Joint specialist services (JSS)

In accordance with Article 11 of the Federal Act on the Use of Electronic Means to Carry Out Official Tasks (EMOTA), joint specialist services (JSS) are centrally provided IT resources and related services that address a specific specialist need shared by several administrative units within the Federal Administration. JSS link an IT resource (e.g. a specialist application or a platform) to a corresponding organisational and operating model and are managed centrally by a lead administrative unit (LAU).

Objective and purpose

The JSS support and drive the Federal Administration’s digital transformation by developing joint building blocks and minimising isolated solutions. This creates synergies, harmonises standards and best practices, makes more efficient use of resources and reduces risks thanks to pooled expertise and joint further development. The JSS help the Federal Administration to reach the goals set out in its digital strategy. Their legal and organisational framework is laid down in Article 11 EMOTA, Article 11 of the Ordinance on Digital Services and the Digital Transformation in the Federal Administration (DigiO) and the DTI Sector’s Directive P054 (available in German). These provisions set out the requirements, tasks, responsibilities, financing and billing.

Life cycle

The Federal Chancellery’s Digital Transformation and ICT Steering Sector maintains a portfolio of existing JSS. The Delegate for Digital Transformation and ICT Steering (DTI Delegate) decides whether a JSS should be included in the portfolio and designates the lead administrative unit for each JSS. A JSS generally goes through a defined life cycle consisting of three phases. 

During the initiation phase, the JSS is designed from initial idea to approval of the development phase. This includes defining the organisation and clarifying the financing.

During the development phase, the first pilot services are provided, and the JSS is launched and integrated into the organisation. This phase is limited to a maximum of three years.

During the subsequent operational phase, the service is provided on a regular basis, including monitoring and any further development of the ICT solution or operating model that may be required. The DTI Delegate formally decides when to transition between phases.

Organisation and roles

Governance of the JSS ensures clear responsibilities throughout its life cycle. The key roles are:

Delegate for Digital Transformation and ICT Steering (DTI Delegate): The DTI Delegate is the strategic decision-making authority for JSS. They define the JSS portfolio, designate the lead administrative units (LAUs) and decide whether to transition between phases. They also make decisions on strategically relevant projects.

• Point of contact for strategic policy decisions and escalations

Joint Specialist Service specialist authority: The JSS specialist authority is part of the DTI Sector and acts as the central point of contact and advisory service for JSS. It provides methodological support for the lead administrative units, ensures portfolio compliance and makes recommendations on decision-making frameworks. The JSS specialist authority does not carry out any procurements of its own; however, it ensures that JSS procurements are portfolio-compliant and aligned with the strategy.

• Point of contact for methodological, conceptual and portfolio-related queries

Lead administrative unit (LAU): The LAU is responsible for the entire life cycle of a JSS from specialist, financial and operational perspectives. It runs the service in a user-oriented way, coordinates the administrative units involved and is the sole client for procuring the necessary ICT and service solutions.

• Central point of contact for operational, specialist and procurement-related queries

JSS overview

The following JSS are currently in the portfolio:

JSS Business Process Automation (BPA): The JSS BPA establishes process automation within the Federal Administration, providing expertise, advice and support for the process of implementing automation. The goal is to provide standardised, efficient access to automation.

• LAU: GS-EAER
• Status: Initiation phase
• Factsheet

JSS Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): ERP is a software system that supports processes in areas such as finance, human resources, real estate and logistics. The JSS ERP plans and manages the Confederation-wide SAP solution for ERP services and coordinates cross-cutting ERP issues, ensuring that operations and further development are harmonised across the Federal Administration.

• LAU: GS-FDF
• Status: Initiation phase