for all Capability and Technology Demonstrators proposed.

The Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program is part of the new major capital investment program.  The proposals that Defence wishes to proceed are endorsed by the Defence Capability Committee and approved by Government before Defence contracts for the proposal.

If, at any stage, it is decided not to proceed with your proposal, you will be advised as soon as practicable regarding the decision and the reasons for it. Rejected proposals may be submitted in subsequent years.