Australia expands vendor base

The Victorian Government recently announced a refresh of the Victorian Government eServices Panel, which includes companies that are eligible to bid for contracts to provide ICT services to government departments and agencies, to be completed by October 31, 2011. Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips said there was an apparent need for a broader panel to meet the government’s ICT requirements, apart from the initial 188 companies in the initial eServices Panel.
“Companies will have another opportunity to secure a place on the panel, which will result in greater choice and competition for departments as well as improved access for more small and medium enterprises to government business opportunities,” Rich-Phillips said. “The eServices Panel is also designed to improve the Victorian Government’s value for money and efficiency in engaging ICT service providers, so it’s important the panel serves these purposes as well.” The Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance will provide additional detail about the evaluation criteria and implement a more streamlined and transparent panel exemption process and provide clear advice to government departments seeking exemptions to use companies not on the panel.
An industry-government working party will also be established to provide advice to the government on the future approach and operation of the eServices Panel. Minister Rich-Phillips said the government will continue to work with industry to ensure Victoria maintain its position as a globally competitive and sophisticated ICT market.
“The Victorian Government aims to increase transparency of usage of the eServices Panel, and develop a process whereby exemptions will not be unreasonably withheld, including publishing regular reports on the Victorian Government Purchasing Board website,” Rich-Phillips added.

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