Earlier this month, the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support the Hon. Mike Kelly announced that Defence is inviting the information and communication technologies (ICT) industry to assist in providing future Defence central ICT services and terrestrial communication services.
This follows an approach to industry in November 2009 when Defence invited information responses for the provision of certain distributed communications services to gauge the level of interest should Defence offer a firm business opportunity.
Kelly said that procurement activity for these services is now underway through the release of a request for tender.
Through a separate but parallel tender process Defence is also aiming to contract certain network equipment maintenance services for terrestrial communications.
The contract for terrestrial communication services expires in June 2010 and the contract for Defence central ICT services expires in November 2010.
Kelly said industry has a significant role to play in enhancing Defence ICT services while at the same time reducing complexity and lowering costs. These are key aspects of the Defence Strategic Reform Program and the Defence ICT Strategy.
“I encourage the ICT industry to actively participate in these Defence initiatives,” Kelly said. “Although Defence aims to consolidate certain ICT services, and therefore fewer suppliers will be selected, those chosen as key strategic partners will have increased responsibility and opportunity to contribute to Defence’s business outcome.”
Tenders will be evaluated against a set of published criteria that will emphasise the responsiveness, flexibility and transparency that is needed to support ICT operations and a significant Defence reform agenda.
Defence maintains secure networks supporting some 100,000 users in Australia and overseas.