A number of voices from within the Australian ICT industry have welcomed the federal government’s announced changes to its ICT procurement policy which is targeted at giving SMBs a fairer go at bidding for government contracts.
The new measures will cap government IT contracts at a maximum of $100 million or three years' duration.
Additionally, it is planned to increase the share of SMEs by 10% in the annual $6.5 billion ICT spend. This would amount to $650 million per annum.
Australian Information Industry Association chief executive Rob Fitzpatrick said the changes made it easier for smaller Australian ICT companies to bid for components of larger projects.
{loadposition sam08}The changes were similar to recommendations made by the AIIA to provide a more level playing field, he added.
“We are particularly pleased to hear the minister’s strong commitment to cloud services across government and to reforming existing panel arrangements. AIIA has expressed concern for some time that current approaches are out of sync with new business and operating models," Fitzpatrick said.
“All these changes open the door for government agencies to embrace innovation and new ideas and puts us a step closer to breaking down Canberra’s risk-averse culture. The government has also sent an important message about the importance of delivering on its digital transformation agenda.
“To succeed, it will be important to implement the spirit of these changes effectively, and industry looks forward to working with the government to ensure an effective rollout.”
Macquarie Government managing director Aidan Tudehope said the reforms were a potential game-changer in driving the digital transformation of government agencies.
The so-called "vendor lock-in" problem had presented real barriers to agencies trying to move to the cloud, he added.
“Agencies that have outsourced the management of their computing infrastructure too often find they have lost visibility over their own infrastructure, and have tight constraints over their ability to move to different models of operating, such as cloud computing,” Tudehope said.
“A move to smaller and more modular contractual models was a key component of the UK Government’s success in rapidly increasing its use of more agile and better value-for-money cloud computing."
He also welcomed the vision of Canberra as a world leading digital government hub as described by Taylor.
“Macquarie Government has invested heavily in Canberra in recent years, and is in the middle of yet more investment, because we firmly believe in the city’s digital future,” Tudehope pointed out.
“The opportunities for Australian businesses to work better and more closely with the agencies and departments in Canberra will undoubtedly be enhanced by the new procurement arrangements announced today.”