Coordinated ICT Procurement
Finance’s 2007-08 Annual Report noted that the department, with the Department of Defence as the lead agency, had commenced negotiation of a Volume Sourcing Agreement (VSA) with Microsoft. The agreement was signed on 29 January 2009 and provides favourable pricing and licensing conditions for the supply of Microsoft products to Australian Government agencies and bodies. The agreement is expected to cover more than $200 million in software purchases by the government over four years and to deliver annual savings of at least $15 million. The Microsoft VSA is the first of several ICT initiatives to be completed under the government’s new Coordinated Procurement Contracting Framework, which is outlined further in Chapter 5 – Outcome 2: Improved and More Efficient Government Operations.
Finance continued to administer the Australian Government Telecommunications Arrangements in 2008-09. These arrangements aggregate the government’s telecommunications purchasing to achieve improved pricing and service efficiencies.
During 2008-09, the department undertook a scoping study to provide advice to the government on initiatives that will deliver further cost savings and efficiencies. Finance is developing advice based on the study for the government’s consideration.
During 2008-09, Finance also conducted a scoping study examining the viability of a coordinated procurement approach for the provision of desktop and laptop hardware and associated services. Finance is currently developing advice based on this study for the government’s consideration.