Purchaser/provider arrangements
Purchaser Arrangements – DIMA and DFAT Memorandum of Understanding
We have a purchaser arrangement with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the provision of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services at overseas posts.
Responsibility
The Information and Communication Technology Memorandum of Understanding (ICT MOU) is an agreement between our two agencies whereby DFAT facilitates communications and business processing by our overseas posts. This ICT MOU continues a cooperative arrangement that has been in place since 1997.
Control arrangements
The ICT MOU covers the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2007 and spells out cost recovery arrangements for the term of the agreement. The MOU also details the services covered by the agreement including SATIN Low, SATIN High, PABX services, Internet access, and telecommunication services. Efficiencies are gained by bringing these services under one arrangement, through clarity of scope of work, certainty of terms and conditions, and improved administration.
Resourcing
An agreed fee is charged for these
services.
In 2005-06 the fee we paid to DFAT under the ICT MOU totalled $4 792 600
(inclusive of GST) plus the fee paid by posts on a per-user basis for Internet
access to SATIN.
Performance against outcomes and outputs
The ICT MOU reflects the government’s requirement for DFAT to take the lead agency role where agencies require services at overseas posts. It helps deliver on our outcomes by contributing to the efficient delivery of ICT services at overseas posts.
Provider Arrangements – Cluster 3 Contract Management
We obtain our IT and telecommunications services as part of Cluster 3 (the Cluster was formed under a government directive requiring agencies to outsource IT and telecommunication infrastructure by grouping together in clusters). IT services are provided by Computer Science Corporation Australia Pty Ltd (CSC). Telecommunications services are provided by Optus Networks Pty Ltd. Our Cluster Support Unit (CSU) provides a coordination function for the cluster contract management.
The contract with Optus is in place until 30 June 2008. The CSC contract is in place until 30 June 2007, although we and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) have extended this contract for a further period for limited services only.
The services received by each of the cluster agencies are set out below:
- DIMA (CSC and Optus)
- Australian Electoral Commission (CSC and Optus)
- Department of Finance and Administration Electorate Offices System (Optus)
- National Mapping Division Geoscience Australia (Optus)
- IP Australia (CSC and Optus)
- IPS Radio and Space Services (Optus).
Some agencies that were former Department of Finance bureau customers also receive services under the contracts.
Responsibility
The contracts are managed by the CSU which 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 about 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 the cluster contract management resources and funding. Agencies contribute towards the management and administrative costs on an agreed basis.
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 the cluster contract management.