13457—Operational Energy Transitions Defence Research Centre Contributing Partner RFI

The OET DRC is being developed in response to a fundamental shift in the role of energy within Defence capability and operations. Energy is no longer a background enabler, but a central determinant of operational effectiveness, underpinning operational tempo, persistence, survivability, and freedom of action in increasingly contested and degraded environments. To support the establishment of the OET DRC and the delivery of its Inaugural Research Projects (IRPs), the Commonwealth is undertaking two separate but related processes in parallel as follows: 1. ATM ID 13016 Lead Partner Request For Tender (RFT) (separate process): to engage a supplier as a Lead Partner to provide research leadership and expertise at the program and project level for the OET DRC; and 2. ATM ID 13457 Contributing Partner Request For Information (RFI) (this RFI): to engage with the market for the purposes of: - understanding market capability and potential suppliers that align with, and have interest in, research related to the OET DRC Themes; and - informing the development and conduct of other procurement processes (including future procurement processes). This RFI is separate from the Lead Partner RFT process. Further information regarding the Lead Partner RFT can be found on AusTender under ATM ID 13016. The OET DRC will initially address the following five areas (OET DRC Themes): 1. Dispersed Energy Access at the Tactical Edge 2. Sustainment Under Contested Conditions 3. Resilient and Scalable Forward Energy Systems 4. Enabling Next-Generation High-Power and High-Consumption Capabilities 5. Extended Endurance and Reduced Logistic Dependence Defence’s overall objective is to support innovative, low Technology Readiness Level research that advances new knowledge, develops emerging concepts or prototypes and has the potential to contribute to future capability outcomes associated with the OET DRC Themes. This RFI invites entities interested in the OET DRC Themes to provide a response that outlines their research expertise, capability and facilities. Respondents are also invited to put forward unique or novel research and technology approaches to enable practical solutions under the OET DRC Themes.