ATM_2026_0096 - The Digital Service for Environment Regulation Project

Overview The National Environmental Protection Agency (National EPA, the Agency or the Buyer) is seeking proposals for the delivery of the AI Pilot and digital gateway blueprint as part of the Digital Service for Environment Regulation Project (the Project), in accordance with the Agency's requirements as set out in Attachment A, Statement of Requirements, and Attachment B, Business Data Functional and Non-Functional Requirements and Response form. Any arrangement entered into as a result of this RFQ will be made under the Digital Marketplace 2 terms and conditions. About The Buyer administers environmental approvals under Parts 7 to 9 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This helps protect threatened animals, plants and habitats, as well as Commonwealth areas and Heritage places. In 2025, the Australian Government passed reforms to the EPBC Act. The Buyer is considering the role that artificial intelligence (AI) may have in reducing the regulatory burden and improving efficiency for the Buyer and users who interact with the EPBC assessments and approvals process. Two phases of the Project have already been undertaken and completed by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (the department), with the support of an external Seller. The lead on this work transitioned to the National Environmental Protection Agency on 1 July 2026. As the department is the shared services provider (operates and hosts the ICT requirements) for the Buyer, collaboration with the department remains essential. Phase 1 Phase 1 identified key pain points in the EPBC Act approvals process for both users and departmental staff. It also delivered a proof of concept which demonstrated how AI could support the self-assessment stage of the approvals process by helping users navigate requirements and address identified process challenges. Phase 2 Phase 2 established the enterprise foundations and capability needed for the Buyer to deliver and support AI tools. Together, Phase 1 and Phase 2 provide strong evidence that AI can help transform the assessment and approvals process by improving guidance, reducing administrative effort, and supporting faster, clearer and more consistent regulatory outcomes. Scope The Buyer is seeking a Seller to deliver phase 3 of the Project, which includes: Building and piloting an operational AI Pilot Product for EPBC Act self-assessment guidance and navigation, helping users access and understand relevant information and regulatory requirements, and supporting them in considering whether a proposed activity may require referral under the EPBC Act Creating a Digital Gateway blueprint, setting out the future-state design for a broader digital entry point to environmental regulation Instructions to Tenderers Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the Agency's requirements as set out in Attachment A, Statement of Requirements, and Attachment B, Business Data Functional and Non-Functional Requirements and Response form. Any arrangement entered into as a result of this RFQ will be made under the Digital Marketplace 2 terms and conditions. Enquiries Buyer contact: AIproject@nationalepa.gov.au