Finance awards Major Office Machines panels

Australia's Department of Finance has announced a list of vendors from whom agencies must now purchase printers and other office machines after the conclusion of a selective tender process.

Piles of printer devices

The Government's Major Office Machines Whole of Government Equipment and Support Panel was expected to save the Government $4.2 million, according to last year's budget papers, including a $1.3 million tender for conducting the tender.

But after eight months of evaluation and several large purchases of printers by agencies under 'transition arrangements', Finance is now unsure of whether it can achieve the cost-saving targets. 

Even the Departmemt of Finance and Deregulation spent over $368,000 on Lexmark printers in September whilst the tender process was in place.

“During the period that a whole of government arrangement is being established, it is important that agencies can maintain continuity of supply to deliver the policies, programs and services for which they are responsible,” a Finance spokesperson informed ITnews at the time.

The spokesman said that despite these deals, the major office machines tender would still deliver "net benefits to government", but was unable to provide figures.

The MOMs arrangements cover three categories of equipment and support including maintenance and consumables (excluding paper):

Category 1 - Network Printers;

Category 2 - Multi-function Devices; and

Category 3 - Scanners.

The successful panellists by category are:

Category 1, 2 and 3:

• Fuji Xerox Australia Pty Ltd.

Category 1 and 2:

• Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd;
• Kyocera Mita Australia Pty Ltd; and
• Ricoh Australia Pty Ltd.

Category 1 only:

• Lexmark International (Australia) Pty Limited;

Category 2 only:

• Sharp Corporation of Australia Pty Limited.

Use of the panel is to be mandatory for agencies subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.