Defence is proceeding with the selective market testing of information technology and telecommunications and has established a branch to manage the process.

The Information Technology Market Testing (ITMT) Branch will ensure continued cost-effective support for the provision of IT&T services within the department, while achieving broader defence- and government-policy objectives.

Project co-ordinator Michaela Elder said market testing consisted of inviting industry and, potentially, in-house teams to bid to provide IT&T infrastructure services currently undertaken by defence.

"Other Commonwealth agencies that have already contracted out their IT&T services have indicated a number of benefits," she said.

"These include increased innovation in service delivery, efficiencies in the operations of IT&T services, increased access to international best practice and the skill sets required to ensure service delivery outcomes."

ITMT branch will examine all IT&T infrastructure services to determine critical issues that must be addressed to ensure a successful outcome.

This will determine the best way to approach the market and help determine the viability of an in-house option for any given current activity.

Ms Elder said the complexity of the activity made it difficult to provide fixed dates for outcomes but it was expected the scoping of current IT support activities would be finalised by the middle of this year.

"An invitation to register interest will be released to potential bidders at about the same time, with the completion of a request for tender expected by the end of 2001."

For further information contact Michaela Elder on (02) 62663108. By Cpl Jonathan Garland

DEFENCE is proceeding with the selective market testing of information technology and telecommunications and has established a branch to manage the process.

The Information Technology Market Testing (ITMT) Branch will ensure continued cost-effective support for the provision of IT&T services within the department, while achieving broader defence- and government-policy objectives.

Project co-ordinator Michaela Elder said market testing consisted of inviting industry and, potentially, in-house teams to bid to provide IT&T infrastructure services currently undertaken by defence.

"Other Commonwealth agencies that have already contracted out their IT&T services have indicated a number of benefits," she said.

"These include increased innovation in service delivery, efficiencies in the operations of IT&T services, increased access to international best practice and the skill sets required to ensure service delivery outcomes."

ITMT branch will examine all IT&T infrastructure services to determine critical issues that must be addressed to ensure a successful outcome.

This will determine the best way to approach the market and help determine the viability of an in-house option for any given current activity.

Ms Elder said the complexity of the activity made it difficult to provide fixed dates for outcomes but it was expected the scoping of current IT support activities would be finalised by the middle of this year.

"An invitation to register interest will be released to potential bidders at about the same time, with the completion of a request for tender expected by the end of 2001."

For further information contact Michaela Elder on (02) 62663108.

By Cpl Jonathan Garland