Invest

Use the potential service specification and outcomes framework.

Commissioner revisits the market assessment during the strategise phase and reassesses the markets’ ability to provide services to the specifications developed in the design phase. This may identify a single, multiple or consortias of service providers with potential to deliver the service. The impact of a potential transition of service provider, particularly for continuity of care for service users will inform the market assessment.  Other relevant factors include capacity for service user choice of provider and impact on sector sustainability.

The assessment of the market to provide the service will inform the appropriate investment method. The Commissioner will apply the ACT Government Procurement Framework which includes value for money principles and guidance on the right approach for each service. Exemptions can be sought where there is a compelling case to do so, such as a single select where there is only one suitable provider. It may be that a mix of procurements and grant processes will be the most appropriate approach.  Develop and release an investment plan to provide transparency of how commissioning work to date has informed the intended investment strategy.

Commissioner prepares procurement documentation and incorporates the service specifications and outcomes. The commissioner, irrespective of the procurement route, abides by all requirements for fair and transparent investment processes and manages probity appropriately.

Commissioner negotiates contracts with the preferred provider/s that reflect the intended relational approach consistent with commissioning principles.  The length of contracts should provide certainty and stability for providers and workers and include appropriate review points that provide opportunity to adjust service in response to evolving need or new evidence about what works.

Commissioner and service provider/s enter an agreement or contractual arrangement which will usually include reporting requirements for outcomes rather than outputs. These outcomes were determined through design phase and align to new or existing frameworks such as the ACT Wellbeing Framework.

Where the outcome results in the need to transition a provider into or out of delivering a particular service, the Commissioner will work with affected sector partners to support the transition over an appropriate period. Commissioner remains aware of the investment impact on overall sector sustainability, capability, and capacity.

Some existing contracts may be varied or extended for up to two years to accommodate commissioning cycles for services.

• The release of an approach to market can generate a wide range of interest from participants who have been involved in the commissioning phases, current service providers through to people with lived experience accessing the existing services.
• The release of an investment plan before the ‘approach to market’ can help to manage interest.