Premier & Cabinet

Type:
Department of Premier and Cabinet Circular
Identifier:
C1995-01
Status:
Archived

C1995-01 Policy Directive on the Acquisition of Corporate Application Systems (Government Selected Application Systems: GSAS)

Detailed Outline

BACKGROUND:

A core strategy within the service-wide IT Blueprint published in 1992 by OPM is to "Establish a list of preferred package vendors for corporate applications, and require agencies to select from this list". The objective of establishing this list has been to simplify the selection process of appropriate solutions at the agency level and leverage from their implementation experience. Cost savings are also anticipated through economies of scale arising from panel contracts.

Given the variety of platforms that exist within the public sector environment, a small range of preferred vendors will be selected for each major corporate application. The use of a single solution for each core corporate application for NEW agencies has been viewed as impractical, as such an approach does not address the diversity in scale and functionality of the applications required by agencies.

The first corporate application to become part of the GSAS is in the Human Resources Management area. Following a comprehensive requirements definition and selection process the following applications have been included in the GSAS contract:

Platform Vendor/ Package

POLICY:

With effect from 1 February 1995, it will be mandatory for all agencies that require a replacement, or major upgrade, of a corporate system to utilise the GSAS panel contract, provided that an appropriate category exists.

It is recognised that there will be special circumstances when it may be necessary for an agency to select an application from outside the established list of package vendors. Prior to proceeding with such an acquisition, an agency will be required to fully justify its decision and obtain OPM's concurrence.

The existence of an appropriate category within GSAS does not diminish the responsibility of an agency to follow an appropriate acquisition approach as defined in the Statement of Best Practice series published by the Office of Public Management. Additionally, if Capital funding is required, the normal process of bidding for such funds still applies.

How to Use GSAS

The GSAS is managed by the Information Technology Service of the Commercial Services Group. The following high level approach should be followed for each acquisition from the GSAS panel contract.

  • Develop a business case for the proposed acquisition of the target corporate application (refer to Statement of Best Practice #5) and obtain appropriate funding and/or approval.
  • Develop a business function requirement specification taking into account any agency unique requirements and its target technical architecture.
  • Seek advice from the ITS regarding the availability of packages under GSAS to meet the business function requirements.
  • In conjunction with ITS negotiate with the appropriate GSAS supplier to provide the package required including a fixed price on any modifications required. (The implementation of the package is beyond the scope of the GSAS contract and will need to be the subject of a separate contract.)

Enquiries

Any enquiries concerning the purchase of packages through the GSAS should be directed to

Information Technology Services
Commercial Services Group
1 Francis St
Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Telephone (02) 339 7675 Fax (02) 332 2640

Enquiries concerning exemptions from GSAS or the GSAS policy should be directed to

The Director, Information Technology
Office of Public Management
Premier's Department
Level 7 State Office Block
74 - 90 Phillip St
Sydney 2000
Telephone (02) 228 4870 Fax (02) 228 3277

Director-General

Overview

Compliance

Not Mandatory

AR Details

Date Issued
Jan 13, 1995
Review Date
Jun 13, 2024
Replaces
Replaced By

Contacts

Contact
Contact us
Phone
02 9228 5555
Publishing Entity
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Issuing Entity
Department of Premier and Cabinet