Page 18 - Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities - A U4SSC deliverable

11) Operate and deliver: Procurement does not end when the contract is awarded, and terms
and conditions alone will not ensure that outcomes are met. Buyers should create a shared
understanding with suppliers such that expected outcomes drive the real work of everyone
involved.

Shortly after the development of the 11 guiding principles, ITU in 2019 published its “SDG Digital
Investment Framework”. This provides a “whole-of-government” approach to investing in digital
technologies to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A “whole-of-government”
approach refers to the joint activities performed by diverse public administrations and public
agencies in order to provide a standard solution to a particular issue. This framework is intended to
start a new dialogue with the digital investment community. It sets out to help governments choose
effective, scalable technology-based solutions that achieve economies of scale and maximum
return on investment (RoI).

1.2 Normative instruments and international benchmarks

A number of normative instruments, benchmarks and associated guidance have been produced
and updated regularly by multilateral and international organizations. These are highly relevant,
and reinforce the GovTech Commissioning principles and approaches that are covered in these
Guidelines.

The OECD’s Digital Government Index 2019 provides the overall rankings, key policy messages

and a detailed analysis of the results, underpinned by the OECD’s Digital Government Policy
Framework . This is a policy instrument to help governments identify key determinants for the
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effective design and implementation of strategic approaches to transition towards higher levels
of digital maturity of their public sectors.

The “Six dimensions of a Digital Government” from the OECD’s Digital Government Policy
Framework defines a mature digital government as:

• Digital by design: When governing and leveraging digital technologies to rethink and re-
engineer public processes, simplify procedures, and create new channels of communication
and engagement with stakeholders.

• Data-driven: When valuing data as a strategic asset and establishing the governance, access,
sharing and re-use mechanisms for improved decision-making and service delivery.
• Acting as a platform: When deploying platforms, standards and services to help teams focus
on user needs in public service design and delivery.

• Open by default: When making government data and policy-making processes available to the
public, within the limits of existing legislation and in balance with national and public interest.
• User-driven: When according to a central role to people’s needs and convenience in the
shaping of processes, services and policies; and by adopting inclusive mechanisms that enable
this to happen.

4 Procurement guidelines for smart sustainable cities | May 2023