PBD-2026-01 Approved procurement arrangements for the ICT Services Scheme
This board direction defines approved arrangements for NSW Government agencies for the procurement of ICT related goods and services using the mandatory ICT Services Scheme. This includes:
Issued: 1 April 2026 by NSW Procurement Board
Key information
- Status
- Active
- Type
- NSW Procurement Board Direction
- Identifier
- PBD-2026-01
- Compliance
- Mandatory
Who needs to know and/or comply with this?
- Advisory Entities (including Boards and Committees)
- Departments
- Executive agencies related to Departments
- Separate agencies
- Statutory Authorities/Bodies
About
This board direction defines approved arrangements for NSW Government agencies for the procurement of ICT related goods and services using the mandatory ICT Services Scheme. This includes:
- Specifying mandatory thresholds and processes for the procurement of ICT related goods and services (except for ICT consultancy services).
- Specifying mandatory thresholds and processes for the engagement of ICT consultancy services, including additional conditions and governance arrangements when engaging ICT consultancy services that do not comply with the ICT Consulting Commercial Framework.
Detailed Outline
This Direction applies to the procurement of ICT related goods and services by a government agency within the meaning of the Public Works and Procurement Act 1912. Unless specified otherwise, values are exclusive of GST.
Thresholds for the procurement of ICT related goods and services via the ICT Services Scheme
1. When procuring ICT related goods and services (except for ICT consultancy services) agencies must follow the below process
| NSW Government | Value | Process |
| Accredited NSW Government Agencies | In accordance with the agency’s terms of accreditation. | An agency that is accredited under the NSW Procurement Board’s Accreditation Program may set up procurement threshold(s) for ICT related goods and services consistent with its terms of accreditation. This process must be in accordance with PBD-2019-05 Enforceable Procurement Provisions. If internal policies are silent, the below process will apply |
| Unaccredited NSW Government Agencies | Up to $250,000 | Obtain minimum one (1) written quote. |
| Higher than $250,000 but the value does not exceed the relevant threshold specified in the PBD-2019-05 Enforceable Procurement Provisions. | Obtain minimum three (3) written quotes. | |
| The value is or exceeds the relevant threshold in the PBD-2019-05-Enforceable Procurement Provisions. | RFQ Process (minimum three 3 written quotes) and Supplier selection must be based on the criteria for selecting a limited number of suppliers specified in the ICT Services Scheme Rules. Agencies are required to seek endorsement from an accredited agency within the cluster or follow the process in their internal financial delegations. |
2. In addition to compliance with any other relevant and mandated Procurement Board Directions and circulars, regardless of their level of accreditation, agencies must follow the below process:
| ICT/Digital solution | Value | Process (for both Accredited & Unaccredited Agencies unless stated otherwise) |
ICT Consultancy (ICT Consulting Commercial Framework applies to all ICT consultancy services engagements) | $250,000 or less (ex GST) | Obtain minimum one (1) written quote and ensure compliance with the ICT Consulting Commercial Framework, when procuring ICT consultancy services from SCM0020. |
| Over $250,000 (ex GST) | Follow the above relevant process in Table 1 above and ensure compliance with the ICT Consulting Commercial Framework when procuring ICT consultancy services over $250,000 from SCM0020. |
Regardless of their level of accreditation or the value of the engagement for ICT consultancy services, agencies must comply with the requirements established in PBD-2025-02 Engagement of professional services suppliers. This includes that agencies must consider the requirements of the Core NSW Public Service Work Policy, which outlines the types of work that must be done by government sector employees and the types of work that should be done by government sector employees, some of which must not be done by external consultants. Agencies should consider whether the relevant expertise and advice can be sourced within government, for example, via the NSW Government’s Expert Advisory Network before procuring from the external market.
Conditions and governance arrangements for engagements not compliant with the ICT Consulting Commercial Framework
Where a supplier:
- has not accepted the ICT Consulting Commercial Framework (outside SCM0020 via an exemption), or
- has accepted the ICT Consulting Commercial Framework, but the proposal does not comply with the ICT Consulting Commercial Framework.
The following steps must be taken:
- In addition to agency-specific procurement delegation approval requirements, such engagements require Secretary (or Secretary’s delegate) approval, prior to any contract sign off with the supplier; and
- Agencies must keep a record of all engagements approved by the Secretary (or Secretary’s delegate) that do not comply with the ICT Consulting Commercial Framework.
Order Splitting
When procuring ICT related goods and services using the ICT Services Scheme, contract value or price:
- is unable to be split into lower-price components.
- must be the estimated total price over the term of the contract including any optional extension periods, renewals or other mechanisms that may be executed during the life of the contract and not a price per annum.
- must include all remuneration payable by the agency.