Proposed New Whole-of-Government Supply Arrangement for Computer Hardware and Associated Services

The Queensland Government Chief Procurement Office (QGCPO) will be approaching the market in 2012 to establish a new whole-of-Government supply arrangement for the provision of computer hardware and associated services (i.e. desktop PCs, portable computers, commodity-class servers, mobile devices and associated services). The new arrangement will replace the existing whole-of-Government supply arrangement QP-707 and the Department of Education's supply arrangement, EDPSA-103.1.

QGCPO aims to release an invitation to offer (ITO) for the new supply arrangement in the first calendar quarter of 2012—the target timeframe for establishing the new arrangement is July 2012. * Please not the 'publishing' dates referred to in this document relate to the publishing/unpublishing of the Forward Procurement Schedule and not necessarily the ITO.

QGCPO reviewed the strategy and requirements for the new arrangement in close consultation with its key internal stakeholders, industry representatives and the ICT Industry Workgroup. The progression of the new arrangement has recently passed an important milestone with completion of the '$2 million review' process, which is coordinated by the Queensland Government Chief Information Office in conjunction with the ICT Industry Workgroup.  This represents the approval of the procurement strategy and operating model for the new arrangement, summarised as:

A Standing Offer Arrangement (SOA) panel comprising two categories:
* Category A: Supply and Support of Hardware
* Category B: Supply of Lifecyle Management Services

Offerors will be able to submit partial offers for both categories, either as individual entities or as consortia, as OEMs, reseller/ channel partners, or other service providers.  A full briefing on the agreed strategy and important features of the tendering process will be advised, once approval is received to issue the ITO.

Significant benefits are expected to flow from the new arrangement, such as:

• highly competitive pricing from the aggregation of government purchasing volume
• significant reductions in the total cost of ownership for government ICT equipment fleets
• creation and co-ordination of opportunities for local ICT SMEs and capable social enterprises to participate in the provision of government ICT services
• decreased costs of tendering for the government and suppliers
• streamlined procure-to-pay and contract management processes for both government and suppliers
• a broader based and more consistent application of sustainability standards in the manufacture, supply and disposal of ICT equipment.

More information on the new arrangement can be obtained from the QGCPO Project Manager, Procurement Services, Tim Van Leuven by phone (07) 3224 4183 or email timothy.vanleuven@qgcpo.qld.gov.au.