NT Govt ICT contracts up for grabs

The Northern Territory Government today said it would consult with the local information technology industry over the coming months as to how $80 million worth of ICT services would be provided in future.

The Territory's minister for business and employment, Kon Vatskalis, said in a statement that his department currently managed the government's ICT outsourcing contracts.

"The current contracts are worth approximately $80 million per annum and are due to expire in 2010," Vatskalis said in a statement. "We are commencing a consultation process now to ensure the Government's ICT is positioned to meet future requirements."

Up for grabs will be whole-of-government contracts in the areas of telecommunications carrier services, data networks, voice communications (fixed and mobile), desktop services, messaging, video conferencing, help desk services and security.

The Territory plans to formally go to market for the services in mid-2009, after it has conducted more informal briefings and consultation with the industry.

The Territory expects to commence industry briefing sessions in Darwin, Alice Springs and Sydney during the week beginning 8 September, to coincide with the release of a discussion paper on the matter.

Vatskalis did not say which companies currently provided the services, however Telstra, Fujitsu and Darwin-based firm CSG are all known to have large contracts with the Territorial Government.