ICT Services Scheme

A01 Enterprise and business architecture

Analysis of business structure and processes, development of technology roadmaps to support business and ICT strategies.

Development and dissemination of ICT standards taking into account impact on legacy technologies and facilitating adoption of future trends.

This includes modelling, development and adoption of frameworks as well as definition of current, transitional and future state architectures.

A02 Information architecture

Information architecture covers all the sources and forms of information that define the enterprise architecture.

The information architecture layer includes information and data models, processes for managing information, standards for the manipulation and presentation of information, governance of information, infrastructure and technology for storing, manipulating and transmitting information, and taxonomy for categorisation of information.

Information architecture services may include:

• development of enterprise architectures (EA, both for current state and future state) for the information architecture layer within complex organisational environments
• development of models
• standards and guidelines for the information architecture to meet the diverse needs of EA projects
• understanding the architectural capabilities and constraints of the range of technologies that support data and information in distributed systems
• information and data modelling
• taxonomies and content descriptions and utilisation of tools
• models and templates to support capture
• analysis and presentation of findings to a wide variety of stakeholders.

A03 Solution architecture

Development of technology solutions that deliver business requirements within the guidelines of an enterprise architecture, when available.

This includes development of technical specifications, selection of technology components and development of solution designs.

B01 Benchmarking

Benchmarking includes identifying accurate historical or current data against which a data set can be compared now or in the future.

Demonstrated experience in the identification, adaption and adoption of benchmarking processes is also required.

C01 Data centre services

Provision of expert advice and recommendations on migration strategies, future data centre operating and governance models including best practices such as ITIL.

Assistance with key strategic documents. Provision of services to assist with actual migration activities. Provision of services associated with data centre operational activities including delivery 'as a service'.

All other data centre services are provided under the NSW Government's data centre lease arrangement with Metronode Pty Ltd.

C02 Data centre equipment

Supply of infrastructure items within the data centre including:

• servers (virtual or dedicated)
• storage systems (for example storage area networks, network attached storage, tape systems, optical systems)
• appliances (for example de-duplication appliances, backup appliances)
• ancillary equipment (for example UPS, firewalls, routers, switches)
• peripherals (for example racks, leads, cable trays).

D01 End user computing installation, configuration and maintenance including delivery as a service

Installation, configuration and maintenance, includes ordering equipment, delivery, installation of operation systems and decommissioning of existing equipment.

D02 End user computing management including delivery as a service

The provision of infrastructure services and the associated supporting resources that enable service level agreements to be met to the customer's satisfaction. As a result, the customer's staff should be able to undertake the core business functions that are dependent on the underlying desktop technology infrastructure.

Includes, monitoring and analysis, backup and recovery and software licence administration. Updates installed as required in line with agreed timeframes.

D03 End user computing hardware including delivery as a service

Supply of personal computers, notebooks and laptops, including full 'as a service'. Monitors can be provided with the end user device.

It excludes the capital acquisition of any device meeting the Government Standard Specification under the ICT End User Devices and Services Contract.

D04 Monitors including delivery as a service

Supply of computer monitors, including full 'as a service'.

Excludes the capital acquisition of any device meeting the Government Standard Specification under the ICT End User Devices and Services Contract.

D05 Other end user computing devices including delivery as a service

Supply of any computer-based end user computing device not included in any other sub-categories under the end user device category, including workstations, thin and zero clients. Includes full 'as a service'.

Excludes the capital acquisition of any device meeting the Government Standard Specification under the ICT End User Devices and Services Contract.

E01 ICT strategy

The provision of strategic vision and documentation associated with information and communications technology supporting ICT.

This includes: strategy and plan development and evaluation, forecasting or analysis of future trends, strategic research and analysis, development of and advice on management frameworks (for example risk, service delivery management and portfolio management).

E02 Procurement management

Procurement transition, integration and delivery of services.

This includes contract development, contract planning, contract formation, contract management and service arrangement.

E03 Efficiency and optimisation

Design, development and maintenance of the operational tools, standards, methods, environment and protocols that enable the consistent and efficient delivery of quality outputs.

This can include methodology planning and implementation, billing checking and management, development and implementation of; policies, procedures, analysis tools and standards for: integration, environment, desktop, project offices, performance and evaluation.

F01 Network equipment installation, configuration and maintenance including delivery as a service

Installation, configuration and maintenance of network equipment.

