Outreach Program Counsellor Request for Tender Refresh

Open Arms has a number of counsellors working in the community to make our military-aware support accessible nationwide. This group of mental health professionals, known as Outreach Providers, play a critical role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our clients.

In May 2024, Open Arms established a panel arrangement under which all Outreach Providers can deliver Open Arms services clients.  This panel is being refreshed periodically via new Request for Tender (RFT) processes. 

A new refresh process currently being conducted will allow suitably qualified organisations and individuals to apply via Open Tender to become a member of the panel.  The current RFT panel refresh opened on 23 September 2024 and closes at 2 pm ACT local time on 15 October 2024. 

Outreach Providers currently on interim contract arrangements will need to apply and be successful in the refresh process to continue delivering Open Arms services beyond the end date of your contract.

All potential tenderers that meet the conditions of participation are encouraged to apply, including those who were unsuccessful in the previous RFT. Open Arms has improved the RFT process to make it as straightforward as possible.  

For those who have not accessed AusTender before, you may wish to access the Getting Started with AusTender help guide. Please note, in order to access the Tender refresh documents all tenderers must access AusTender and create an AusTender log in.

For queries related to this RFT process, please email OPCRefresh.ContactOfficer@dva.gov.au  Interested organisations should also continue to monitor AusTender for updates in relation to the RFT process. 

DVA may refresh the Panel at regular intervals in the future to provide opportunities for new Outreach Providers to apply to provide services for clients via Open Arms. However, Open Arms cannot guarantee when or if these refreshes will occur at this stage.

The RFT outlines all the response requirements. Suitably qualified organisations considering submitting a tender to be considered for appointment to the Panel should obtain a copy of the RFT from AusTender here.