Discussion paper: Suitability assessment framework for coordinated contracting arrangements

Introduction

Purpose and structure of discussion paper

This discussion paper seeks to consult across a wide range of stakeholders, including the Australian technology sector, buyers, sellers, the community, and the public. It seeks stakeholder input to consider principles to establish seller eligibility for consideration of future coordinated contracting arrangements (CCAs), also known as single seller arrangements (SSAs).

The discussion paper seeks respondents’ input on a range of topics, including 5 questions. All topics and questions are optional to answer, and there are no right or wrong responses. Information provided by sellers at this stage is sought for planning and market understanding purposes only. This activity does not constitute a request for tender, an approach to market, or a commitment by the Australian Government to procure any goods or services. Sellers should not use the discussion paper to pitch products and services or request a CCA.

Following sections on the possible outcomes of the framework and submission guidelines, the discussion paper comprises 3 major sections, as outlined below.

Section 1 — Context — outlines how contracting mechanisms, including coordinated procurement, can help the Australian Government to leverage its buying power. It also reflects on how the nature of buyer-seller relationships could shape value-for-money outcomes, and how terminology could make the use of coordinated arrangements clearer.

Section 2 — Commercial relationships (2 questions) — seeks to understand variables to inform a specific subset of criteria to assess the commercial relationship elements for CCAs, including volume sourcing viability and alignment to the government’s terms and conditions.

Section 3 — Strategic partnerships (3 questions) — seeks to understand the variables to inform a specific subset of criteria to assess the strategic partnership elements for CCAs, including growing the Australian technology sector, upskilling the workforce, and harnessing strategically significant innovations to achieve outcomes for government at scale.

Possible outcomes of the framework

Following the release of the Strategic review of the whole of Australian Government single seller arrangements (the review), the DTA announced a suitability assessment framework with transparent criteria to consider seller eligibility would be developed in consultation with a diversity of stakeholders, including the Australian technology sector.

The possible outcomes of the suitability assessment framework include:

• Publishing principles for considering seller eligibility for future CCAs, providing further transparency in whole-of-government digital procurement processes.
• Expanding the DTA’s horizontal leadership across the Australian Public Service from coordinated to cooperative procurements, in alignment with recent strengthening of the Australian Government’s Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework.
• Distinguishing commercial relationship and strategic partnership elements, helping sellers understand the value-for-money outcomes government may seek.
• Expanding the number of jurisdictions which can access the arrangements, including state, territory, and local governments (and potentially internationally), and Australian higher education institutions, which would further increase the Australian Government’s buying power.
• Leveraging the Australian Government’s buying power to achieve broader economic benefits in procurement, including ICT sector procurement, and improve the implementation of procurement connected policies.