Dear Department of Defence,
I am looking for information regarding the current status of the ex-Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters such as where they are currently being held as well as future plans for disposal and/or sale of the fleet.

Yours faithfully,
JP

FOI Case Management, Department of Defence

1 Attachment

  • Attachment

    20230628 0028 JP FOI requests at Defence Freedom of Information request ex Army Sikorsky S 70A 9 Black Hawk helicopters.txt

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OFFICIAL

Good afternoon,

I refer to your email attached. Unfortunately, in its current form your
request is not considered valid under section 15(2)(b) [Requests for
access] of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) as you have not
provided such specific information concerning the documents as is
reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the agency to
identify them. 

 

Section 24(1) of the FOI Act provides that:

(1) If an agency or Minister is satisfied, when dealing with a request for
a document that a practical refusal reason exists in relation to the
request (see section 24AA), the agency or Minister:

(a) must undertake a request consultation process (see section 24AB); and

(b) if, after the request consultation process, the agency or Minister is
satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists—the agency or
Minister may refuse to give access to the document in accordance with the
request.

Section 24AA(1) of the FOI Act provides that:

(1) For the purposes of section 24, a practical refusal reason exists in
relation to a request for a document if either (or both) of the following
applies:

(a) the work involved in processing the request:

(i) in the case of an agency – would substantially and unreasonably divert
the resources of the agency from its other operations; or

(b) the request does not satisfy the requirement in paragraph 15(2)(b)
(identification of documents).

 

In accordance with section 24AB of the FOI Act, Defence is required to
consult with you advising of the intention to refuse access to your
request in its current form.

 

In accordance with paragraph 24AB(2)(c) of the FOI Act, I am the nominated
person with whom you should contact with a view to agreeing to one of the
following options:

 

    a.    withdraw your request

    b.    revise your request; or

    c.    indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

 

In accordance with section 24AB(9) of the FOI Act, Defence is only
required to undertake this consultation process once, and you must contact
me within 14 days to discuss.

 

Your request as currently framed is a request for information rather than
a request for specific documents as required under the FOI Act.

Accordingly, prior to the Department accepting your request, I seek
clarification as to the documents you wish to obtain.

I encourage you to contact me so I can assist you in moving forward with
your inquiry.

 

Kind regards,

 

Will
FOI Case Manager
Media and Information Disclosure Branch

Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division

Department of Defence

 

[1]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...

Dear FOI Case Management,

I am looking for the Request for solutions (RFS) released by Defence March 25th 2021 in relation to the potential sale/disposal of up to 27 ex-Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters and associated spares and equipment.

Yours sincerely,

JP

FOI Case Management, Department of Defence

OFFICIAL
Good afternoon,

Thank you for your attached email seeking access to documents, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

The action area responsible for your request have informed me that a Request for Submission (RFS) was released on AusTender on 29 March 2021 for “Sale of Black Hawk Aircraft and Unique Associated Inventory” under reference number RFS/CASG/MLDS/2021/3. RFS documentation can be provided administratively to you as these were originally in the public domain. Please be advised that where possible, Defence tries to manage these type of requests administratively, outside the provisions of the FOI Act. Would you please confirm, via return email by COB 10 July 2023, if you are happy for your request to be handled administratively. You will then be contacted directly by the action area and your FOI inquiry will be closed.

If you wish to discuss this please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards

Sharon Roulston
FOI Case Manager
Media and Information Disclosure Branch
Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division
Department of Defence

Tel: 02 6212 0892

For FOI guidance & information, please visit: Defence FOI

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. I recognise their continuing connection to traditional lands and waters and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I also pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have contributed to the defence of Australia in times of peace and war.

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence. Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email immediately.

-----Original Message-----
From: JP <[FOI #10411 email]>
Sent: Wednesday, 5 July 2023 11:37 AM
To: FOI Case Management <[email address]>
Subject: 20230705 11:36 - Email - JP/FOI Case Management - Defence FOI 883/22/23 - s15(2)(b) - Scope requires clarification

EXTERNAL EMAIL: Do not click any links or open any attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is safe.

Dear FOI Case Management,

I am looking for the Request for solutions (RFS) released by Defence March 25th 2021 in relation to the potential sale/disposal of up to 27 ex-Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters and associated spares and equipment.

Yours sincerely,

JP

-----Original Message-----

OFFICIAL

Good afternoon,

I refer to your email attached. Unfortunately, in its current form your

request is not considered valid under section 15(2)(b) [Requests for

access] of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) as you have not

provided such specific information concerning the documents as is

reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the agency to

identify them. 

 

Section 24(1) of the FOI Act provides that:

(1) If an agency or Minister is satisfied, when dealing with a request for

a document that a practical refusal reason exists in relation to the

request (see section 24AA), the agency or Minister:

(a) must undertake a request consultation process (see section 24AB); and

(b) if, after the request consultation process, the agency or Minister is

satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists—the agency or

Minister may refuse to give access to the document in accordance with the

request.

