What is ICT?

The Queensland Government Enterprise Architecture (QGEA) defines ICT as:

ICT tendering opportunities

You can find Queensland Government tendering opportunities on the QTenders website.

Email us at ICTCMS@chde.qld.gov.au and we can:

• help match your capabilities as a supplier to government strategies
• help you connect with appropriate stakeholders, executives and the vendor management community as a whole
• provide an overview of contractual frameworks and whole-of-government ICT arrangements.

Early market engagement for the ICT industry

You can get involved in the Queensland Government's early market engagement activities so you can get ready to meet demand as government initiatives and policies change over time.

If you get involved, you can provide feedback on the possible effects of government policy changes on your business. This will help us to make sure our policies deliver the expected results.

Being involved in early market engagement for a specific project gives you a better understanding of agencies’ requirements. This can increase your chances of winning a tender when participating in the tender process.

Email ICTCMS@chde.qld.gov.au for more information.

The Queensland Government runs a small to medium enterprise (SME) participation scheme policy to help more SMEs supply ICT to government agencies.

We regard SMEs as businesses employing fewer than 200 people. This includes micro-businesses with less than 5 employees.

The ICT SME participation scheme policy* ensures:

• that priority is given to Queensland SMEs to supply to the government, increasing opportunities to contribute to the official Queensland SME Procurement target
• the Queensland Government can directly engage SMEs using the SME and Indigenous Access incentive to provide solutions worth up to $500,000 (including GST) that demonstrate value for Queensland in addressing government priorities.

Read the ICT SME participation scheme standard for more on the SME and Indigenous Access incentive.

*Note: All Queensland Government agencies must apply the ICT SME participation scheme policy when procuring ICT products and services.

Requirements for SMEs

You will need to participate in our assessment processes to supply ICT to the Queensland Government.

The process will depend on whether we approach the market informally by obtaining quotes or formally through a full tender process and Invitation to Offer (ITO).

Requirements for government

When we are approaching the market informally, we must demonstrate that we have undertaken a market assessment to identify appropriate SMEs by obtaining offers from at least one Queensland SME for new procurement opportunities up to a value of $250,000 (incl.GST) where practical.

Approaching the market formally

All formal tenders must include the relevant questions confirming supplier SME status in their Response Schedules.

During offer evaluation, we must allocate 10% of the 100% total evaluation criteria for the purpose of weighting Queensland SMEs vs non-Queensland SMEs.

If you are a Queensland SME, you receive the full 10% allocated.

If you aren't an SME or a Queensland SME, you receive 0%.

If you are a prime contractor engaging Queensland SME sub-contractors to deliver the work, you can receive a portion of the 10% weighting depending on their level of SME participation.

The weighting you receive is calculated on the net proportion of the contract which is to be paid to Queensland SMEs.

You can check whether the policy has been applied by asking the tendering agency 2 questions:

• Did you apply the SME participation scheme policy?
• What SME weighting did I receive?

Requirements for prime contractors

We audit prime contractors and can engage in a withholding process if SME participation requirements are not honoured.

Audit process

Under this policy, our contract managers must verify that the contracted payments have been made to Queensland SME suppliers. They will do this by:

• accepting the prime contractor's assertion of payment
• requesting proof of payment
• auditing the prime contractor's financial records.

If you subcontract to a larger vendor, at bid time, you will need to ensure that their response includes your contribution to the overall cost of the project.

Non-compliance will be reported to ICTCMS@chde.qld.gov.au.

Withholding process

Prime contractors who have not met their contracted Queensland SME participation levels may be subject to contracted liquidated damages by withholding a proportion of the final payment.

Contact us

Contact ICT Strategic Sourcing by emailing ICTCMS@chde.qld.gov.au.

Also consider...

• Read the ICT SME participation scheme policy and the standard that provides guidance for agencies on the scheme.
• Read the Procurement and disposal of ICT products and services policy – Information Standard 13, which Queensland Government agencies must comply with when buying ICT products and services.
• Learn more about the benefits for SMEs in the Queensland Procurement Policy.
• View our webinar on procurement for government contracts for information about the tendering process and how  to write  a competitive bid.

