DFAT will shortly go to market for a Delivery Partner to support the delivery of the IPEF Fund for Technical Assistance and Economic Cooperation (IFTAEC) over a three-year period (2024-27).

The $25 million IFTAEC program supports the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) by funding technical assistance and capacity building projects to assist ODA-eligible IPEF countries to implement IPEF standards and cooperative frameworks. IFTAEC projects will be developed and delivered in partnership with Australian government, non-government and international organisations.

The Delivery Partner will provide the technical advice and support to embed gender equality, disability and social inclusion and climate change into IFTAEC projects, and develop a robust monitoring, evaluation and learning framework to support ODA reporting requirements. The Delivery Partner will also establish and manage a pool of advisers, the IFTAEC Technical Advisory Pool (ITAP), to provide additional, targeted policy support where required.

DFAT anticipates the approach to market will be through a two-step procurement process commencing May 2024, with an outcome expected by October 2024. The proposed procurement will be listed on the Austender website when released to the market.