This includes loading software, unit and network testing to confirm installation of equipment and software solutions, and configuration.

F02 Network operations including delivery as a service

Management of the fixed and mobile network environment.

This includes the provision of integrated support services and architectures that facilitate access to a customer's application for both internal and external users.

The facilities and services should support a secure and effective technological infrastructure.

It also covers traffic management, asset administration, facilities management, building cabling and network environment. Network performance meets agreed standards.

G01 Mobile devices including delivery as a service

Supply or services for mobile device capability including wireless, USB modems, mobile phones, smartphones and tablet devices.

Unit provisioning, firmware, configuration, software and applications as a professional service, managed service or full 'as a service'.

G02 Digitisation including delivery as a service

Services for digitisation life-cycle capability including:

• design, development and implementation of digitisation activities
• provisioning of services or devices (including printers, scanners and multi-function devices) for conversion from physical form
• born-digital capture
• web and social media capture
• descriptive metadata creation
• record creation and cataloguing
• curatorial services
• digital asset management
• workflow design.

This includes provisioning and maintenance of supportable digital forms including but not limited to images, text and printed materials, newspapers, oral work, art works, museum collections, moving image and sound, broadcast media content, legacy digital forms, microform, objects and ephemera, web and social media including as a professional service managed service or full 'as a service'.

G03 Telephony including delivery as a service

Services for telephony capability includes provisioning and maintenance of analogue and digital telephones, faxes, teleconference and video conference capability as a professional service, managed service or full 'as a service'.

H01 Strategic risk management

Considers risk from different perspectives with an organisation: strategic, programme, project and operational.

Manages risks at a strategic and an organisational level and plans ongoing risk management, identifies mitigation tasks and optimising risk opportunities.

Developing a risk methodology or framework.

H02 Business continuity planning

Business continuity planning (BCP) is a process that ensures an organisation can continue to operate after a major crisis or disaster.

BCP covers: preparation of a business continuity plan; including a risk management plan; business impact analysis; incident response plan; a disaster recovery plan.

Disaster recovery plan – a disaster may be anything that results in an inability to access the IT infrastructure, for example fire, flood, gas leaks, storms, serious corruption of data or other damage. It covers crisis management, process systems, operations and technology risks.

H03 Capacity and availability planning

Capacity planning baselines existing resources needs and anticipates the organisation's future needs based on business input into a capacity plan which includes new and upcoming services and products, hardware and application development plans and organisational service levels.

Availability planning includes documenting the current and future needs of the business in an availability plan, assist with diagnosis and resolution of availability related problems, review service reliability, maintainability, prepare redundancy plans, assess the impact of changes or new products or services, development of proactive measures that are cost effective.

H04 Process and technology audits

Conduct ICT processes and technology audits which consider efficiency, costs, service levels, risk levels and alignment to business needs, report findings and make recommendations to the organisation on ways to improve.

I01 Program office standards

The ability to create or review an ICT program office including standards, reporting, change management, stakeholder communication, demand management, schedule management, resource management, configuration management, reporting, benefits realisation via programs, change control, governance and dependency management, project team collaboration, performance monitoring and controlling.

I02 Project, program and portfolio management

Manage a project from end to end including project mandate, initiating and business case, planning, executing, controlling, reporting and closing using a project methodology such as Prince 2®.

Manage large and complex deliverables that are broken down into manageable inter-related projects.

Combines the ability and resources to define, plan, implement and integrate a program of works using a program methodology.

Support and advise senior management decision making on strategic alignment, prioritisation, risk management, optimisation of resources to successfully deliver their business objectives.

I03 Change management

Managing the business impact of implementing an ICT change to the business, including stakeholder communications, process and procedure changes, updates to or new documentation and training.

I04 Quality assurance and compliance

Planned and systematic activities to fulfil quality requirements for a system, product, program or service including assured compliance.

Quality assurance requires demonstrated QA methodologies, experience in control methodologies, compliance audit, diagnostic reviews, health checks, QA governance procedures and where requisite remediation plans.

J01 Server installation, configuration and maintenance including delivery as a service

The installation, configuration and maintenance of operating system software and testing of installation, licences, upgrades, patches of operating system (OS) software.

J02 Operations management including delivery as a service

Management and maintenance of the server environment.

The management of mainframes, servers and ISP hosting hardware as well as the management of operating system and system management software.

