The Expert Advisory Network

What is the EAN? 

The EAN helps NSW Government teams tap into the expertise that exists within the Government sector today. Hosted by the Premier’s Department, the EAN connects teams with in-house expertise to undertake project work. 

How do I contact the EAN?  

Contact the team through the online inquiry form. A member of the team will respond to your inquiry within two business days. 

I'm an individual who has specific expertise and skills, and I'd like to offer my services for project support.

The EAN is not recruiting for individual expertise. Only NSW Government expert teams who have the approval of their Executive can join the EAN as an expert partner.

Can the EAN support core work? 

Yes. The Core NSW Public Service Work Policy defines the types of work that the NSW government sector must deliver in-house (core work).

If you have a capability gap for core work, government sector networks such as the EAN must be explored before non-government resources are procured.  

For NSW Government employees, more information on resourcing options for core work can be found at NSW Government Workforce Planning Hub.

Who can use the EAN? 

Any NSW Government team who is looking for project support can utilise the EAN. Inquiries should come from those with delegated authority to engage a project. We ask that you explore support options within your agency before reaching out to us. 

What services does the EAN provide? 

Please see the information under ‘how we can help you’ at the top of this page, for the list of services currently available through the EAN. If the support you’re after isn’t listed, or if you’re unsure about the support your project needs, reach out to us via the online inquiry form to allow us to better understand your needs. 

Does the EAN have capacity to help with my project? 

The EAN is in establishment phase, so we are starting small – but we are growing. The level of support our partners can provide depends on the type of project you need assistance with, as well as the capacity of the partner team at the time of your request. 

How does the EAN support clients when there is no internal capacity? 

If an expert partner has no capacity to deliver a project, they may still be able to provide some upfront advice on how best to scope your project. In addition, the EAN team may be able to provide you with limited support, for example by working with you to test the scope of your project, or by connecting you with someone who has delivered a similar project. 

Even if expert partners are unable to assist with your current project, your inquiry helps us understand the demand for EAN support.  

Do I have to use the EAN? 

Use of the EAN is voluntary. The EAN has been established to help government teams connect with high-quality in-house expertise, however there will be times where projects require specialist expertise, perspectives and/or independence that are best obtained through engaging an external party.  

At what stage should I contact the EAN? 

To help us gauge the level and type of support you need for your project, it’s best to reach out to us as early as possible via our online inquiry form. That way, we can understand your project needs and identify if there is a potential partner quickly. 

What costs are involved in using the EAN? 

There is no fee to submit a project inquiry. Our expert partners usually offer their services under a cost-recovery model when a project is agreed. Fees are negotiated directly with partners.

Can I access expert partners directly, or do I have to go through the EAN? 

We encourage you to submit your project inquiry through the EAN, as it helps us to understand demand and supply for these services across the public sector. Some of our expert partner teams have established referral pathways already, so if you have an existing relationship with a particular partner, you may continue to engage with them directly. 

How do I submit a project inquiry? 

It’s easy – just use our online inquiry form. A member of the EAN team will be in contact within two business days. 

I’ve submitted an inquiry. What happens next? 

A member of the EAN team will be in touch shortly. We will work with you to clarify the high-level scope and timeframe of your project and then determine if there is an expert partner that can support you.

I submitted an inquiry and haven’t heard back. Who can I contact? 

We aim to respond to all inquiries within two business days. You may contact us via the EAN email if you haven’t heard back from us within this time. If this is a new inquiry, please fill out the online inquiry form as this will help us assess your needs. 

How will the EAN prioritise client inquiries? 

We have a set of prioritisation principles to help ensure projects supported by the EAN are aligned with the Government’s priorities, as well as the expertise and availability of the partners at the time of your project request. 

Can my NSW Government team join the EAN as an expert partner? 

Yes! If you believe your team would be an asset to the EAN, we’d love to hear from you! We're always on the lookout for new teams to join our expert partner network. Fill in the online inquiry form as a new partner and let’s talk. 

What is the benefit of partnering with the EAN? 

