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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General

Agencies

Suppliers

What is a "multi use list"?

The Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines describes a multi use list as "...a list, intended for use in more than one procurement, of pre-qualified potential suppliers who have satisfied the conditions for participation for inclusion on the list". (See 8.15)

What is the ICT Management Consultants multi use list?

The ICT Management Consultants multi use list (ICT MCL) was established to enable Australian Government agencies to improve the quality of their ICT business case development and benchmarking, corporate governance, and ICT project management and delivery.

The ICT MCL commenced on 22 October 2007 for 2 years. The Department of Finance and Deregulation (through AGIMO) exercised the option to extend the program for a further year until 31 October 2010. The Department elected to further extend this Multi Use List until 31 October 2011, with the option to extend annually.

The list contains ten niche categories. Suppliers complete the online Request for Application, relating their capability and experience against nominated categories. AGIMO chairs an Evaluation Committee which determines if, and for which categories a supplier may be admitted to the ICT MCL. The ICT MCL is then published on the AGIMO website. Government agencies may use the ICT MCL to streamline their procurement process in line with agency specific procurement guidelines.

What are the categories for the ICT Management Consultants multi use list?

The ten categories cover management consultant services specific to ICT projects. Potential suppliers should review the category descriptions to select those for which the business has relevant capabilities and experience. Australian Government agencies should review the category descriptions to determine which description is consistent with the proposed procurement.

Is it mandatory to use the ICT Management Consultants multi use list?

No.

How does the ICT Management Consultants multi use list differ from the ICT Multi Use List?

The ICT Multi Use List (ICT MUL) is a separate, general purpose list of ICT suppliers that wish to sell to the Australian Government. Australian Government departments and agencies can use the list to source suppliers of ICT goods and services and to select tender. Suppliers of ICT products and services can register to be included on the ICT MUL via the AusTender website [External Site].

The ICT Management Consultants multi use list complements the ICT MUL, however it is specific to the ten niche management consultancy categories. Suppliers registered on the ICT MUL may also apply to the ICT Management Consultants multi use list. This ICT Management Consultants multi use list provides suppliers with an opportunity to provide broad company background and accreditation information. Potential suppliers are also asked to relate their capability and experience against the nominated fields. Agencies use this information in order to shortlist suppliers for a particular procurement.

Suppliers interested in selling to the Government are able to access the Australian Government’s listing of business opportunities on AusTender (www.tender.gov.au [External Site]).

How does the ICT Management Consultants multi use list work?

  1. Suppliers apply to the ICT Management Consultancy multi use list (ICT MCL). After each evaluation round, the ICT MCL website will be updated as soon as practicable. Note: suppliers do not enter into a contract with terms and conditions when they are admitted to the multi use list. The contract process is separate. The contract is developed by the agency and is between the agency and the consultant specific to the procurement.
  2. Agencies can select the category of ICT management consultancy services consistent with their planned procurement.
  3. Agencies can view supplier information for all prequalified suppliers from the PDF file for the nominated service category. By viewing the bookmarks within the PDF file, agencies can see at a glance all prequalified suppliers and move freely within the document. Note: only information relevant to that category is included in the PDF. For example, statements relating to other categories are not included.
  4. Agencies can download the supplier contact details (via an Excel spreadsheet), to shortlist and contact suppliers for an agency procurement. Note: the agency will need to use its own tender and contract documents.
  5. Suppliers can update their information at any time. Suppliers can apply at any time.

Note: Agencies must still comply with internal procurement procedures and guidelines as established in agency Chief Executive Instructions or equivalent.

Contacts for further information

For more information on your agency procurement procedures and guidelines, please refer to your Chief Financial Officer or equivalent.

For information on how to use the ICT Management Consultants multi use list, please contact ictprocurement@finance.gov.au or telephone ICT Procurement section in AGIMO on (02) 6215 1597..

Why should an agency use the ICT Management Consultants multi use list?

Looking for specialist skills or a streamlined procurement process?

