DTA publishes cloud sourcing templates

The Digital Transformation Agency has published two new cloud contract templates for government buyers to use while sourcing cloud services from the Cloud Marketplace or elsewhere.

The new contract templates aim to provide buyers and sellers with a common contractual baseline that incorporates Commonwealth Procurement Rules and government policies.

They are suited for commercial off-the-shelf products, services and solutions, including those that may include minor variations and basic support services to assist in transition and implementation.

According to the DTA, the new cloud sourcing contract template is designed to provide a governance framework appropriate for cloud products and services, as well as an outline of buyer and seller obligations which address the risks of using cloud products and services.

The templates also incorporate model clauses around security, information and data management protections.

Meanwhile, the new cloud services minimum terms template has been developed based on feedback suggesting that a full model contract is not suitable in all situations.

The template is designed to stipulate the minimum terms of any agreement which the government is able to accept, and is designed for use in the limited instances where the full cloud sourcing template is unsuitable.

The minimum terms template retains the structure of and provides the same contract protections as the cloud sourcing contract template despite being simplified.

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