Purpose

The DMTC COVID Technology Capability Development Portal is one part of efforts to support coordination of the national pandemic response, through the collation and exchange of end user requirements with available and emerging information and technologies, and a means to facilitate better collective collaboration.

Along with other mechanisms, it is a vehicle by which national capacity can be mobilised and directed, through engagement and cooperative efforts, towards effective response measures. It is a recognition of the importance of - and benefit derived from – collaboration between governments, the private and research sectors, and the Australian community in response to crisis situations

This Portal works with and alongside other collaboration mechanisms and focuses primarily on engagement between the Commonwealth and the academic/research sectors. Further detail on other avenues for engagement is contained within the Other Mechanisms section of this site.

DMTC was established in 2008 with support from Defence as an independent, not-for-profit company that specialises in innovation and technology development for the defence and national security sectors.

Guidelines For Use

DMTC is accepting proposals from researchers and the industrial sector that span a broad range of technologies and disciplines, from medical countermeasure developments to industrial innovations and manufacturing solutions. These proposals will be carefully assessed by subject matter experts for their potential to make a difference in overcoming the threats posed by this pandemic, and to contribute to post-pandemic recovery. DMTC’s role includes coordination and engagement with government agencies, taskforces and other coordination groups engaged in the national response to COVID-19.

Under the Areas Identified for Capability Development section of the Portal, any immediate pandemic response capabilities sought or shortfalls identified by Commonwealth departments and response taskforces, and drawn from frontline health and deployed agencies, may be promulgated for review, and will include capability requirements and minimum specifications and standards.

Interested parties are invited to provide submissions in response on existing or emerging technologies or capabilities that may be relevantly applied. A Quad Chart format is provided and preferred, but submissions in any reasonable format may be uploaded.

The Portal further provides a means by which unsolicited proposals may be submitted for consideration. These may include, for example, new thinking or research on potential capability gaps yet to be identified, or emerging technologies that may be transferred or applied to existing response actions in a way not previously considered, and can be uploaded via the Research and Industry Initiated Proposals section.

Where appropriate, both submissions in response and unsolicited proposals will be directed towards a relevant point of contact within the appropriate Commonwealth agency or taskforce for further engagement or implementation.

Important Information

It should be noted that the Portal is a means for engagement and collaboration only. The acts of dissemination of information or calls for submission or proposals does not imply an offer and does not creates rights or obligations in any legal or practical sense, by either the Commonwealth, DMTC Ltd, or engaging parties. Any contemplation of use of technologies or capabilities remains a matter to be, if relevant, considered between the parties on any given topic or matter. In addition, any use of the Portal is subject to certain conditions and indemnities. Further information is contained within the site and should be reviewed prior to any substantive engagement.

Contact

Any questions or enquiries can be directed to national.COVIDresponse@dmtc.com.au or +61 488 991 030.

Security

The Portal is associated with Commonwealth Government activities. It has been designed and is hosted on a server that complies with the requirements of the Australian Signals Directorate – Australian Cyber Security Centre promulgated Information Security Manual, Guidelines for Software Development, dated 19 November 2019. All reasonable and practical measures, both in terms of electronic access and personnel handling and use of information, have been taken to ensure security of data.

Users should however bear in mind that the Portal is an unclassified, public-facing platform. It does not contain, access or host any classified material. Users must not upload Commonwealth classified material in any respect, and should contemplate other means of transmission for any material that is of particular commercial sensitivity.

Further information on the Portal’s security architecture and compliance, and any discussion of passage of sensitive information, may be available via the Contact details section.

Other Mechanisms

Defence Industry and Innovation Programs:

DMTC [formerly the Defence Materials Technology Centre] was established in 2008 with support from Defence as an independent, not-for-profit company that specialises in innovation and technology development for the defence and national security sectors. A guide to engaging with DMTC is available here.

The Centre for Defence Industry Capability has a national network of defence industry facilitators and business advisers that helps businesses navigate the defence market, facilitates connections with other businesses and Defence, advises on improving competitiveness and accessing global markets, provides grants to help businesses invest in their defence-related capabilities, and links Australian innovators and researchers to the Defence Innovation Hub and the Next Generation Technologies Fund.

The Next Gen Tech Fund is a forward-looking program focusing on research in emerging and future technologies, including technologies that may deliver on a time horizon greater than ten years. Innovative technologies and concepts researched under the Next Gen Tech Fund could be further developed and realised into capability through the Defence Innovation Hub. The Fund will invest $730 million over the decade to 2026.

The Defence Innovation Hub provides opportunities for academia, research organisations and Australian businesses of all sizes to put forward innovative proposals that can enhance Defence capability. It accepts proposals that are ready to enter different stages of the innovation process, from concept exploration, to technology development, to prototyping, to demonstration and evaluation. The Hub will invest $640 million by the end of 2025/26 to mature and develop innovative technologies that can enhance Defence capability.

AMGC

The Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre Manufacturer Response Register has been developed to help Australian businesses identify collaboration and market opportunities in order to supply protective, medical or critical care equipment in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

AAS

The Australian Academy of Science Rapid Research Information Forum is a forum for rapid information sharing and collaboration within the Australian research and innovation sector. The RRIF provides a mechanism to rapidly bring together relevant multidisciplinary research expertise to address pressing questions about Australia’s response to COVID-19, as they emerge.