Includes the backup and recovery of servers and operating systems.

K01 Security strategy including delivery as a service

Create strategy, architecture, solutions and services that protect ICT environment. Includes developing strategies, conducting security audits and identifying risks and issues and conducting vulnerability assessments.

Supporting and maintaining ISO 27001 certification.

K02 Security management security and firewall installation including delivery as a service

Provision of a security framework that facilitates access to the customers' applications, information and data for both internal and external users.

Security and firewall installation and configuration.

K03 Security testing including delivery as a service

Undertake various security testing including, penetration testing, web security testing, secure code reviews, security and environment testing meets agreed standards.

K04 Security and firewall management including delivery as a service

Management of a security framework that facilitates access to the customers' applications, information and data for both internal and external users.

Including performance monitoring, security upgrades and access management.

L01 Learning services

Providing government with learning services, including learning strategies, needs analysis, learning design and delivery.

Learning may be delivered by a range of means.

M01 Business analysis

Business analysis includes structured identification, analysis and documentation of requirements associated with the design, development and implementation of business systems.

This includes business requirements specification, process analysis and design, procedure development, data migration and conversion planning, development and execution of testing strategies, problem identification and resolution, assessment of training needs, liaison between technical and business staff, research and analysis (for example market and customer), risk assessment and management.

M02 Custom application development including delivery as a service

Custom application development including design and development, enhancement, integration and implementation, data migration and conversion, testing, performance and metrics, maintenance and ongoing support.

Including provision of development, application development and support as a service.

M03 Services including electronic document and records management and customer relationship management (CRM) and case management services including delivery as a service

New or amendment of existing electronic documents and records or customer relationship management (CRM) and case management solutions.

Includes design, development, implementation, data migration, integration training, maintenance, configuration and support.

May also include support with business analysis, transformation and process change.

For ERP service offerings, please refer to Category Q: ERP and related corporate and shared services.

M04 Other software services including delivery as a service

Includes design, development, implementation, data migration, integration training, maintenance, configuration and support for all other software services not already included in other systems and solutions sub-categories.

May also include support with business analysis, transformation and process change.

M05 Information management services including delivery as a service

Developing business information strategies and creating systems.

Includes design, development, implementation, data migration, integration training, maintenance, configuration and support. May also include support with business analysis, transformation and process change.

Covers provision of scientific, operational and administrative datasets, data management, data analysis, master data management, data warehousing, business intelligence, content management and metadata management.

M06 Web design and content management services including delivery as a service

This category includes website design and development, intranet and extranet development, user interface design, content management solutions, flash design and development, database design and development and usability research.

M07 Software support and maintenance services including delivery as a service

Services for licensed software or developed software and may consist of help desk services, updates, new releases, ancillary services, ongoing maintenance services.

M08 Testing services

Includes provision of test services including but not limited to the development and delivery of testing strategies, test plans and defect identification procedures to ensure that solutions reflect requirements.

This can include delivery of any or all aspects as a service.

M09 Software resellers and software asset management services

Brokerage services for licensed software, software asset management and optimisation, and other software maintenance, subscription and support services.

N01 Infrastructure and utilities software

Software licensing and support for database applications, data management, virtualisation and partitioning software, operating systems, enterprise application integration (EAI), application performance and monitoring software, programming language, web design, hosting and middleware applications software and any infrastructure and utilities software.

N02 Software applications

Software licensing and support for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, business intelligence (BI) and enterprise content management (ECM) software, computer-aided design, engineering and manufacturing software, office productivity software, and any software applications not included elsewhere.

N03 Communications and security software

Software licensing and support for networking and mobile development and email and messaging software, cloud management software, identity access and encryption software, data protection, privacy protection and anti-virus software, and any communications and security software.

O01 Fixed line voice services

The provision of fixed-line telecommunications services utilising a physical link.

O02 Fixed line data services

The provision of data services, including delivery as a service using a physical link. This includes fibre, xDSL, ISDN.

O03 Mobile services (including mobile data)

The provision of voice and data services using cellular networks (for example, 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE)

O04 Satellite services

The provision of voice and data services using satellites.

O05 Management and maintenance services

All other telecommunications services including call accounting (TIMS), consolidated telecommunications inventory and cost management (including carrier billing analysis tools), system commissioning, decommissioning, system maintenance (single and multi-vendor), call centres.