Section 24AA(1) of the FOI Act provides that:

(1) For the purposes of section 24, a practical refusal reason exists in

relation to a request for a document if either (or both) of the following

applies:

(a) the work involved in processing the request:

(i) in the case of an agency – would substantially and unreasonably divert

the resources of the agency from its other operations; or

(b) the request does not satisfy the requirement in paragraph 15(2)(b)

(identification of documents).

 

In accordance with section 24AB of the FOI Act, Defence is required to

consult with you advising of the intention to refuse access to your

request in its current form.

 

In accordance with paragraph 24AB(2)(c) of the FOI Act, I am the nominated

person with whom you should contact with a view to agreeing to one of the

following options:

 

    a.    withdraw your request

    b.    revise your request; or

    c.    indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

 

In accordance with section 24AB(9) of the FOI Act, Defence is only

required to undertake this consultation process once, and you must contact

me within 14 days to discuss.

 

Your request as currently framed is a request for information rather than

a request for specific documents as required under the FOI Act.

Accordingly, prior to the Department accepting your request, I seek

clarification as to the documents you wish to obtain.

I encourage you to contact me so I can assist you in moving forward with

your inquiry.

 

Kind regards,

 

Will

FOI Case Manager

Media and Information Disclosure Branch

Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division

Department of Defence

 

[1]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.

Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email

may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in

error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email

immediately.

 

 

References

Visible links

1. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[FOI #10411 email]

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:

https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

hide quoted sections

FOI Case Management, Department of Defence

OFFICIAL

Good morning,

Thank you for your attached email seeking access to documents, under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

 

The action area responsible for your request have informed me that a
Request for Submission (RFS) was released on AusTender on 29 March 2021
for “Sale of Black Hawk Aircraft and Unique Associated Inventory” under
reference number RFS/CASG/MLDS/2021/3. RFS documentation can be provided
administratively to you as these were originally in the public domain.
Please be advised that where possible, Defence tries to manage these type
of requests administratively, outside the provisions of the FOI Act. Would
you please confirm, via return email by COB 10 July 2023, if you are happy
for your request to be handled administratively. You will then be
contacted directly by the action area and your FOI inquiry will be closed.

If you wish to discuss this please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards

 

Sharon
Freedom of Information
Media and Information Disclosure Branch

Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division

Department of Defence

 

[1]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence

 

 

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia.
I recognise their continuing connection to traditional lands and waters
and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I also pay
respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who
have contributed to the defence of Australia in times of peace and war.

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: FOI Case Management
Sent: Thursday, 6 July 2023 3:06 PM
To: 'JP' <[FOI #10411 email]>
Subject: Defence FOI 883/22/23 - Permission sought from applicant for
administrative release of documents [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Importance: High

 

OFFICIAL

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your attached email seeking access to documents, under the
Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act).

 

The action area responsible for your request have informed me that a
Request for Submission (RFS) was released on AusTender on 29 March 2021
for “Sale of Black Hawk Aircraft and Unique Associated Inventory” under
reference number RFS/CASG/MLDS/2021/3. RFS documentation can be provided
administratively to you as these were originally in the public domain.
Please be advised that where possible, Defence tries to manage these type
of requests administratively, outside the provisions of the FOI Act. Would
you please confirm, via return email by COB 10 July 2023, if you are happy
for your request to be handled administratively. You will then be
contacted directly by the action area and your FOI inquiry will be closed.

If you wish to discuss this please feel free to contact me.

Kind regards

 

Sharon Roulston

FOI Case Manager

Media and Information Disclosure Branch Ministerial & Executive
Coordination and Communication Division Department of Defence

 

Tel: 02 6212 0892

 

For FOI guidance & information, please visit: Defence FOI

 

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia.
I recognise their continuing connection to traditional lands and waters
and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. I also pay
respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who
have contributed to the defence of Australia in times of peace and war.

 

 

 

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.

 

-----Original Message-----

From: JP <[2][FOI #10411 email]>

Sent: Wednesday, 5 July 2023 11:37 AM

To: FOI Case Management <[3][email address]>

Subject: 20230705 11:36 - Email - JP/FOI Case Management - Defence FOI
883/22/23 - s15(2)(b) - Scope requires clarification

 

EXTERNAL EMAIL: Do not click any links or open any attachments unless you
trust the sender and know the content is safe.

 

Dear FOI Case Management,

 

 

 

I am looking for the Request for solutions (RFS) released by Defence March
25th 2021 in relation to the potential sale/disposal of up to 27 ex-Army
Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters and associated spares and
equipment.

