Support for Agency evolving design, implementation, maintenance and delivery of Microsoft Cloud platform (Azure, Microsoft Entra, and M365)

⁠⁠⁠AUSTRAC requires the services of an experienced Supplier to assist with the evolving usage of the Microsoft Cloud platform (Azure and M365) to support an international information sharing capability – the Regional Information Sharing Platform (RISP) – internally referred to as CLEO.

CLEO is used as a collaboration platform with international partners. AUSTRAC is seeking a supplier who can support continuous improvement and support to:

• Undertaking a review of the existing configuration of the CLEO platform and make recommendations for improvement
• Implement incremental enhancements and new cloud capabilities where applicable
• Optimise and baseline existing configurations to improve performance, cost and usability
• Supporting future initiatives that could potentially see sharing information at a level similar to PROTECTED through international jurisdictions
• Provide technical advice to inform investment decisions and future phases of work
• Provide knowledge transfer to advise, guide and develop the skill of AUSTRAC technical team to understand and support the current implementation.
• Align with and contribute to other M365 initiatives currently underway at AUSTRAC.
• Offer suggestions for how an ongoing and flexible support model could be managed to address peaks and troughs in platform usage and information sharing needs

This service will support AUSTRAC’s ongoing investment and optimisation of Microsoft cloud-based platform.

Scope of Services

The service provider will deliver specialist technical services including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Incremental Enhancement and CLEO Capability Uplift

1. Implement incremental enhancements and introduce new Microsoft Cloud capabilities as CLEO’s platform and business needs evolve.

2. Platform Optimisation

1. Review and optimise existing Microsoft Cloud configurations to improve performance, cost efficiency, security and usability.
2. Identify opportunities to simplify configurations, reduce technical debt and improve the end-user and operational experience.

3. Support for Future Cloud Initiative

1. Provide specialist technical support for future initiatives
2. Uplift of AUSTRACs partner engagement initiatives through the Guest Access Model and B2B federated connections
3. Assist the RISP program in preparing for and safely adopting new Microsoft Cloud services.

4 Technical Advisory and investment Support

1. Provide technical advice and guidance to inform investment decisions, prioritisation and the planning of future phases of work.
2. Support the development of options, recommendations and technical inputs required for business cases, spending proposals and executive decision making.

5. Knowledge Transfer and Capability Development

     1. Advise, guide and uplift internal capability to enable teams to:

• Understand and support the current Microsoft Cloud implementation: and
• More effectively use AUSTRAC’s investment in the Microsoft Cloud platform.
• Document SOPs, create operating models and advise on best practise administrative roles and functions

Essential Skills and experience

The successful vendor must be able to provide resources that possess the following skills and experience:

• Detailed Microsoft 365 tenant architecture, security and configuration expertise, including experience across Teams, Exchange Online, SharePoint, Entra, Purview, Conditional Access, Defender and Intune.
• Microsoft 365 design and operational experience, including designing, configuring and support M365 applications, and stabilising/optimising configurations to improve reliability and service outcomes in line with the PSPF and Essential8 security measures
• Ability to deliver external M365 collaboration capability, with demonstrated experience implementing and supporting B2B external collaboration and cross tenant access in a secure and well-governed manner.
• Provide personnel experienced in implementing, configuring and operating Microsoft Cloud services in (Within Australian Government) production environments, including building enhancement and resolving complex technical issues to support stable BAU outcomes.
• Strong knowledge transfer capability, able to work effectively across all levels, troubleshoot and resolve issues as required, and uplift AUSTRAC internal capability through structured knowledge transfer in the form of written documentation in line with AUSTRAC requirements.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Proven experience designing, configuring, and supporting Microsoft 365 hybrid environments.
• Deep technical expertise across Microsoft Teams, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Purview, Conditional Access and Microsoft Defender.
• Experience supporting secure, enterprise‑scale Microsoft Cloud environments, preferably within government or highly regulated organisations.

Location of services: Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra or Brisbane

Clearance required: NV1 or the ability to obtain an NV1 plus successfully complete the Agency Suitability Assessment prior to commencement.

Buyer contact

Procurement@austrac.gov.au