Victoria earmarks $150 million annually over 4 years on telco upgrades

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The Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet is fast-tracking the modernisation of core agencies’ voice, data, mobile, internet and unified communications infrastructure. This upgrade earmarks $150 million annually over four years. FST Government speaks to Jag Rewal, director, Whole-of-Victoria Government Technology Procurement Group, about the shape of 21st century telecommunications.

The Victorian government has moved to modernise core agencies’ telecommunications infrastructure, incorporating voice, data, mobile, internet and unified communications. According to Jag Rewal, director, Whole-of-Victoria Government Technology Procurement Group , Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), this upgrade is a “significant development,” and replaces existing contracts that have been around for over 10 years. 

Rewal, a keynote speaker at the FST Government Victoria conference being held Wednesday 20th July (Melbourne) said the state’s “Telecommunications Purchasing and Management Strategy 2025” involves a refresh of the way agencies will procure and use telecommunication services over the next 10 years.

Among the initiatives, the DPC is establishing panel arrangements to deliver agency-wide services for data, voice, mobile, internet, and unified communications. Proposals are sought from solutions providers for one of these panels. A market engagement commenced on 23 May and is currently underway.. A refreshed list of telco providers will deliver whole-of -government services to core portfolio departments and agencies.

Contestable marketplace

Victoria’s telco procurement refresh marks a significant shift in the way services will be used in future, noted Rewal. “This strategy offers more flexibility around the use of technology. We’re also introducing a more contestable marketplace, while ensuring that suppliers are not locked out.”

 A previous project, VicConnect, which would have refreshed the existing telecommunications contracts was disbanded. The latest upgrade opens the market to new entrants and establishes a 10 year. Strategy.

All Victorian Government departments are mandated to use these new services. These are Department of Economic Development, Jobs,Transport and Resources; Department of Education and Training; Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning; Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Justice and Regulation; Department of Premier and Cabinet and Department of Treasury and Finance) and nominated bodies under Victorian Government Purchasing Board policies  Outer budget agencies and local government will also tap into services from the list of finalists, when announced.

“There’s now a more conscious effort to ensure the contracts are flexible and providing greater value,” Rewal said. “We’ve looked at a refresh for the past 6 years, and have worked closely with stakeholders from all departments and representative agencies. We’ve also sought internal feedback and drawn on external expertise.”

Victoria’s whole-of-government plan incorporates managing the end-to-end procurement lifecycle. The focus is on strategic vendor management, while tracking vendor performance, and the manner in which agencies leverage contracts.

As the central body, the DPC maintains an ICT procurement advisory role to departments and agencies. It seeks to create opportunities for the ICT industry, while engaging with solutions providers in an open, transparent and more competitive marketplace.

Details involving the telco refresh are available at this dedicated site.