NSW inks eight more supplier contracts

The NSW Government Chief Information Office has appointed eight new suppliers to its Approved Supplier Panel, designed to facilitate public sector procurement.

The contract, 2020: ICT Services Approved Supplier Panel, was launched in March 2009 and allowed State Government organisations to request quotations from the pre-approved suppliers for projects worth up to $10 million.

Including the new appointments, there were 320 panel members across 32 categories, including customer relationship management, data management, security, development and support.

Suppliers were accredited to levels A, B or C depending on their experience and annual turnover in ICT Services.

Agreements expired on 28 February 2012, unless extended by the NSW GCIO or terminated by either party.

Level A suppliers, with at least five years' experience and an annual turnover of at least $1 million, could work on projects up to $10 million.

Level B suppliers needed at least 2 years' experience and $500,000 turnover, and could supply to projects worth up to $500,000, while Level C suppliers could work on projects up to $250,000.

The eight new suppliers were consultants, integrators and vendors specialised in information asset management systems including those by Open Text, Tower Software, and Microsoft.

They were: Astral Consulting Services; ELO Digital Office; EMC Global Holdings; Icognition; Knowledge Partners;KPT Consulting/Window Logic; Unique World and Opticon Australia.

Announcing the new suppliers, the NSW GCIO stated that the panel would provide easy access to prequalified suppliers "at competitive prices, making it quicker and easier to collect quotes from multiple suppliers".

Suppliers were said to be chosen based on price, company stability, previous contract experience, number and expertise of staff, experience in advising, scoping, designing and implementing solutions, responses to real life information asset management system (IAMS) scenarios, and their commitment to building and maintaining capability in the NSW public sector.

A spokesman for the Department of Services, Technology and Administration said negotiations with further potential suppliers were ongoing.