Victorian IT Minister Marsha Thomson, said the revamped panel for government ICT (Information and Communications Technology) contracts valued at less than A$1 million (US$757,980) would now have more categories and flexibility to reflect the changing ICT industry.
"This will be the first tender to adopt the [state] government's new policies allowing contractors to retain ownership of intellectual property they develop for the Victorian government," Thomson said.
The new panel will have 18 categories supplemented by multiple areas of skills and specialties and service arranged in a matrix so it's easier to identify each company's range of skills and expertise.
Since the panel began in 2003, its members have gained A$54.2 million in government contracts and completed work on almost 1000 projects. In addition, Thomson said the panel has saved the ICT industry up to A$37 million in reduced tendering costs.
Of the 208 companies on the list, she said more than 80 percent are either Victorian or Australian SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises).
"Our Victorian companies have done extremely well, winning 70 percent of all contracts awarded through the panel over the past three years, valued at almost A$30 million," Thomson said.
She said leveraging government ICT spend to foster innovation and invest in local industry are key planks in the Victorian government's five-year ICT Industry Plan, launched last December.
Australian Information Industry Association Chief Executive Officer Rob Durie said access to government contracts for small to medium-sized enterprises was a great way to facilitate industry growth. "The new intellectual property policies mean these contractors have the potential to realize even more lasting benefits from their involvement with government," he said.
Information regarding the request for tender for the whole of Victorian government eServices Panel is available at www.tenders.vic.gov.au.