DTA plans to add prefab data centres to government panel

The Digital Transformation Agency is looking to add prefab data centres to the Australian government’s data centre panel. The organisation plans to replace the current data centres panel, which will expire in 2023, with a slightly expanded panel arrangement. 

It is currently seeking industry feedback on the newly proposed panel, which aims to include acquiring services and IT products for data centres. As part of the panel arrangement, the DTA is looking to enhance data centre procurement to include a range of different strategies and frameworks, including whole-of-government hosting strategy and hosting certification frameworks, more supply and scope of data centre services for buyers, more innovation and sustainability, and enhanced security provisions.

The DTA’s discussion paper lays out further requests for the data centre panel

According to the DTA’s discussion paper for the new panel, the agency said it specifically wanted to include a high-level requirement for prefabricated data centres when expanding the supply and scope of data services available to the government. These prefabricated data centres would be a separate category of procurement to data centre facilities.

The organisation is also asking for feedback on whether it has provided sufficient information so potential applicants to the data centre panel can submit accurate pricing about IT products and services, as well as whether there are any additional pricing variables the government should consider in creating the new panel arrangement.

As part of the DTA's request for industry feedback, it is looking for views on whether the proposed arrangement would be relevant for current and future trends in data centre systems and technologies, including solutions delivering modern facilities employing technologically advanced cooling, power, data centre infrastructure management, cabling and racking solutions.

The government agency said it will be accepting submissions until 17 December 2021