The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) has revealed plans to transition away from its current shared IT services arrangement with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) over the next two years. This decision was initially made in June and was recently disclosed in a tender document.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry currently provides “core ICT services” to DCCEEW, which encompasses approximately 4400 staff and contractors. However, DCCEEW is looking to establish its own ICT arrangements, prompting the transition from the existing shared services arrangement.
Detailed Planning in Progress
The detailed planning for this transition is yet to be undertaken and will involve coordination between DAFF and DCCEEW stakeholders. While DCCEEW was established only in mid-2022, it inherited climate and energy functions previously housed within the Department of Industry.
This transition coincides with DAFF’s larger-scale review of how it sources and provides ICT services, both internally and as shared services. The review commenced late last year and involves the refinement of DAFF’s approach to ICT services.
Service Catalogue and Vendor Sign-Ups
DAFF aims to create a “service catalogue” and is seeking service providers in six key areas, including enterprise service management, end-user productivity, hybrid compute and storage, managed network services, telecommunications, and staff augmentation. Currently, DAFF is testing the market for the supply of end-user productivity and service desk services only.
The contract DAFF is offering has an initial three-year term, with the possibility of extensions, provided the “whole-of-life cost” does not exceed $100 million. The new services are expected to be in place by May 2024.
