I am pleased today to release the Approach to the Market to establish the Data Centre as a Service (DCaaS) Multi Use List (MUL).  This release is the culmination of a significant period of effort by the AGIMO data centre team and also by a range of interested stakeholders, in industry and in agencies, who have collaborated, online or in person, at meetings or via email, to assist us in developing this market offer.

DCaaS is a departure from historic procurement practice. While it reflects an incremental development rather than a revolution, it nevertheless presents an opportunity to significantly simplify procurement of cloud and cloud-like services. We have aimed at creating a balanced approach that recognises risk but limits it by design. Pre-agreed arbitration, limits in scope of procurements, templated forms, the registration fee, etc., are all combined in this new manner.

Unlike many of the coordinated procurements, for which AGIMO is responsible, use of DCaaS is not mandatory. Consequently, the proof of its worth will be in the take up – both initially by suppliers offering services and then by agencies seeking to procure them. Like many new services, we expect that it will take a while to fully develop. As we’ve stated previously, if it doesn’t work, we’ll review its continued operation.

We will be adopting a first come, first processed approach to the assessment process.  Our intention is to launch the DCaaS MUL by the end of October 2012, however there is a possibility of there being too many AFI responses to process by this date. If this occurs, there will be a second tranche of consideration. However, as the List will remain open, joining later in its life is allowed.

The Application for Inclusion (AFI) forms and guides are on AusTender.  We look forward to receiving industry’s responses.