By partnering with the EAN, you will be exposed to a potential pipeline of projects from across the public sector. The expertise of your team will also be promoted across government, offering the opportunity to highlight successful case studies to a broad audience. 

I’m not an NSW Government organisation. Can I join the EAN? 

Unfortunately, no. The EAN is currently focused on partners that are from the NSW Government. 

How does use of the EAN fit within the current procurement framework? 

In line with PBD 2021-04 Approved procurement arrangements, an agency may obtain goods or services directly from any government entity that provides those goods or services within its functions. This applies even if there is a mandated scheme or whole of government contract in place for equivalent services.   

You can use the EAN to engage directly with the government entity, so you won’t require a specific procurement process.  

The EAN may be utilised in place of, or alongside, procurement of external assistance. If the agency’s decision, after engaging with the EAN, is to proceed with an external consultancy, the agency can still engage with the EAN to provide advice on the project scope or the deliverables. 

How can I be confident that an EAN partner is a good match for my project?  

The EAN can provide access to high-quality, specialist expertise from within the public sector. Many in-house experts have extensive experience in their fields, and the EAN allows departments and agencies to harness that expertise more effectively. Some partners are also able to demonstrate their expertise with case studies.     

Because you are engaging with a NSW government agency, you can collaborate, share information and value-engineer with the expert partner to achieve the best outcome.  

How do I demonstrate value for money if engaging an in-house team via the EAN?  

You should consider value for money when you engage another agency to provide expert assistance, particularly if the engagement is on a cost recovery or fee-for-service basis – noting you don’t have to engage a competitive process to demonstrate value for money (ie you don’t need to provide three quotes). 

The Procurement Policy Framework states that value for money considers a balanced assessment of a range of factors, such as quality, cost, fitness for purpose, capability, capacity, risk, and total cost of ownership. Visit the buyNSW site for more information. 

Do in-house expert teams need to be on prequalification schemes before they can be engaged?  

You can engage another government entity to provide expert assistance, even if the Procurement Board mandated the use of a prequalification scheme or whole-of-government contract for equivalent services.   

The government entity doesn’t need to be a member of a scheme or panel contract to be engaged.  

Does the use of in-house expertise require the same internal approvals and agreements as using external professional services?  

You can use the EAN to engage directly with the government entity, so you won’t require a specific procurement process.  

In most cases, where an NSW Government agency is contracting with another NSW Government agency or department, it’s not appropriate for the government to contract with itself. A project agreement is usually sufficient.  

Please refer to your department procurement policy for approvals for interagency engagements.  

Can I share a closed RFP with the EAN for the purposes of expert matching if it is already in market?  

Yes, use of the EAN is a separate internal process from going to market and should be considered before that commences. If that’s not possible, then the EAN can still be engaged in parallel to any external process.  

What if I decide I want to test the market with an RFQ after I have engaged with the EAN?  

You can approach the market if you determine that it is the best option for your project.   

Can I request an EAN partner respond to a market engagement?  

The EAN has been set up to support the use of in-house resources, rather than going out to market. In most cases, an EAN partner will not participate in a market-based process.  

When using the EAN, how do I know if in-house expert teams have followed the competitive neutrality policy?  

Policies are in place to ensure significant government businesses don’t have a competitive advantage over other businesses simply because they’re owned by the government.  

The obligation to consider competitive neutrality applies to the agency providing services, not the agency procuring the service. Agencies engaging another government entity through the EAN aren’t required to consider whether competitive neutrality is applied. For further information, visit the buyNSW website. The 2023 IPART review of Competitive neutrality in NSW may also assist.  

Does the EAN support endorsement to procurement projects for unaccredited agencies? 

Any NSW Government agency, including those that are unaccredited, can submit an inquiry to the EAN. However, the EAN does not provide any formal endorsement under the NSW Procurement Accreditation Framework. 

Does the EAN have capability to provide concurrence for projects to level 1 agencies? 

The EAN does not hold formal authority to provide concurrence. Concurrence is typically provided by accredited agencies within a cluster or, where capacity allows, by NSW Procurement.