Request for Information - Department of Defence - Future External Workforce Operating Model

The Commonwealth of Australia, represented by the Department of Defence (Defence) is seeking Request for Information from Industry to inform options for the Future External Workforce Operating Model. The Major Service Provider (MSP) Enterprise Support Services Arrangement (ESSA) expired 30 January 2026. In alignment with Defence and Government directives, "above the line"external workforce capability and capacity remains critical to sustaining delivery momentum. The purpose of this Industry Survey Questionnaire is to articulate Defence’s priorities for its complementary external workforce in the future. It seeks to formally capture insights from across the market on the most effective ways to achieve these priorities and to inform the development of the future operating model. The key objectives of the Future External Workforce Operating Model is to achieve speed to capability with discipline, increased accountability and a significant increase to value for money outcomes for the Commonwealth while upholding integrity. The early design work for the Future External Workforce Operating model is focused on achieving these objectives through the following principles: - Speed to Delivery - the agility of work allocation and reallocation across the entire delivery scope to maintain alignment with Defence capability priorities. - Talent Management - the ability to ensure the right skills are available at the right time with appropriate forward planning to support Speed to Delivery. - Productivity - innovation to produce efficiencies whilst achieving workforce agility. - Contemporary Commercial Arrangements - arrangements which support outcomes based delivery in a partnership focussed, transparent performance management framework delivering superior VFM. Other Instructions: By submitting feedback, participants acknowledge and agree to the following conditions: a. All feedback and other information submitted by a participant to Defence becomes the property of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Defence may use, copy, disclose and publish such information for the purposes of the Commonwealth, including for developing or informing the development of a Future External Workforce Operating Model. However, intellectual property rights in respect of the information contained in any information submitted to Defence will not pass to the Commonwealth simply by virtue of submission of that information. b. Where appropriate, Defence may incorporate feedback into any subsequent tender documentation, or otherwise use it to inform a proposed approach to market. c. in no circumstances will Defence be responsible for any cost or expense incurred by participants providing feedback, and any such participation is at participants’ sole cost and expense. d. This industry consultation process: (i) is solely for the purposes of obtaining feedback on the Future External Workforce Operating Model Survey with the aim of informing any eventual approach to market by Defence; and (ii) is not a request for tender, and must not be construed, interpreted, or relied upon, whether by expression or implication, as an offer capable of acceptance by any person, or as creating any form of contractual (including a process contract), quasi-contractual, restitutionary or promissory estoppel rights, or rights based upon similar legal or equitable grounds. Conditions for Participation: - Responding to the Industry Survey and providing feedback is voluntary. - Industry may elect to not to provide responses to all questions. - Feedback must be returned no later than the specified date. - Industry should not provide general marketing materials or any other representations with respect to your organisation. - Defence is not requesting a description of a proposed service offering. - Feedback will be treated as confidential. - Industry personal information will be managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). - Concise appropriate detail (including specific experiences) is required to clearly understand and validate the circumstances in which the feedback is being provided. This will assist Defence to identify areas that are delivering improved outcomes for Defence and Industry, and also highlighting areas for improvement. - Feedback provided will not be evaluated, nor will it be considered in the evaluation of any future procurement process. - Should you have technical issues submitting your responses electronically please email your response to spia.externalworkforcemanagement@defence.gov.au Address for Lodgement: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/WuNRC6ymCG Contact Details: Assistant Director - External Workforce Management Email Address: spia.externalworkforcemanagement@defence.gov.au