How to submit a proposal

A key input to the successful operation of RPDE is a series of robust, penetrating questions that address issues limiting the ADF warfighters ability to generate effect in the battlespace. The information below describes how proposals for Questions and their subsequent Tasks should be structured and submitted.

Key characteristics and general attributes of RPDE Proposals

  • Capability/Integration: The question must enhance integration, responsiveness and efficacy of ADF capability in complex warfighting environments.
  • Collaboration: The question must benefit from collective (defence, commercial and academic) knowledge and experience in order to produce practical and timely outcomes.
  • Rapidity: the question must lead to a rapid outcome in relation to an issue currently facing the ADF, within 18 months.
  • Suitability: The Question must be primarily unique to the RPDE capability, and not other funding, research, experimental and procurement models. The Question should identify how RPDE can add value to the problem.

Guidelines for determining whether a proposal is valid in the RPDE context

Valid RPDE Proposals are likely to:

  • Be consistent with Defence strategic guidance and senior leadership intent.
  • Consider across-DCP issues (DCP project integration) and may trigger DCP amendments and new-starts.
  • Benefit from joint Defence-Industry and Industry-Industry collaboration (ie. broad industry involvement, not just experts from one company/organisation).
  • Consider the force-in-being and may bring future opportunities for enhancement forward.
  • Consider all the Fundamental Inputs to Capability (FIC), even if the Question focuses on one FIC.
  • Lead to identified capability gaps being bridged or existing capabilities enhanced.
  • Lead to accelerated introduction into service of capability designed to enhance joint effects (or intervene in planned projects that can be enhanced to deliver desired capability).
  • Not be contingency-based – such requirements should be addressed by the Rapid Acquisition process.
  • Be related to achieving outcomes ‘across the stovepipes’, e.g. systems of systems integration.
  • Be able to be addressed within a short timeframe (within approximately 18 months).
  • Have a high probability of leading to a high-value pay-off.
  • Provide an answer or outcome, whether that answer or outcome leads to a ‘go’ or ‘no-go’ intervention.
  • Not involve blue-sky research.
  • Be aligned with the RPDE mission and vision.
  • Be well-scoped and well bounded.
  • Have sufficient availability of key stakeholders to participate in Task.

Guidelines for submitting proposals

Proposals should be submitted in electronic format using the RPDE Task Application Form or the RPDE Quicklook Application Form.
Handling should be appropriate for the security classification. Proposals can be submitted using any of the methods indicated below:

Email: admin@rpde.org.au

Mailing address:
RPDE Program
BP20-2-021
Department of Defence
CANBERRA ACT 2600

 

 

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