National Broadband RFP deadline: a moveable feast

By Stuart Corner
Monday, 21 July 2008 14:30

Opinion and Analysis

He also revealed that he had written to the carriers in February "seeking the voluntary disclosure of network information...[and] all carriers either have or are working towards providing this information in a timely manner and I welcome this cooperative approach." All very well, but if that information was not to hand when the RFP was issued on 11 April then why on earth set a 25 July deadline. Or even issue the RFP in the first place?

It is now quite clear from the latest developments that the government had given very little thought to what was actually involved in specifying what network information was needed, in what form it should be presented and how it should be safeguarded.

It has now released these essential prerequisites,   albeit only in draft form and just one week before the original closing date for the RFP! It is maintaining its 12 week window and now estimates that the closing date will be late 2008.

Announcing this second demonstration of let's-make-it-up-as-we-go-along, Conroy said: "the scope of network information to be provided has been prepared following consultation with proponents, as well as advice from our specialist expert advisers and relevant Government agencies. Based on this independent expert advice, the Government is of the view that the information set proposed is sufficient for the preparation of robust proposals."
He added: "The seriousness with which we have approached this task demonstrates our commitment to a genuinely competitive process for the NBN." Seriousness? Ineptitude more like.
CONTINUED