P01 Fixed, mobile, satellite, networking equipment

Any physical equipment used in the provision of telecommunications including handsets, headsets, cables, accessories, hubs, bridges, routers, switches, modems, interface cards, firewalls as well as associated systems including but not limited to:

• voice or video mail and unified messaging systems
• contact centre systems
• interactive voice response systems (IVRs)
• music and messaging on hold systems
• voice recording systems
• audio conference systems
• video conferencing and webcam systems
• private paging and public address systems
• broadcast messaging systems.

Q01 Professional services

Includes the provision of strategic analysis and planning, business process management, transition and transformation, business analysis, modelling, design and architecture, development, testing, data migration and conversion (ETL), organisational and change management, systems integration, performance and management and benchmarking.

Q02 ERP software and platform as a service

Includes all enterprise resource planning (ERP) related software in the government marketplace that uses an ‘as a service’ delivery model.

Also includes the provision of platform and utility services for ERP in the government marketplace supporting production environments.

R01 Cloud applications

This includes all on-demand delivery of software applications that uses 'as a service' delivery model with the cloud provider hosting and managing the application and its underlying infrastructure.

R02 Cloud hosting and infrastructure

Services to assist agencies provision of platform and utility services via public/private/community cloud to allow for the development, operation and management of applications. Supporting development, testing and production environments.

Infrastructure as a service solution includes provision of ICT infrastructure via public/private/community cloud that uses 'as a service delivery model.

This includes servers (virtual or dedicated), storage systems, network, appliances and telecommunications, ancillary equipment, peripherals and the hosting of this equipment and operating system.

R03 Cloud support

Services to assist agencies transition to NSW Government data centres or to cloud/as a service solutions. Includes support services for monitoring and managing cloud environments.

Which policies I must abide by?

If you're buying for a NSW Government agency, some of the policies you must adhere to include:

• PBD-2021-02
• PBD-2020-05
• PBD-2021-04
• PBD-2019-02
• NSW Government Procurement Policy Framework
• Aboriginal Procurement Policy
• Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Procurement Policy

Where can I find the contracts to buy from the scheme?

The contracts you and your prospective suppliers need to transact under the ICT Services Scheme are:

• Core& contracts
• MICTA/ICTA contracting framework

How do I choose between suppliers on the ICT Services Scheme?

It depends on the value of the contract.

We recommend using eTendering to seek quotes (RFQ) from suppliers on the scheme.

Can a supplier be on both registered and advanced supplier list?

Yes. Suppliers can apply for either or both supplier listings.

What if the supplier I want to use is not on the ICT Services Scheme?

To comply with PBD-2021-04, you should encourage the supplier to apply to the ICT Services Scheme.

How do I request quotes (RFQs) under the scheme?

You can conduct RFQs using eTendering, your agency's procurement system or by contacting suppliers directly.

How are suppliers accepted on the scheme?

Different criteria applies to suppliers depending on whether they have applied for the registered supplier list or for the advanced registered supplier list.

Details of the supplier acceptance criteria for both supplier listings are provided in the ICT Services Scheme Rules DOCX, 88.53 KB.

How do I know if my ICT service requirements are high risk?

A risk assessment tool is available in the risk assessment toolkit DOCX, 319.4 KB.

You can also consult your internal procurement team.

What terms and conditions have suppliers agreed to in order to be an approved supplier on the scheme?

All suppliers have agreed to a set of ICT Services Scheme Rules DOCX, 88.53 KB

What is the EPP Direction and how does it affect me as a buyer?

PBD-2019-05 establishes requirements for NSW Government agencies arising from international procurement agreements for covered procurements (which currently includes procurements of ICT related goods and services valued $680,000 and over).

NSW Government agencies should familiarise themselves with Part 6 of the EPP Direction, PBD-2020-05 and clause 14 of the ICT Services Scheme Rules DOCX, 88.53 KB.

What should I do when buying above the EPP threshold ($680,000) from the ICT Services Scheme?

The ICT Services Scheme is a procurement list in accordance with Part 6 of the EPP Direction.

When procuring from the scheme, if the procurement has an estimated value of at least $680,000, agencies can invite a limited number of suppliers registered on the ICT Services Scheme.

This is in accordance with section 25(3)(j) of the EPP Direction, clause 14 of the ICT Services Scheme Rules and PBD 2020-05.

