DTA panel opens for consultancies and IT labour

The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has launched the second iteration of its Digital Marketplace, inviting IT professionals to apply. 

Known as the Digital Marketplace Panel 2, the federal government buying service is open to IT consultancies and specialists in IT labour hire. 

“We are looking for sellers who are creative, flexible and customer focused,” the DTA said in a blog post. “We care about diversity and inclusion in the digital sector and we seek to collaborate with suppliers who have the same vision and values.” 

The whole-of-government agreement is described as a “flexible arrangement that enables suppliers to enter or change their products and services over time”. 

The second iteration of the Digital Marketplace will replace the original, which was launched in 2016 as part of an effort to boost participation of small businesses in federal tenders. 

The marketplace will become part of the DTA’s BuyICT – an umbrella platform that brings together all of the government’s ICT procurement schemes. 

“The panel is part of the DTA’s broader strategy to transform the way the government buys and uses digital products and services,” the DTA said of the new marketplace. 

“We want to make it easier, faster and more cost-effective for government agencies to access the best digital solutions in the market. We also want to create a fair and competitive environment for sellers and to foster a vibrant and diverse digital ecosystem in Australia.” 

Suppliers have until 11 April 2024 to apply through BuyICT.gov.au.  

In January, the DTA began coordinating a trial looking at how Australian public service agencies can use generative AI. 

This aims to examine speeding up routine tasks with Copilot for Microsoft 365 between January and June. According to the DTA, over 7,400 public servants are participating in the trial. 

Last year, the DTA opened itself up to commercial off-the-shelf software solutions to its Software Marketplace Panel.

The panel, the Software Marketplace – Whole of Australian Government Software Licensing and Services Panel in full, provides access to a myriad of products and services to the federal government.