Govt outsources parliamentary support

The federal Department of Parliamentary Services has begun attempts to outsource helpdesk requirements for some 260 electoral offices outside of Parliament House.

The three-year contract would see a third party provide helpdesk and software support services to parliamentary offices provided for sitting MPs and senators, as well as former Prime Ministers.

Each office requires up to six staff as well as strictly maintained IT equipment, often procured through whole-of-government panels.

Though contracts for IT support and equipment for electoral offices have already been awarded in the past several months, a request for tender released last month revealed the department sought to outsource its remaining requirements to maintain and upgrade equipment at the 260 offices while dealing with warranty service maintenance and panel suppliers.

The department indicated it would also consider maintaining pools of spare equipment under the contract, outside of panel arrangements.

But the department has sought to maintain a high level of control over the helpdesk, continuing to maintain its own helpdesk as a primary point of contact for some support services and providing authority for on-site support when required.