The Ministers released the outcome of the review of the Government Information Technology and Communications (GITC) Framework and a draft guide on capping liability for ICT contracts aimed at delivering on the Government's ICT election promises.

The GITC, established in 1991, is a set of terms and conditions that Australian Government agencies use to create contracts for ICT procurement.

The draft guide provides practical assistance to procurement officers on how to identify and manage risk in government ICT contracts, including sample clauses for ICT contracts,Ӕ Senator Coonan said.

Ultimately when the guide is finalised it will result in the capping of liability in the majority of Government contracts.Ӕ

In announcing the outcomes of the review of the GITC, Minister Abetz said more standardisation across Government contracts would be a benefit for all involved.

It makes no sense for government agencies to have completely different forms of contracts. Prices and supply will be different in each case but there is no justification for other conditions in contracts varying as much as they do.Ӕ

In particular, the review highlighted the scope for a series of model contracts to be developed that are tailored to the different elements of ICT procurement, such as hardware, software development and licensing (including open source software) or managed services,Ӕ said Minister Abetz.

These contracts will improve the way Australian Government agencies deal with changing technology and promote the take-up of innovative solutions.Ӕ

The GITC review process included consultation with industry and government agencies. There will be further consultation during the development of the model contracts, which are expected to be available for use by the end of May 2006.

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