12 May 2009 - The Singapore Government plans to invest S$1.73 billion worth of new infocomm tenders in Financial Year 2009. This will further increase infocomm adoption in the public sector to better meet the growing expectations of businesses and citizens in an ever-changing infocomm landscape.
Singapore, 12 May 2009 | For Immediate Release
Projected S$1.73 Billion Worth of Public Sector Infocomm Tenders in FY09
The Singapore Government plans to invest S$1.73 billion worth of new infocomm tenders in Financial Year (FY) 20091. This will further increase infocomm adoption in the public sector to better meet the growing expectations of businesses and citizens in an ever-changing infocomm landscape.
This announcement was made today by RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) at the annual Industry Briefing on Business Opportunities for Infocomm in the Public Sector. Attended by more than 700 participants, the annual briefing provides infocomm businesses with an early indication of government procurement plans which allows them to better respond to government tenders.
In spite of the economic downturn, infocomm investment by the Government remains high, as it remains an important part of the government’s ability to deliver quality public service. In FY08, the Government awarded a total of $1.6 billion worth of infocomm projects. Some of these projects include the Next Generation National Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) NetCo by IDA, the provision of Integrated IT Support Services for Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), and Contact Centre Services for the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
The infocomm industry has benefited from the Government’s continual investment in infocomm, where local companies were awarded a total of 67% of infocomm contracts, while multi-national companies garnered 33%. This trend has been consistent in the last four years.
The Government will continue to work with the industry to find new and innovative ways to use infocomm technology to improve the delivery of government services, strengthen infocomm infrastructure as well as encourage citizens and businesses to adopt an infocomm-enabled lifestyle. “We look forward to more opportunities for partnership with industry, which serves to encourage sophisticated demand for infocomm, spur the development of innovative services and knowledge capital and strengthen Singapore as an economic hub,” said RADM(NS) Tay.
New Infocomm Projects in FY09
In FY09, the Government plans to invest about S$1.73 billion in more than 392 new infocomm projects. Some of these projects are Calls-for-Collaboration issued by IDA, and these include an invitation to companies to form consortia and integrate their key IT systems, business processes and data through TradeXchange so as to achieve greater business efficiency; the deployment of contactless point-of-sale terminals to promote e-payment adoption via Near Field Communication technology; and the development and deployment of mobile commerce applications, location-based services and innovative mobile services for the Digital Concierge programme.
Other key projects by other government agencies include the Standard ICT Operating Environment for Schools (SOE Schools) by the Ministry of Education; the Content and Documentation Management System by DSTA; and the BorderWatch System by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
MINDEF presented a few key projects which will enhance its operational efficiency and defence management capabilities. Besides the SAF's Automated Fuel Dispensing System, which aims to enhance its vehicle fuel dispensing needs through Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) technology, its Knowledge Management System (KMS) seeks to deliver and build a more user-centric knowledge-sharing environment within MINDEF. Supporting the KMS are initiatives such as the content digitisation project, which digitises content for easy archival and accessibility, and the Enterprise Digital Rights Management project, which allows for better control over the security of digitised content.
One key infocomm investment that DSTA presented at the event was the next-generation Content and Documentation Management System. The project will review viable technical options and involve acquisition of hardware and software and engagement of professional services. Other projects include the implementation of an alternate disaster recovery site for several DSTA infocomm systems; a Resource and Competency Management System for human capital; a system for streamlining approval workflows; a study to examine the migration implications of existing and future applications from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows 7; and wireless infrastructure enhancement.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has completed consultations with schools and tenderers of the pre-qualification exercise for the Standard ICT Operating Environment (SOE) for Schools, or SOE (Schools). It is expected to call the final tender in June this year. SOE (Schools) aims to consolidate the provision and management of desktops, messaging and network environment, as well as ICT support for schools. It will provide an enhanced ICT infrastructure to support MOE's 3rd ICT Masterplan, mp3.
The two key projects which MHA plans to implement are BorderWatch System for Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Fire Safety Online Processing System II (FISOPS II) for the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The BorderWatch System is an intelligence management system that enhances ICA's data mining, data analysis and targeting capabilities, and provides real time information support to checkpoints. FISOPS II is a key SCDF system for the processing of all Fire Safety and Shelter related matters, with new capabilities to process on-line 3D building plan submissions from the Building Control Authority (BCA) on-line portal.
MOM plans to call a tender for IT Infrastructure and Application Systems Outsourcing later in 2009, to provide comprehensive maintenance and support services for MOM's IT infrastructure and application systems. The project also includes plans to migrate and redesign the MOM website, which includes the provision of hosting, maintenance and support services.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Note to Editor:
1 Financial Year 2009 is from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.
Related Link
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more information, visit www.imda.gov.sg.
For media clarification, please contact:
| Contact Persons | |
|---|---|
| Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore: Howard Lee (Mr) Manager Corporate & Marketing Communication Tel: +65 6211 0225 Fax: +65 6211 2226 Email: howard_lee@imda.gov.sg |
Jennifer Toh (Ms) Assistant Director Corporate & Marketing Communication Tel: +65 6211 0508 Fax: +65 6211 2226 Email: jennifer_toh@imda.gov.sg |
Defence Science & Technology Agency:
Yvonne Low (Ms)
Senior Manager
Corporate Communications
Tel: +65 6879 5087
Email: lsiewyoo@dsta.gov.sg
Ministry of Defence:
Surin Kaur (Ms)
Media Planner
MINDEF Public Affairs
Tel: +65 9784 4702
Email: surin_kaur@mindef.gov.sg
Ministry of Education:
Amy Choo (Ms)
Corporate Communications Executive
Corporate Communications Division
Tel: +65 6879 6119
Fax: +65 6775 0276
Email: amy_choo@moe.gov.sg
Ministry of Home Affairs:
Danny Tan (Mr)
Communications Executive
International and Corporate Relations Division
Tel: +65 6478 5600
Email: danny_tan@mha.gov.sg
Ministry of Manpower:
Gina Chin (Ms)
Manager
Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +65 6317 1658
Fax: +65 6534 4840
Email: gina_chin@mom.gov.sg
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