Since the 1990s, the Queensland Government has procured ICT products and services through the Government Information Technology Contracting (GITC) framework - a one-size-fits-all model.
In 2015 there were 1,508 accredited GITC suppliers and it is estimated that the Queensland Government signed 1,400 GITC contracts, valued at around $800 million.
Many of the suppliers and ICT products and services available today didn't exist when the framework was created.
Marginal updates to the GITC framework have not allowed it to keep up with the fast pace of innovation and technology development.
A review of the GITC contracting framework took place in 2015.
The purpose was to answer the question "What is the right contracting framework for ICT procurement for Queensland Government?"
Through a series of consultations and co-design workshops with suppliers, legal firms and government representatives, the review concluded a more contemporary approach to ICT contracting was needed.
The aim was to establish a framework that:
- reduces the cost of doing business with government
- enables simple and fast procurement
- provides protection for contracting parties; and
- allows contracts to be formed for emerging and innovative ICT products and services
A framework that provides a choice of contract forms appropriate for the risk and value of each procurement.
We then embarked on the GITC refresh, a 3 stage journey that has led us to where we are today.
It has involved suppliers and government representatives working together to co-design a new framework.
The first stage involved small groups of industry and government stakeholders shaping the key aspects of the framework, ready for broad consultation.
It also brought to light some quick wins to make using the current GITC framework easier.
The second stage was where suppliers and government representatives were invited to be part of the wider consultation.
Over 200 stakeholders were invited to workshops and to take surveys to provide their input and feedback on the key elements of the framework – the contracts, a contract type decision tool, guidelines for using supplier terms and conditions and the approach to transition to the new framework.
To ensure the best outcomes from the consultation, we agreed to hold ourselves to six engagement principles.
The third and final stage is when the new framework is rolled out and the documents are ready for use, acknowledging there are some existing contractual arrangements that will remain until they come to an end.
Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. It has been a testament to how we can work together to deliver on efficiencies for both buyers and suppliers in Queensland.