DFAT intends to approach the market for a managing contractor to establish the Southeast Asia Maritime Support Unit (MSU). The MSU will provide enabling services for Australia’s Southeast Asia Maritime Partnerships (ASAMP) program and the Philippines Civil Maritime Advancement through Partnership and Support (C-MAPS) program from the first half of 2027.

ASAMP and C-MAPS are separate but complimentary investments that aim to build resilience to shared maritime threats and challenges in Southeast Asia.

ASAMP consolidates Australia’s regional maritime investments (ODA and non-ODA) that support maritime security skills, education and technology.  ASAMP is managed by DFAT’s Office of Southeast Asia in Canberra. 
C-MAPS provides dedicated bilateral maritime support to the Philippines, with a focus on civil maritime security and marine environmental protection. C-MAPS succeeds the Philippine Civil Maritime Security Program and is overseen by the Australian Embassy in Manila.

The MSU will provide enabling services to DFAT and implementing partners to contribute to program outcomes, including procurement, grants and logistics support; management of scholarships and alumni; budget tracking and reporting; design, M&E, GEDSI; and strategic communication.

It is anticipated DFAT will approach the market in Q3 2026 with a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEOI) as the first stage of a two step procurement process. Failure to respond to the RFEOI will result in a potential respondence not being invited to participate in the subsequent Request for Tender (RFT). The proposed procurement will be published on AusTender and updates on the status of the procurement can be found on the Development Procurement Pipeline.