Infrastructure Group
Following a number of recent initiatives within the MoD, i.e. DPA's Stocktake, DLO's Strategic Plan and Procurement Reforms, Defence Estates' Purchasing Reform and Prime Contracting initiatives and the recent 2003/4 Government Spending Review, it has become increasingly apparent that the MoD/Industry boundary is moving more towards industry support solutions as the MoD seeks to reduce its overheads. Furthermore, there is a move to contract for availability or capability where this is achievable within industry and does not directly affect frontline military capability. To be able to achieve contracting for availability or capability, commercial decisions on investment will need to be taken in the three areas of equipment acquisition, its through life management and the infrastructure needed to deliver the availability or capability.
It is against this background that the DMA is establishing a special interest group for members who have a particular interest or involvement in the provision of the infrastructure needed to support a capability, both in the UK and the overseas markets.
Membership of the group is open to all DMA member companies at no extra cost. The members receive all the benefits of the DMA’s activities as full DMA members, including representation of members concerns to Government.
Aims
The aim of the group is to provide a focus for:
- Developing initiatives in support of links between the provision of MoD Capabilities and their relevant infrastructure, with hard edged deliverables.
- Identifying future MoD infrastructure business opportunities.
- Furthering the representations and aspirations of the UK Defence Industry.
- Exploring the potential for evolving partnering arrangements between Industry and MoD.
- Providing a focus for improving and evolving culture and behaviours, processes (efficiency) and reducing bureaucracy so as to bring about the convergence of MoD and industry activities and aspirations.
- Promoting and fostering a close liaison with the UK Ministry of Defence, OGC, DTI, Trade Partners, and other professional bodies.
- Providing a focal point which industry can use to represent its views to HMG.
- Promoting guidance to the DMA Executive for events in which members wish to participate.
The group will meet from time to time as appropriate, with MoD guest speakers to address the differing requirements; and additionally, the DMA will arrange:
- Industry Days for members to become better acquainted with the particular issues facing the MoD.
- Workshops to inform on and develop various key issues to improve business relations in the best interests of the members and their customer.
- Overseas workshops and missions to help develop partnering arrangements and export activities
- E-mail service of notices covering breaking news, tenders and opportunities in the TLM and Infrastructure areas of interest.