The Queensland Information Technology Contracting (QITC) framework will be used for any government purchasing of ICT products and services.

Released in August 2017 and co-designed by industry and government, it replaces the Government Information Technology Contracting (GITC) framework.

QITC provides a choice of 4 different contract types to reflect the risk and value of the ICT procurement:

• General contract
• Comprehensive contract
• Supplier's terms and conditions
• Bespoke contract.

Read about QITC to learn more about the framework, the main differences between QITC and GITC, and the work undertaken to co-design the QITC framework.

To simplify ICT procurement in Queensland and to reduce barriers to working with government, accreditation is no longer required for ICT procurement.

Government agencies will continue to carry out due diligence checks during the final stages of procurement selection.

QITC documents

The QITC framework consists of the following:

• The QITC user guide provides an overview of the 4 different contract types and advice for using the QITC framework.
• Standardised contract conditions for general and comprehensive contracts.
• Contract details for general and comprehensive contacts that both parties complete to form a contract.
• Modules 1–7 address particular transaction types and are for use with comprehensive contracts.
• Schedules 1–11 are optional documents and templates for use with the comprehensive contracts.
• Guidelines for using supplier terms and conditions, and additional guidance notes for using the framework.

View all QITC documents.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

If you have GITC accreditation or current GITC contracts, read the following FAQs:

I have GITC accreditation, what do I need to do to contract under the QITC framework?

You do not need to do anything. Your GITC number will remain valid and you will not be required to reference your GITC number when signing QITC contract documents.

Is there a head agreement to sign under the QITC framework and will I get a QITC number?

Under the QITC framework there is no head agreement to sign and there are no QITC numbers.

What happens to existing GITC contracts?

Existing GITC contracts that were current when the QITC framework commenced will remain in place for their duration unless otherwise terminated in accordance with their contract terms.

What happens to standing offer arrangements (SOAs) created under the GITC framework?

GITC SOAs will continue for their duration unless terminated in accordance with their provisions. Customers can continue to purchase under GITC SOAs for their duration and they can be extended until all extensions are exercised.

More information

• Phone: (07) 3640 4863
• Email: ICTCMS@chde.qld.gov.au

You can use our support services to improve your chances of winning government ICT tenders.

We can assist you to prepare for ICT tendering processes and to make sure your business is ready to supply to government.

We can help you demonstrate the benefits of emerging technologies and trends to Queensland Government agencies by facilitating meetings and events.

Contact us

Contact our industry engagement team on ICTCMS@chde.qld.gov.au or phone (07) 3640 4863.

They will facilitate your access to and interaction with the Queensland Government.

Contact a Departmental Vendor Manager directly.

Also consider...

• Find industry information for ICT businesses.

• Queensland Procurement Policy
  Learn about the Queensland Government procurement policy.
• Queensland Information Technology Contracting (QITC) Framework
  Learn more about the contractual framework for purchasing ICT products and services.
• ICT SME Participation Scheme Policy
  This policy aims to help small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) in the ICT industry gain greater access to the Queensland Government market.
• Partners in Technology (PIT)
  PIT briefing sessions give you information about the ICT procurement plans of various large government and non-government organisations. PIT events can help you understand and participate in major ICT purchasing processes occurring throughout the state.
• QTenders (Queensland Government)
  Find the most recent information about Queensland Government tendering opportunities.
• AusTender (Australian Government)
  The Australian Government publishes all business opportunities, annual procurement plans, multi-use lists and contracts on this website. It also provides tips for planning, preparing and submitting tenders and a comprehensive guide on selling to the Australian Government.
• Local Buy
  This website contains tendering opportunities with Queensland local governments, statutory bodies and other public sector entities.
• Whole-of-government contracts and panels
  The Queensland Government manages whole-of-government contracts and panel agreements with a range of suppliers to make it easy for agencies to buy ICT products and services.
• Departmental strategic plans
  Viewing the strategic plans of Queensland Government departments can help you understand departments' requirements, so you can better market your products and services.

Also consider...

• Learn more about tendering to government.