ICT Spend Management Panel

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Date: 5 Nov 2024 - 4 Nov 2027
Updated: 6 Dec 2024
Managed: Digital NSW Contact owner
Type: Whole of government
Contract Number: 23616
A panel contract offering ICT spend management systems, software, professional services, and managed services.

What's covered

The ICT Spend Management Panel (Contract 23616) is a panel contract built using the NSW Government ICT Purchasing Framework. It allows NSW Government agencies to procure spend management systems, software, associated professional services and managed services (outsourced ICT spend management).

The panel covers three panel modules and suppliers are approved to offer one or more modules based on their capabilities:

Includes systems to help manage and optimise ICT spend in specific categories. Options range from commercial off-the-shelf solutions that can be bought outright, complete with essential support services, to 'as-a-service' models that allow the customer to pay based on usage.

Offers professional service packages to support a customer’s ICT spend management activities.

Provides outsourced ICT spend management services, either partially or fully, with the supplier taking responsibility for achieving ICT spend management deliverables.

Suppliers on the ICT Spend Management Panel have undergone an evaluation process for risk and capabilities and are approved to offer systems/software and services for the panel modules they are enrolled in.

What's not covered

The ICT Spend Management Panel does not cover:

  • ICT infrastructure like hardware, unless it is procured with in-scope systems or professional services
  • consultancy services
  • contingent labour hire.

For these needs, please refer to:

What you need to know

All suppliers on the ICT Spend Management panel are required to be prequalified on the ICT Services Scheme.

They have been through a thorough evaluation process to be admitted to the panel as part of an Open Market Tender process (RFT DICT/23616).

Panel suppliers can provide services under one or more panel modules based on their capabilities.

The contractual framework is built using the NSW Government ICT Purchasing Framework and follows the Master ICT Agreement/ICT Agreement (MICTA/ICTA) standards.

The standard MICTA & ICTA have been enhanced through additional conditions to better enable the contract authority to manage the panel, including to simplify the process for updating supplier offerings and pricing.

The additional conditions under the ICTA include:

  • an  enhanced process for placing additional orders under an ICTA, allowing customers with existing contracts to order any goods and services within a MICTA scope rather than goods or services within the scope of the customer’s initial order
  • approval for agents to act on a supplier’s behalf
  • mitigation of risks associated with using Artificial Intelligence
  • risk mitigation for critical infrastructure.

Why use this contract

Key benefits

The ICT SMP offers several benefits for customers including:

  • financial benefits, reduce costs and cost avoidance
  • faster, streamlined procurement of spend management services and capabilities
  • increase transparency and visibility of ICT spend
  • facilitation of Government’s social procurement agenda with indigenous providers and Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  • reduced risk as panel suppliers have been admitted or approved following an evaluation process.

Who to contact

The panel is managed by the ICT/Digital Sourcing (ICTDS) team within the Department of Customer Service. ICTDS act as the contract authority’s representative and provide:

  • support to eligible customers including for the establishment of customer contracts
  • govern and manage the performance of panel suppliers
  • manage panel refreshes to ensure the scope remains relevant and pricing remains of good value.

For more information or advice, please email: ictsmpanel@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.

Approved suppliers

Who's eligible to buy

All NSW Government agencies are eligible

This means that all NSW Government agencies can use this contract when buying ICT spend management systems/software, associated professional services and managed services (outsourced ICT spend management).

Non-agency buyers may also be eligible

You don’t have to be an NSW Government agency to buy under NSW Government contracts, panels and contracts.

But you do have to apply to become an eligible non-agency buyer. Once approved, you'll get an authorised buyer identification number (NSWBuy number). Use this number to buy through NSW Government schemes and contracts.

How to buy: step by step

Step 1: Identify your requirements

Start by determining your ICT Spend Management requirements and assess if these requirements can be met by the goods or services covered under one or more of the panel modules.

Step 2: Review the digital service catalogue and list of suppliers

You should review the digital service catalogue, list of suppliers and other available documentation from the ICT Digital Sourcing Portal to determine which suppliers may best meet your ICT spend management requirements.

To request access to the service catalogue, please fill out the ICT/Digital Sourcing Portal Access Request form.

To be granted access, you must agree to keep information on the portal confidential.

The ICT SMP does not preclude NSW Government agencies from exercising due diligence when procuring services.

Step 3: Issue an order proposal to one or more ICT SM Panel suppliers

Select supplier(s) to invite to quote based on matching your requirements to the service categories, for which they’re empanelled.

The number of quotes required will depend on the eligible customer’s own procurement rules and the Procurement Policy Framework (such as PBD-2021-04).

The order proposal includes a draft form of the relevant ICTA order form (including, if applicable, the statement of work).

The order proposal will form part of an RFX (being a request for quotation or proposal) issued by the eligible customer.

Step 4: Evaluate supplier responses

The supplier(s) will respond to the order proposal by submitting a draft order to the eligible customer.

On receipt of the draft order, the eligible customer will evaluate all responses to the RFX.

Once the evaluation has been completed, the eligible customer following the process and timeframes outlined in the specific RFX may decide to:

  • reject the draft order
  • accept the draft order by issuing an ‘order’ in the form of Annexure E of the MICTA or
  • request amendments to the draft order.

Note: Annexure E includes the ICTA order form (attachment 1 to order) and (if applicable) additional service levels (attachment 2 to order).

Step 5: Execute the contract

Once the order is accepted, both parties will sign the order and a contract will be formed.

The contract will follow the ICTA terms and conditions and include the relevant modules and schedules that apply to the order.

How to provide feedback on supplier performance

If you have feedback about supplier performance, please email ictsmpanel@customerservice.nsw.gov.au

How to manage complaints and disputes

If a complaint or dispute occurs, both the buyer and the supplier must first seek resolution at the agency level.

You can view general information that may help you prepare for and manage complaints and disputes:

Resources for buyers

Resources for suppliers

Access to contract resources

More resources for buyers like contract templates, guides and product and services catalogue are available at the ICT DS Portal.

To request access, submit the ICT/Digital Sourcing Portal Access Request form.

Alternatively, you can email ictdsportal@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.