The justification for the limitation and the criteria for selecting the relevant suppliers must be based on clauses 14.1 and 14.2 of the ICT Services Scheme Rules respectively.

It is not mandatory to invite only a limited number of suppliers registered on the ICT Services Scheme.

Agencies should aim to vary the suppliers they invite to select tenders, to ensure they are encouraging fair competition wherever possible.

What are the arrangements for acquiring hardware?

PBD-2021-04 mandates NSW Government agencies to use:

• ICT End User Devices and Services Contract
• Imaging Devices Contract.

Devices and services available on these whole-of-government contracts are excluded from the ICT Services Scheme.

That means buyers cannot buy these devices and services via the ICT Services Scheme.

What is the GSS and why is it excluded from supply through the scheme?

The GSS is the Government Standard Specification.

It describes a range of standard office-type end user devices and services purchased in high volumes by NSW Government. A list of end user devices and services can be found in ICT End User Devices and Services Contract.

The models and prices for the GSS have been negotiated with the suppliers on contract 999. NSW Government agencies must use contract 999 when procuring specified End User Devices and Services.

Is disposal of hardware included in the scope of the scheme?

No. Disposal of hardware and other end user services (such as asset tagging, pre-delivery configuration, pre-delivery imaging, basic installation, extended installation, sanitisation services and decommission services) are available through ICT End User Devices and Services Contract.

Is there any crossover or duplication between the ICT Services Scheme and Contract 2390 Imaging Devices?

No. All imaging devices must be purchased through Imaging Devices Contract unless provided “as a service” and owned by the service provider.

The whole-of-government contract 2390 is mandatory for short term rentals and purchase of hardware devices including MFD, as per PBD-2021-04.

What software cannot be purchased through the ICT Services Scheme?

Software available through whole-of-government contracts must be acquired by those agreements, not via the ICT Services Scheme.

View whole-of-government contracts on the ICT and digital goods page.

Can I procure software from an authorised reseller or distributor of software licences?

Yes. Licensed software, subscription and support services from authorised resellers and distributors are covered by Category M09: Software Resellers and Software Asset Management Services.

How is the supply of software under Category N different to supplying software under the other categories?

Category N is for the acquisition of perpetual software licences and related support. Software as a service and other ICT and software-related services are covered by other categories.

What does the ICT consulting commercial framework apply to?

The framework applies to all ICT consulting services engagements contracted under the ICT Services Scheme.

What is the definition of ICT consulting services?

The definition of ICT consulting services is where the output is report, advice, strategic plan or audit.

See ICT commercial framework summary PDF, 358.4 KB for more details.

Who oversees the ICT consulting commercial framework?

The ICT and Digital Sourcing team at the Department of Customer Service oversees compliance, manages breaches, reviews suppliers, collects feedback, among others.

What is the total contract value? How is it calculated?

Please see the suppliers selection section in the ICT Services Scheme handbook for buyers PPTX, 11147.19 KB.

Which threshold should be used – the ICT commercial framework threshold or agencies’ own thresholds?

For engagements up to $250,000 (excluding GST), agencies can conduct direct negotiations and engage suppliers who accept the framework directly, without having to obtain 3 quotes from the market.

The ICT commercial framework threshold does not overwrite agencies' thresholds.

Which threshold should be used for supplier selection?

The ICT commercial framework applies to tender (resource rates, disbursements, discount structure and resource mix) and supplier reporting.

The ICT commercial framework threshold does not impact vendor selection thresholds:

• use the registered supplier list for engagements up to $150,000
• use the advanced supplier list for engagements over $150,000.

If the engagement includes a mix of ICT consulting and other services, do the framework rates apply to all components of the project or just ICT consulting tasks?

The framework capped rates apply only to ICT consulting components.

A registered supplier can enter into low-risk contracts valued up to $150,000 (excluding GST).

1. Log in with your supplier account. If you don’t have one yet, you can sign up now.
2. Start an application to join the scheme. You’ll need to answer questions and upload required documents.
3. Agree to simplified terms and conditions.
4. Provide evidence of work experience.
5. Submit your application.

An advanced supplier can enter into high-risk contracts valued over $150,000 (excluding GST).

1. Log in with your supplier account. If you don’t have one yet, you can sign up now.
2. Start an application to join the scheme. You’ll need to answer questions and upload required documents.
3. Agree to ICT Purchasing Framework terms and conditions.
4. Provide evidence of work experience and referees.
5. Submit your application.

