The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) was established in October 2016, absorbing the former Digital Transformation Office, which had been established in March 2015. In April 2021, the DTA moved to the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio and its mandate was updated. In July 2022, the DTA moved to the Finance portfolio.

Under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act), an entity’s accountable authority has a duty to promote the proper (efficient, effective, economical and ethical) use and management of public resources. After a procurement has been undertaken and a contract awarded, an entity needs to manage the contract. Contract management includes establishing contract management arrangements, managing contract performance, ensuring objectives are met and value for money is achieved, and reporting on contracts and variations.

The objective of the audit was to assess the effectiveness of the DTA’s procurement of ICT-related services.

Key findings:

• The DTA’s procurement of ICT-related services has been ineffective for the nine ICT-related procurements examined by the ANAO.
• The DTA has established a procurement framework, but its implementation and oversight has been weak. The DTA has Accountable Authority Instructions and procurement policies and guidance that align with relevant aspects of the finance law. However, the DTA has not been following its internal policies and procedures, and there are weaknesses in its governance, oversight and probity arrangements for procurements.
• For procurements examined by the ANAO, the DTA has not managed contracts effectively. The DTA has not established effective contract management arrangements. While its contracts include performance expectations, the DTA has not effectively monitored performance against these expectations.