The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will call for four separate tenders for the depot maintenance of its F-111s as part of a "market testing" process to evaluate private contracting against in-house solutions.
The process will use "-innovative contracting initiatives, including performance-based contracting, strategic alliances and life- of-type contracts, to enure sustainable and cost-effective performance is delivered", according to Grp Capt Dick Sergeant, Officer Commanding the RAAF's 501 Maintenance Wing.
Stage One of a four-phase process will be the tendering of workshop maintenance, with requests for tender expected in December. Further bids, for avionics, weapons systems and engines, will be invited in February or March 1999. All maintenance will be conducted in existing facilities at Amberley, Queensland, and operational maintenance will remain a squadron responsibility.
Source: Flight International
