Strategic review of the whole of Australian Government single seller arrangements

Chapter 1: Introduction

Purpose

1.1 The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) engaged SolsticeIT to conduct an independent strategic review of the Australian Government’s Single Seller Arrangements (SSAs) to assess whether they are likely to remain fit-for-purpose, deliver ongoing value and continue to support the Australian Government's digital transformation agenda. 

1.2 The findings highlight opportunities for the DTA, as the steward of the SSAs and the government’s digital marketplaces and panels, to:

• Strengthen how SSAs are negotiated and managed to ensure continued alignment with government priorities.
• Deliver maximum value for agencies.
• Enhance security provisions aligned to data and digital sovereignty requirements.
• Enable digital transformation of the Australian Government.
• Support the ongoing delivery of essential services.
• Deliver greater economic value to Australia.

1.3 Further details about the scope of this report can be found in Appendix L: Scope.

How to read this report

1.4 This report has been written with seven chapters.

• Chapter One: Introduction - an outline of the purpose of this report and background on the SSAs.
• Chapter Two: Alignment to policy, strategy and legislation - an assessment of whether the SSAs are aligned and supportive of government strategy.
• Chapter Three: Benefits, costs and risks of the SSAs - analysis of whether the benefits realised by the SSAs outweigh any of the associated costs and risks.
• Chapter Four: Jurisdictional comparison - exploration of how other comparable arrangements are being managed.
• Chapter Five: Optimising the SSAs for the future - how to get the most from these arrangements moving forward.
• Chapter Six: Other opportunities - other areas for improvement identified by the review.
• Chapter Seven: Recommendations and actions - what should the DTA do to improve the SSAs.

1.5 At the start of each chapter there is an overview page that summarises the key insights and findings. 

1.6 The scope of the review is outlined in Appendix L: Scope. 

1.7 Throughout the report, key actions are identified in bold and as ‘should’ statements. A consolidated list of these can be found within Chapter 7 Recommendations and actions within this report.