
A maximum of four providers were appointed to the Authorised Supplier Panel for voice and mobile service under the General Telecommunications Agreement (GTA).
Under the GTA all NSW Government agencies and approved users can purchase Macquarie Telecom services for fixed voice and mobile voice/data.
The tender was awarded for an initial three year term with options for two extensions of one year each.
The NSW Department of Commerce managed the tender process on behalf of the Government of New South Wales. The GTA will replace existing voice and mobile panel arrangements under the Department of Information Technology and Management (DITM) arrangements to which Macquarie Telecom was also an approved supplier.
David Tudehope, chief executive at Macquarie Telecom's said the “smart buy” electronic procurement process means government agencies can purchase Macquarie Telecom services without having to undergo their own tendering process.
“With the due diligence already carried out by the Department of Commerce, the hard work has already been done for the agencies,” said Tudehope.
The GTA is a key part of the Government of New South Wale's procurement reform process as outlined by the Minister for Commerce in the Government ICT Strategic Plan, People First – a new direction for ICT in NSW (launched in July 2006).