It has been just over a year since the ITS2573 ‘Operational Telecommunications Equipment, Infrastructure and Services Prequalification Scheme’ was optimised as part of the NSW Government’s procurement reforms.
Since the launch of ITS2573 in May 2013, it has generated over $3 million of savings for the NSW Government. Prior to this, the previous scheme contained just 26 vendors with a heavy focus on legacy technology and services. This has since grown to over 120 vendors, enabling competitive unified pricing to be established for major procurements.
Over the next 12 months, the Telco Authority will continue to work in partnership with industry and agencies to simplify access for NSW Government buyers and industry suppliers. This will result in further utilisation of ITS2573 to establish a number of sub-panels. These sub-panels will enable the Authority to introduce a standardised suite of equipment to be used on the network. It is expected that standardising network equipment will ultimately reduce the cost of support and maintenance of equipment for agencies and the NSW Government.
On 1 September 2014, a Treasury and Finance Circular was released detailing the Telco Authority’s development of the NSW Government Radio Communications Strategy. The strategy will set out the key operating models, principles and actions required to improve service delivery to frontline emergency and public safety workers, rationalise government radio communications assets and deliver value to the NSW Government from 2015 to 2025.
To ensure agency activities in the sector align with these goals, the Circular requires agencies to consult with the Telco Authority on all proposals for the development of new or additional radio communications infrastructure. The requirements in the Circular apply to all NSW Government agencies, with State-owned corporations encouraged to comply.
A set of Guidelines have been developed by the Authority to assist agencies with these new arrangements.
A draft of the 2013-14 Annual Report was presented to the Board for review and comment. The Board discussed the draft Annual Report, in particular, the Telco Authority’s financial performance and project highlights over the past financial year. The Annual Report will be provided to the Minister for Finance and Services prior to being tabled in Parliament. Following tabling by the Minister in Parliament, the final 2013-14 Annual Report will be published on the Telco Authority website.
Regards,
Rod Gilmour
Chairperson, NSW Telco Authority