 

 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

JP

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----

 

 

 

OFFICIAL

 

 

 

Good afternoon,

 

 

 

I refer to your email attached. Unfortunately, in its current form your

 

request is not considered valid under section 15(2)(b) [Requests for

 

access] of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (FOI Act) as you have not

 

provided such specific information concerning the documents as is

 

reasonably necessary to enable a responsible officer of the agency to

 

identify them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section 24(1) of the FOI Act provides that:

 

 

 

(1) If an agency or Minister is satisfied, when dealing with a request for

 

a document that a practical refusal reason exists in relation to the

 

request (see section 24AA), the agency or Minister:

 

 

 

(a) must undertake a request consultation process (see section 24AB); and

 

 

 

(b) if, after the request consultation process, the agency or Minister is

 

satisfied that the practical refusal reason still exists—the agency or

 

Minister may refuse to give access to the document in accordance with the

 

request.

 

 

 

Section 24AA(1) of the FOI Act provides that:

 

 

 

(1) For the purposes of section 24, a practical refusal reason exists in

 

relation to a request for a document if either (or both) of the following

 

applies:

 

 

 

(a) the work involved in processing the request:

 

 

 

(i) in the case of an agency – would substantially and unreasonably divert

 

the resources of the agency from its other operations; or

 

 

 

(b) the request does not satisfy the requirement in paragraph 15(2)(b)

 

(identification of documents).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with section 24AB of the FOI Act, Defence is required to

 

consult with you advising of the intention to refuse access to your

 

request in its current form.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with paragraph 24AB(2)(c) of the FOI Act, I am the nominated

 

person with whom you should contact with a view to agreeing to one of the

 

following options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    a.    withdraw your request

 

 

 

    b.    revise your request; or

 

 

 

    c.    indicate that you do not wish to revise your request.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with section 24AB(9) of the FOI Act, Defence is only

 

required to undertake this consultation process once, and you must contact

 

me within 14 days to discuss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your request as currently framed is a request for information rather than

 

a request for specific documents as required under the FOI Act.

 

 

 

Accordingly, prior to the Department accepting your request, I seek

 

clarification as to the documents you wish to obtain.

 

 

 

I encourage you to contact me so I can assist you in moving forward with

 

your inquiry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will

 

FOI Case Manager

 

Media and Information Disclosure Branch

 

 

 

Ministerial & Executive Coordination and Communication Division

 

 

 

Department of Defence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1]Freedom of information requests | About | Defence

 

 

 

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.

 

Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email

 

may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in

 

error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email

 

immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

 

 

Visible links

 

1.
[4]https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...

 

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

 

[5][FOI #10411 email]

 

 

 

This request has been made by an individual using Right to Know. This
message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet.
More information on how Right to Know works can be found at:

 

[6]https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

 

 

 

Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will
be delayed.

 

 

 

If you find this service useful as an FOI officer, please ask your web
manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

 

 

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...
2. mailto:[FOI #10411 email]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. https://www.defence.gov.au/about/accessi...
5. mailto:[FOI #10411 email]
6. https://www.righttoknow.org.au/help/offi...

hide quoted sections

Dear FOI Case Management,

I am happy for my request to be handled administratively.

Yours sincerely,

JP

CASG FOI, Department of Defence

6 Attachments

OFFICIAL

Good morning JP,

 

In response to your recent FOI request; please see response below and
documents attached.

 

“I am looking for the Request for solutions (RFS) released by Defence
March 25th 2021 in relation to the potential sale/disposal of up to 27
ex-Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopters and associated spares and
equipment.”

 

 

1.       Disposal Services issued a Request for Submission (RFS) via
AusTender on 29 March 2021 for “Sale of Black Hawk Aircraft and Unique
Associated Inventory” under reference number RFS/CASG/MLDS/2021/3 which
can be accessed on the following link:
[1]https://www.tenders.gov.au/Atm/ShowClose....
Submissions closed on 21 May 2021 at 4:30 pm (ACT Local Time).

2.       The RFS documents consisted of a Conditions of Submission and a
Covering Letter with four annexes (Response Form, Declaration by
Respondent, Draft Deed of Transfer and Non-Disclosure Deed Poll). Only
tenderers that provided a Non-Disclosure Deed Poll response by the
required date received additional information to enable them to proceed
with the RFS process.

 

3.       The applicant can be informed that a Request for Submission (RFS)
was released on AusTender on 29 March 2021 for “Sale of Black Hawk
Aircraft and Unique Associated Inventory” under reference number
RFS/CASG/MLDS/2021/3. Submissions closed on 21 May 2021 at 4:30 pm (ACT
Local Time). The Department of Defence is currently in contract
negotiations with the preferred tenderer. RFS documentation can be
provided to the applicant as these were originally in the public domain
(see attached).

 

4.       Sensitivity: Negotiations have not been finalised with the
preferred tenderer.

5.       Other business areas do not hold any additional relevant
documents.

 

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact
[2][email address]

 

 

Kind regards,

 

CASG FOI

 

Audit and FOI

CASG Coordination

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

 

IMPORTANT: This email remains the property of the Department of Defence.
Unauthorised communication and dealing with the information in the email
may be a serious criminal offence. If you have received this email in
error, you are requested to contact the sender and delete the email
immediately.

 

 

References

Visible links
1. https://www.tenders.gov.au/Atm/ShowClose...
2. mailto:[email address]