DTA signs new whole‍-‍of‍-‍government arrangement with AWS

The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has announced it has signed a new whole‍-‍of‍-‍government arrangement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) for a three-year term.

The new AWS agreement builds on the previous arrangement signed in 2019, including:

• driving efficiencies through a standardised contracting framework;
• support for Australian Public Service technology and cloud upskilling;
• strengthening contractual terms and conditions, including ethical supplier conduct; and
• expanding benefits to all levels of government, including local councils, state and federal governments, and all public sector entities.
   

“With over 140 Commonwealth, state and territory public sector agencies currently using AWS to support service delivery in areas such as transport, health, education and tax, this new whole-of-government arrangement improves the value, reliability and security of cloud services in government,” said Chris Fechner, CEO of DTA. “The new AWS arrangement will drive better contract performance, vendor accountability and maximise value.”

The whole-of-government arrangement has been established with an initial three-year term, to provide flexibility, value for money and continuity of existing services.

According to the DTA, the new arrangement will reduce the time, effort and resources required to procure AWS services, supporting individual agencies in negotiations. The arrangement is a contracting framework with pre-negotiated terms and conditions, with agencies still required to undertake an approach to market to ensure a competitive outcome.

“AWS is pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with the Australian Government through this new and enhanced whole-of-government arrangement,” said Louise Stigwood, Managing Director for AWS Public Sector in Australia and New Zealand. “This arrangement includes access to more than 240 AWS services — including leading artificial intelligence, security and quantum technologies — to enable faster delivery of citizen-centric services.

“Our investment in Australian infrastructure, workforce upskilling and support for local partners enables sustainable economic growth and technological advancement in Australia. AWS look forward to continuing our collaboration with the DTA and public sector agencies to accelerate Australia’s digital future and create lasting value for citizens.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Supatman