Applications for the advanced supplier list undergo a more rigorous assessment. This is because of the high value and risk profile of the services.

We'll contact referees to validate referee reports. We may also request credit reports.

What is the duration of the ICT Services Scheme?

The ICT Services Scheme is ongoing. It is reviewed periodically as needed by changing business needs.

Is the number of suppliers restricted on the ICT Services Scheme?

No. The scheme does not restrict the number of approved suppliers.

Why does the ICT Services Scheme have 2 supplier categories?

The ICT Services Scheme has a registered supplier list for low-risk procurements valued up to $150,000 (excluding GST) to assist in providing opportunities for smaller enterprises.

The registered supplier list has lower acceptance requirements for inclusion onto the ICT Services Scheme and suppliers on this list may enter into contracts using simplified terms and conditions with lower insurances, to reduce the cost of doing business with government.

The advanced registered suppliers list has a higher level of acceptance requirements given suppliers on this list can be engaged in high-risk procurements and procurements above $150,000 (excluding GST).

Which contract should I use?

NSW Government agencies have to use the ICT Purchasing framework when procuring ICT goods and services.

The framework comprises:

• Core& contracts for low-risk procurement up to $1 million (excluding GST)
• MICTA/ICTA contracting framework for high-risk procurement above $1 million (excluding GST).

Suppliers in the registered supplier list must use the Core& contracts for procurements only up to $150,000 (excluding GST) that are low risk.

Advanced registered suppliers who can be engaged for high-risk procurements (regardless of value) and procurements valued over $150,000 (excluding GST) must use either MICTA/ICTA contracting framework or Core& contracts depending on the level of risk and value of the contract.

If I am an advanced registered supplier and I want to subcontract a portion of the work, do I have to use a sub-contractor on the ICT Services Scheme?

No. You can source any sub-contractors and they do not have to be approved suppliers on the ICT Services Scheme.

As the primary contractor, you are responsible for the performance of your sub-contractors.

Clause 5 of the Core& contracts and clause 11.5 of the ICT Agreement (ICTA) set out the conditions of consent required before subcontracting work.

What is the EPP Direction and how does it affect me as a supplier?

Procurement Board Direction PBD-2019-05 Enforceable Procurement Provisions (EPP Direction) establishes requirements for NSW Government agencies arising from international procurement agreements for covered procurements. Currently, this includes ICT-related goods and services with an estimated value of at least $680,000). In accordance with Part 6 of the EPP Direction, the ICT Services Scheme is a procurement list.

When procuring from the ICT Services Scheme, if the procurement has an estimated value of at least $680,000, NSW Government agencies are able to invite a limited number of suppliers registered on the ICT Services Scheme.

This is in accordance with section 25(3)(j) of the EPP Direction, clause 14 of the ICT Services Scheme Rules and PBD 2020-05 Approved procurement arrangements for the ICT Services Scheme.

If you as a supplier are dissatisfied or have a concern with how a NSW Government agency conducted a procurement via the ICT Services Scheme, your first point of contact should be the relevant NSW Government agency.

For any information relating to the ICT Services Scheme, please contact ictservices@customerservice.nsw.gov.au

Is annual turnover an acceptance criterion?

No. It is requested for informational purposes but does not form part of the acceptance criteria for admission to the ICT Services Scheme.

Might I be approved for some (and not all) of the categories or sub-categories for which I applied?

You'll only be refused acceptance for a nominated category if you do not meet the acceptance criteria for that category.

Is the pricing schedule assessed?

No. The pricing schedule provided by each supplier is used as a guide for agencies to estimate cost.

The pricing schedule contains ceiling prices. They are the maximum price suppliers may charge.

It is anticipated that suppliers will offer reduced pricing as part of a competitive request for quotation (RFQ) process and through negotiation.

What are the requirements for the referee reports for advanced registration supplier list? Do they have to be signed by the referee?

Registration for the advanced registration supplier list requires submission of referee reports because contracts may be high risk or valued over $150,000 (excluding GST).

A referee report may cover multiple categories. By providing 2 referee reports for a high-level category, suppliers can nominate any or all of the sub-categories.

Referee reports are verified by directly contacting referees.

