NSW Govt finalises $120m panel deals

The NSW Department of Commerce is on the verge of finalising two whole-of-government technology panel contracts worth about $120 million, the NSW Office of Procurement confirmed today.

It is the first time we've had a panel of this nature established.

Jason Bradshaw

One of these panels — the ICT services approved supply panel — is a megalith combining seven other former panels. The former panels catered for software development services, data wide area network consultancy, telecommunications cabling, IT consultants, unique ICT services and contracts, information security services and products as well as geographical information services.

"It is the first time we've had a panel of this nature established," Jason Bradshaw, vendor manager for the Office of Procurement, told ZDNet.com.au today. "It's an easier way to engage with a larger market," he continued, with only one method of going to the market to acquire quotes.

Offers to those the government has chosen to be on the panel have already been sent out. Until now, 150 suppliers have been signed on, with more to come as replies filter in. Although this number was large, Bradshaw said there were 31 service categories in the panel, and not every member of the panel could sell on every category.

The panel is worth $70 million annually, with the lion's share of that likely to go to the top 20 vendors of the panel, according to Bradshaw.

The full list of suppliers will be published on 8 April.

Another contract which has almost been wrapped up is the Category 5 telecommunications products and services panel, which includes products such as video-conferencing equipment and PABX telephone systems. The government would spend around $50 million annually on this panel, which will contain around 80 suppliers. The vendors have been chosen and offers will shortly be sent out. The full list of suppliers will also be published in April.