Full description
The Office of Government Procurement was a division of the Department of Commerce which incorporated the functions of the former departments of Industrial Relations, Fair Trading, Public Works and Services and the Office of Information Technology from 2 April 2003. (1) The Office's role was to simplify procurement for suppliers and government buyers, and to reduce the cost of conducting government business. It provided a range of services across government that were related to the purchase of goods and services, including construction. (2)
Key roles included:
Government Procurement Management - a national centre of expertise in tendering, contracting and contract dispute resolution. It developed risk management standards, procedures and guidelines for government agencies procuring both construction-related services and goods and services in general; monitored probity and value-for-money for construction tenders; and provided administration support for the State Contracts Control Board
State Procurement (formerly NSW Supply) included contract management, facilities management, online procurement and smartbuy (TM)
government advertising and information
fleet leasing and management through StateFleet
client advisory services including management consulting and procurement advice. (3)
In 2004/2005 the Office of Government Procurement changed its name to NSW Procurement. (4)
In November 2004 the Department of Commerce was restructured and the new position of Government Chief Information Officer was established. The Government Chief Information Office, which forms part of NSW Procurement, is responsible for developing government-wide information and communications technology strategies in collaboration and in partnership with agencies. (5)
NSW Procurement provides a range of services for government agencies. It develops efficient and effective processes and procedures for the management and/or procurement of the NSW Government's assets, information and communications technology, goods and services that deliver value, minimise costs and manage risk across the government.
Its key services include:
designing and delivery of efficient and effective procurement systems, supplier management systems, contract dispute management, risk management standards and procurement guidelines including standard forms of contract templates, tools and user guides that manage risk allocation & policy compliance
providing expert guidance to government agencies on procurement of construction works, goods and services and information and communications technology
facilitating Gateway Reviews of major projects to minimise procurement risk and cost
establishing and administering whole of government goods and services standing offer contracts and client specific period contracts
designing and delivery of online procurement tools, solutions and services (including smartbuy® and eTendering)
providing government advertising, publishing and information services
developing strategies and plans for information and communications technology and delivers key information and communications technology infrastructure across the NSW Government (including State Broadband service, Government Radio Network and NSW Government web-portal) through the Government Chief Information Office
providing administration support for the State Contracts Control Board (SCCB) and Construction Agency Coordination Committee (CACC). (6)
From 1 November 2006 the State Records Authority of New South Wales became a business unit of the Department of Commerce under NSW Procurement. (7) From 10 December 2007 the State Records Authority of New South Wales was aligned with the Government Chief Information Office and ceased to be part of NSW Procurement. (8)
From 1 July 2009 when the Department of Commerce was abolished NSW Procurement became a branch of the new Principal Department, the Department of Services, Technology and Administration. (9)
From 4 April 2011 when the name of the Department of Services, Technology and Administration was changed NSW Procurement became a branch of the Department of Finance and Services. (10)
Endnotes
1. NSW Government Gazette, 2 April 2003, p.4331.
2. NSW Department of Commerce, Annual Report, 2002/03, p.7 and NSW Department of Commerce website http://www.commerce.nsw.gov.au/About+Commerce/About+Commerce.htm (accessed 11 December 2003).
3. NSW Department of Commerce website http://www.commerce.nsw.gov.au/Government+Procurement/Government+Procurement.htm (accessed 11 December 2003).
4. NSW Department of Commerce Annual Report, 2004/05, p.10.
5. Ibid.
6. Department of Commerce website http://www.commerce.nsw.gov.au/Government+Procurement/Government+Procurement.htm (accessed 3 January 2007).
7. NSW Government Gazette, No. 127, 27 October 2006, p.8903 and NSW Department of Commerce, Communique, September-December 2006, p.6.
8. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Annual Report, 2007-2008, p.75.
9. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departmental Amalgamations) Order 2009 (2009 No 352) cls. 28; notified on NSW Legislation website, 27 July 2009.
10. Public Sector Employment and Management (Departments) Order 2011 (2011 No 184) cls. 29; notified on NSW Legislation website, 3 April 2011.
User Contributed Tags
Login to tag this record with meaningful keywords to make it easier to discover