The federal government has announced the first stage of a new online digital marketplace that will enable start-ups to access its $5 billion annual spend on ICT projects. The marketplace is part of the government $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda and is being led by the Digital Transformation Office (DTO). Minister for industry, innovation and science, Christopher Pyne, said the marketplace will be an online catalogue of services, people and technology to assist the government with service transformation. “We are keen to open this up to smaller and newly-established businesses who have traditionally found it too big a burden to prove their credentials to government. There have been too many hoops to jump through so they simply haven’t bothered to apply for government ICT work,” Pyne said in a statement. “That’s a lost opportunity because we know lots of businesses are on the cutting edge of digital innovation and can provide exciting solutions for government to deliver better services at a lower cost.” The DTO is establishing a series of targeted panels of providers while the marketplace is being built. The government has already launched digital specialists’ panel – the first of three panels – for companies in this field to apply through Austender. Assistant minister for cities and digital transformation, Angus Taylor, said this panel will make it easier for government agencies to access digital expertise to supplement their teams. “These are just the first steps in a greater collaboration between government and the tech industry,” he said. Over the coming months, the DTO will examine the obstacle that block ICT suppliers from providing digital products and services to government. Discovery on the digital marketplace begins next month with a public beta expected by the end of 2016. Related content brandpost How an Indian real-estate juggernaut keeps growing by harnessing the power of zero A South Indian real-estate titan is known for the infinite variety and impressive scale of its projects, but one of its most towering achievements amounts to nothing literally. By Michael Kure, SAP Contributor May 31, 2023 5 mins Digital Transformation brandpost Hybrid working: the new workplace normal IT leaders discuss how a more broadly dispersed workforce impacts device deployment, connectivity, and the employee experience, even as more workers return to the office. By Michael Krieger May 31, 2023 5 mins Remote Work opinion Can you spot the hidden theme of CSO’s Future of Cybersecurity summit? By Beth Kormanik May 31, 2023 2 mins Events Cybercrime Artificial Intelligence case study How IT leaders use EV tech to fuel the transport revolution in Kenya Many African nations are starting to invest in electric vehicle (EV) transportation as a means to broaden access and help keep pace with global environmental initiatives. In Kenya, strides are being made despite industry and tech leaders grappling to By Vincent Matinde May 31, 2023 5 mins CIO CTO Emerging Technology Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe