State 3 – Contestability
Assesses whether proposals are robust and meet whole-of-government digital and ICT policies and standards prior to government consideration.
What happens at this state
The DTA collaborates with agencies to develop their digital and ICT-enabled investment proposals and assesses their readiness for potential investment using whole-of-government digital and ICT policies and standards through the Digital Capability Assessment Process (DCAP).
For high-cost and high-risk proposals (generally a digital and ICT-enabled proposal expected to have a total whole-of-life cost of $30 million or more, including digital and ICT costs of $10 million or more) agencies must seek DTA advice to determine whether the ICT Investment Approval Process (IIAP) applies.
Why is it important
The Contestability state serves as a critical checkpoint in the IOF, safeguarding the integrity of digital and ICT investment proposals by ensuring they are well-conceived, strategically aligned and poised to deliver tangible benefits for the Australian public. The Contestability and Prioritisation states work closely together as proposals are further developed prior to submission to ERC.
What agencies need to do
Agencies should engage with the DTA’s Contestability team as early as possible when developing a digital and ICT-enabled investment proposal for government consideration. The Budget Process Operational Rules require agencies to consult with the DTA within mandated timeframes for digital and ICT-enabled proposals.
Agencies must provide the DTA with all the necessary information at least 6 working days prior to the release of an Exposure Draft, the lodgement of a short form paper, or submission to the Prime Minister. For proposals subject to the IIAP, this generally requires agencies to provide the DTA with draft business cases at least 7 weeks prior to the Cabinet consideration date and for final business cases at least 1 week before circulating the Cabinet Submission for coordination comments.
To complete the assessment processes, agencies must provide strong evidence demonstrating that the proposal aligns with whole-of-government digital and ICT strategies, policies and standards and can be successfully delivered.
What the DTA will do
Agencies should engage with the DTA’s Contestability team as early as possible when developing a digital and ICT-enabled investment proposal for government consideration. The Budget Process Operational Rules require agencies to consult with the DTA within mandated timeframes for digital and ICT-enabled proposals.
Agencies must provide the DTA with all the necessary information at least 6 working days prior to the release of an Exposure Draft, the lodgement of a short form paper, or submission to the Prime Minister. For proposals subject to the IIAP, this generally requires agencies to provide the DTA with draft business cases at least 7 weeks prior to the Cabinet consideration date and for final business cases at least 1 week before circulating the Cabinet Submission for coordination comments.
To complete the assessment processes, agencies must provide strong evidence demonstrating that the proposal aligns with whole-of-government digital and ICT strategies, policies and standards and can be successfully delivered.