Australian Government agencies' investments in ICT are often complex and costly. Projects have to integrate with existing legacy systems, new and emerging business systems within and across agencies, jurisdictions and the private sector. ICT management consultants on the multi use list can assist agencies to establish and/or improve:

The ICT Management Consultants multi use list provides a streamlined procurement process for agencies. Once the appropriate category is identified, an agency may shortlist and select tender from the multi use list to establish an agency specific panel, or to undertake a single procurement. By knowing the maximum number of suppliers which will respond to the tender, agencies can plan resources involved in the tender evaluation.

Why include intended procurements in your agency Annual Procurement Plan?

The intention of Annual Procurement Plans is to draw business' early attention to potential procurement opportunities. Annual Procurement Plans are published by each agency on AusTender by 1 July each year. The Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines (8.58) advise that an agency may establish a time limit that is less than 25 days but no less than 10 days:

"a. where the agency has published details of the procurement in an Annual Procurement Plan on AusTender, at least 30 days and not more than 12 months in advance, and these details include a description of the procurement, the estimated timing of the approach to the market, and the procedure to obtain request documentation."

Agencies must ensure that such notice will give potential suppliers sufficient time to complete the application process for the multi use list. For more information on Annual Procurement Plans, see Preparing and Maintaining an Annual Procurement Plan, part of the Good Procurement Practice series published by the Department of Finance and Deregulation or contact your CFO unit.

How do I use the ICT Management Consultants multi use list?

Information on how agencies can use the ICT Management Consultants multi use list.

Does being on the multi use list guarantee government contracts?

No. Agencies may use the information provided by suppliers and published on the multi use list to shortlist agencies for a select tender process. The tender process will be conducted in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and agency specific Chief Executive Instructions.

Suppliers should ensure that their information relating to their capabilities and experience for the relevant service category, is accurate, current and succinct.

How and when can I apply?

The ICT Management Consultant multi use list operated for 2 years from 22 October 2007. The Department of Finance and Deregulation (through AGIMO) elected to extend the multi use list for a further year. The Department of Finance and Deregulation has elected to further extend this Multi Use List until 31 October 2011, with the option to extend annually.

Applications can be submitted at any time during that period. Additions and amendments to the multi use list will be made as soon as practicable after evaluation.

The Request for Application is available online. Applicants must articulate their organisational capability and experience in the provision of the identified services, as part of the Conditions for Participation. Organisations that have submitted a Request for Application and have satisfied the Conditions for Participation will be included on the ICT MCL as soon as practicable. It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants download the Handy Hints document at the top of the application page.

The information provided by successful applicants (pre-qualified suppliers) will be available for access by all agencies and the public through the AGIMO website.

To start an application please use the Request For Application Online Form.

How is my application assessed?

All applications will be assessed by an AGIMO Evaluation Committee. All suppliers that meet the minimum conditions for participation will be included. A supplier may be accepted for one or more of the service categories applied for.

When is the ICT Management Consultants multi use list updated?

The list is updated as soon as practicable after each evaluation round or as suppliers update their details.

How and when should I update my information?

To update supplier details, including contact information, please send an email to ictprocurement@finance.gov.au.

To correct typographical errors, please send an email - containing the content for the entire field - to ictprocurement@finance.gov.au. This will be used to cut and past over your existing information. Note: if the content substance is amended, AGIMO will have the application reassessed.

How do I apply for a further one or more categories?

This applies to current ICT Management Consultant multi use list suppliers seeking inclusion for additional categories. It also includes situations where a supplier updates or refines original data provided to AGIMO.

  1. Complete the online Request for Application form - noting "Subsequent Application".
  2. Complete Organisation Name and ensure contact information is current.
  3. Complete all Supplier's Statement fields which have either changed or are new offers of service.
  4. Complete Supplier's Declaration and submit for evaluation.

AGIMO will refer the new category content to the Evaluation Committee for assessment. On approval, the online multi use list will be updated.

What are some common reasons for an application being unsuccessful?

Each application is considered based on the information supplied in the Request for Application. The most common reasons applications have been unsuccessful are:

Contact for information on this page: ictprocurement@finance.gov.au

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Last Modified: 16 November, 2010