The Federal Government has taken another step in its efforts to give smaller IT suppliers a better chance to compete for public sector work, releasing a Request for Information (RFI) for its proposed Hardware Marketplace.
The DTA, which handles much of the Federal Government’s IT procurement panels, released a Request for Information (RFI) on 9 March, calling for feedback from potential public sector partners as part of the process involved in setting up the new hardware procurement arrangement.
In December last year, the DTA put the call out to industry feedback to help it develop a dedicated IT Hardware Marketplace.
The proposed Hardware Marketplace is aimed at allowing government entities to buy IT hardware to support internal business processes.
It will include hardware categories such as storage, network equipment, and technical and logistical services, and be available for all Federal, State and local governments to use, for all categories.
“We’re planning to have some products and services available from June 2018 with more added over time,” the DTA said in a statement late last year.
The move comes as Data#3 is named as the sole provider of Microsoft licensing solutions on the Australian Government’s new whole-of-government software procurement arrangement.
The new win sees Data#3 once again retain its coveted position as the sole whole-of-government Microsoft licensing provider under the new panel.
“Today, the Australian Government announced two new initiatives to reform the way it buys digital products and services, making it simpler, clearer and faster for both buyers and sellers,” a statement from the office of the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Digital Transformation, Michael Keenan, said.
“A new software services and licensing panel and hardware marketplace will foster innovation, encourage competition and increase the number of small to medium enterprises selling to government.
“By consolidating existing ICT procurement panels and simplifying the application process, we will reduce duplication and make it easier for government and smaller sellers to do business,: it stated.
According to Keenan, the open application process will allow new sellers to join more frequently, with more opportunities and easier access to sell to government.
The DTA has previously flagged that it hopes to create new IT procurement arrangements that give smaller tech players greater opportunities to pitch for government work.
