Unsolicited Innovative Proposals Scheme

Collaboration

Date:: 22 February, 2010

An Unsolicited Innovative Proposal (UIP) is a proposal that presents an innovative solution to a Defence requirement, and which has the potential to enhance Defence capability, business processes, or the use of resources or assets.

In order to facilitate an open dialogue between Defence, industry and the wider public, Defence provides the Unsolicited Innovative Proposals Scheme. The UIP Scheme was transferred from the Defence Materiel Organisation to DSTO effective 1 July 2006, and operates within the Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program Office.

An Unsolicited Innovative Proposal (UIP) is a proposal that presents an innovative solution to a Defence requirement, and which has the potential to enhance Defence capability, business processes, or the use of resources or assets. Proposals which fall within the scope of the Scheme are forwarded to the appropriate area within Defence for consideration. Proposals, where eligible, may also be considered under other Defence schemes, such as the CTD Program. Proposers will be advised accordingly in every case.

The total number of proposals received in financial year 2009/2010 was 101 and of these 19 were assessed as acceptable to be processed within the Scheme. The remaining 81 were out of scope which included those judged to be Unsolicited Promotional Products or ad-hoc enquiries.

Since July 2010, a total of 37 proposals have been received, of which 13 have been selected for further evaluation (Stage 1 of the process). Of those not selected, nine were Unsolicited Promotional Products, eight were ad hoc enquiries and the remainder were out of scope.

Criteria a Proposal must meet

To be considered under the UIP scheme, a proposal must satisfy several criteria as outlined below:

1. A proposal must be innovative in its potential to enhance Defence capability, business process, or the utilisation of resources or assets.

2. A proposal must not be covered by existing procurement or research activities being undertaken by Defence.

3. A proposal must not comprise subject-matter that has been developed or otherwise brought into existence:

a. during the course of employment with the Commonwealth; or

b. under an existing contract with the Commonwealth unless that contract expressly grants the Proposer rights to deal with the subject-matter in this way.

Application requirements

Proposals are required conform to the following application requirements:

1. The proposal must be signed by the proposer or, if the proposer is a company, a person with appropriate authority to represent the company.

2. The proposal must be supported by sufficient information to permit an evaluation. Specifically, the following must be addressed or included:

a. a proof of concept;

b. an explanation of the concept of the proposal;

c. a statement on the relevance of the innovation to Defence with a clear statement of the perceived Defence requirement, current operation, business process, and/or resource utilisation;

d. an explanation of how the proposal could be implemented;

e. a definition of the innovative features and various potential applications of the innovation, and the perceived benefits;

f. details of any relevant intellectual property considerations that the proposer would apply to any successful arrangements;

g. a description of the key drivers/variables in any proposed commercial arrangements including partners or subcontractors, any prior disclosure agreements and, licence or commercial contracts;

h. a statement of the proposer’s experience in the relevant area; and

i. details of financial aspects including any financial assumptions cost/price breakdown, financial situation of the proposer and envisaged cost effective outcomes.

Appropriate supplementary information might include:

· Any perceived management, environment or security risks or considerations

· Any facilities and/equipment requirements

· Contact information for notifications to be given under the Scheme.

Proposers should submit one signed original, two paper copies, and an electronic copy. Proposers may submit additional material, revised editions, or withdraw a proposal through the CTDPO Business Manager.

Submission process

Proposers are entirely responsible for any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of Proposals as participation in the scheme is voluntary. Proposers will be also be responsible for any subsequent costs incurred when submitting additional information that may be requested.

Proposers of UIPs will need to complete formal documentation (Defence Unsolicited Innovative Proposals Template and the Defence Unsolicited Innovative Proposals Undertaking) as part of their submission to Defence.

Hard copies of the UIP (together with the completed Template and Undertaking) are to be submitted to the following address:

CTDPO Office Manager
Manager Unsolicited Innovative Proposal Scheme
Capability Technology Demonstrator Program Office
Defence Science & Technology Organisation
PO Box 7931
Canberra BC
ACT 2610
Phone: 02 6128 6497

Protection of confidential information and intellectual property

A code of practice has been developed to ensure that Defence deals with Proposals fairly and securely. Defence will use the information contained within the proposals for evaluation only and will ensure that all the information provided with be treated as Confidential information. Defence will liaise with the proposer prior to disclosing any confidential information contained in a proposal to a party outside of Defence.

Proposals that do not meet the requirements of the scheme

Further information

Unsolicited Innovative Proposals Annual Reports

In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Handling of Unsolicited Innovative Proposals ('the Code'), Defence maintains a central record of all Unsolicited Innovative Proposals received through the Defence Unsolicited Innovative Proposals Scheme. The Code requires that Defence publishes annual reports on the UIP website, listing the numbers of Unsolicited Innovative Proposals received and how they have been dealt with. The following Defence Unsolicited Innovative Proposals Scheme Annual Reports are now available. To view these reports, please click on the links within Attachments to the right: