DMO Bulletin For Industry - Department of Defence

ADF providing humanitarian and disaster relief assistance following the Aceh tsunami.
2011 was a challenging time
for Defence’s amphibious
capability. But rather than
wallowing in the downfalls
identified, maritime stakeholders
across the department and abroad
are collaborating to ensure the
problems are remedied. From
investigations like the Rizzo Review,
to the purchase and leasing of
additional vessels, significant effort
is being invested into the maritime
space to ensure the ADF has the
amphibious support it requires both
now and in the future.
“You want it when?”
This is probably how most people
9 | DMO Bulletin Issue 2 2012
would respond if they were asked
to acquire a new support ship for
the Australian Navy within a matter
of months. But when Commander
(CMDR) Matt McCormack was asked
to lead Joint Project (JP) 3033 in
October 2011, and acquire an Interim
Maritime Humanitarian Assistance
and Disaster Relief Capability by early
2012, he rose to the occasion.
CMDR McCormack and his team
met these steep requirements and on
March 17 2012, the contract for the
acquisition of the MV Skandi Bergen
was signed.
So how did this swift acquisition
actually eventuate?
DMO CAPABILITy
GEttInG On WItH tHE jOb
CMDR McCormack said it was
largely to do with professionalism and
teamwork.
“We had people all over Defence,
central agencies and industry working
to acquire this ship; specialists from
the DMO, the Capability Development
Group, the Australian Government
Solicitor, and contractors,” he said.
“Everybody had to be on board with
the approach and the high pressure
timeline, and focussed on what could
be done rather than why we couldn’t
do it.”
After the project was approved in
December, the project team worked
with DMO contracting and legal experts
DMO Bulletin Issue 2 2012 | 9