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About the Department

DIMIA Annual Report 2004-05

Purchaser/provider arrangements

PROVIDER ARRANGEMENT-CLUSTER 3 CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

The department obtains its IT and telecommunications services as part of Cluster 3 (the Cluster). IT services are provided by Computer Science Corporation (CSC) Australia Pty Ltd. Telecommunications services are provided by Optus Networks Pty Ltd. The Cluster Support Unit (CSU) accommodated in the department provides a coordination function for the Cluster contract management. The contracts with CSC and Optus are in place until 30 June 2007. The services received by each of the Cluster agencies are set out below:

  • DIMIA (CSC and Optus)
  • Australian Electoral Commission (CSC and Optus)
  • Department of Finance and Administration Electorate Offices System (Optus)
  • Australian Government Analytical Laboratories-left the Cluster in January 2005 (Optus)
  • National Mapping Division Geoscience Australia (Optus)
  • IP Australia (CSC and Optus)
  • IPS Radio and Space Services (Optus).

Note: Some agencies which were former Department of Finance bureau customers also receive services under the contracts.

Responsibility

The contracts are managed by the CSU. The CSU is responsible for:

  • providing high-level support to the Cluster Management Committee
  • maintaining the integrity and currency of the service agreements through variations
  • meeting other contract management requirements, as requested by the Cluster Management Committee
  • providing agencies with ad-hoc advice regarding the Cluster's contracts.

Control arrangements

Cluster 3 agencies are parties to a MOU that establishes:

  • protocols of operation for dealing with the contractors
  • the Cluster 3 Management Committee
  • the CSU.

Resourcing

The MOU provides for Cluster contract management resources and funding. Agencies contribute towards the management and administrative costs on an agreed basis, commensurate with usage.

Performance against outcomes and outputs

The CSU contributes to Cluster agencies' and Australian Government objectives of IT and telecommunications infrastructure outsourcing by providing a central point of reference and coordination for Cluster contract management.

 

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