Please note that the referee reports:

• do not have to be on letterhead, but must include all the required information
• do not have to be signed by the referee
• may state the price range instead of an exact price (for example, less than $200,000, between $150,000 to $250,000)
• may be from any organisation – government or non-government
• may cover work done or goods provided to non-government organisations
• may be for goods or services valued less than $500,000
• may be a written reference provided for a previous tender, but the information must be substantially similar to that requested on the template.

Can companies from overseas apply for inclusion on the scheme?

Yes, if they have an Australian Business Number (ABN).

To find out how to get an ABN, please visit Australian Business Register.

What are the requirements for the credit report to demonstrate solvency?

In most cases, Australian Business Number or the Australian Registered Body Number will be used for automated solvency checks.

A credit report may be requested to provide evidence of financial solvency, because suppliers may supply high-value or high-risk contracts.

Can I reapply if my application is not successful?

Yes. Unsuccessful applications are subject to the rules outlined in the ICT Services Scheme Rules DOCX, 88.53 KB.

Does being accepted onto the ICT Services Scheme mean guaranteed work?

There is no guarantee of work.

The ICT Services Scheme gives suppliers the opportunity to offer goods and services to NSW Government agencies.

Agencies will invite and assess supplier proposals as part of the quotation process and decide on the most appropriate supplier or suppliers depending on their individual requirements.

Agencies may use their own discretion as to which suppliers are invited to submit proposals.

How will customers contact me?

NSW Government agencies and other eligible customers can contact suppliers directly, or invite and assess supplier proposals using eTendering or their agency's own procurement system.

Are there any guidelines on how agencies should use the ICT Services Scheme?

Yes. Please refer to the handbook for buyers PPTX, 11147.19 KB.

We encourage you to familiarise yourself with these guidelines.

A NSW Government agency wants to engage my company for ICT services, but I am not an approved supplier on the ICT Services Scheme. Can the agency still engage us?

NSW Government agencies must use the ICT Services Scheme when procuring ICT goods and services.

Under the ICT Services Scheme, only approved registered or advanced registered suppliers can be engaged by agencies and customers.

If you wish to provide ICT services for an agency, you should apply to join the ICT Services Scheme.

What are the arrangements for selling hardware to NSW Government?

NSW Government agencies must use the below contracts:

• ICT End User Devices and Services Contract
• Imaging Devices Contract

Devices and services that are available through these whole-of-government contracts are excluded from the ICT Services Scheme.

Is disposal of hardware included in the scope of the ICT Services Scheme?

No. Disposal of hardware and other end user services (such as asset tagging, pre-delivery configuration, pre-delivery imaging, basic installation, extended installation, sanitisation services and decommission services) are available through the ICT End User Devices and Services Contract.

Is software included in the scope of the ICT Services Scheme?

Yes, under Category N.

I am already prequalified on the ICT Services Scheme. How can I apply for Category N – software licences?

Yes. You can apply for more categories at any time by re-applying to the scheme.

Requests for changes to categories are subject to the same acceptance requirements, as outlined in clause 6 of the ICT Services Scheme Rules DOCX, 88.53 KB.

Can approved software suppliers on whole-of-government Contracts 607 and 2601 apply for Category N under the ICT Services Scheme?

No. Software available through whole-of-government contracts such as Oracle Contract and SAP ERP Contract, must be sold via those agreements, not the ICT Services Scheme.

Can I apply to the ICT Services Scheme if I am an authorised reseller or distributor of software licences?

Yes, licensed software and subscription and support services from authorised resellers and distributors are covered by the ICT Services Scheme under Category M09: Software resellers and software asset management services.

How is the supply of software under Category N different to supplying software under the other categories?

Category N is for the acquisition of perpetual software licences and related support. Software as a service and other ICT and software-related services are covered by other categories.

If I am capable of supplying only a component of a particular software subcategory, then can I still apply?

Yes.

If I am an Original Equipment Manager (OEM) do I need to register on the ICT Services Scheme?

Yes, only in circumstances where you intend to take orders directly.

If you conduct your business through your distribution channel then you will not have to register, provided they are registered on the ICT Services Scheme.

I was previously listed as an approved party or approved agent for an OEM on a panel contract. What do I need to do to supply to NSW Government agencies?

If you intend to supply directly to NSW Government and the goods and services you are supplying are now covered by the ICT Services Scheme, you need to ensure that you are registered and pre-qualified for the relevant categories on the ICT Services Scheme.