Government Continues Infocomm Investment for Public Sector

The Infocomm industry can look forward to S$620 million worth of Infocomm tenders to be called by the Singapore Government in Financial Year (FY) 2006. This was revealed by Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) at the 2006 Industry Briefing 'Business Opportunities for IT in the Public Sector'.

Singapore, 25 April 2006 | For Immediate Release

S$620 Million Worth of Government Infocomm Tenders in FY06

The Infocomm industry can look forward to S$620 million worth of Infocomm tenders to be called by the Singapore Government in Financial Year (FY) 2006¹. This was revealed by Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) at the 2006 Industry Briefing 'Business Opportunities for IT in the Public Sector'. The annual briefing provides the infocomm industry with an early indication of government procurement plans so that they can better respond to government tenders. Besides IDA, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and National Library Board (NLB) also presented their infocomm procurement plans.

Some of the key projects to be called in FY06 include the multi-million dollar Human Resource (HR) Transformation project by MINDEF; the Facility Management Bulk Tender to provide professional infocomm manpower services for the Singapore Government by IDA; the Integrated Security System for Changi Prison Complex by MHA; the Student Hub to migrate student information to an open platform by MOE; and the New Human Resource and Finance System by NLB.

Speaking at the Industry Briefing attended by more than 700 industry participants, Mr Chan said, "Continual investment in Infocomm technologies for the public sector is essential as there is a constant need for the Government to exploit the potential of Infocomm technologies for operational efficiencies."

The FY06 procurement figure shows that the Singapore Government is maintaining its level of Infocomm investment. In FY05, the Government projected about S$700m worth of infocomm tenders, in addition to the special Standard ICT Operating Environment (SOE) tender worth S$1.5 billion. By end of FY05, S$1 billion worth of Infocomm tenders were awarded, excluding SOE. Among the key projects awarded in FY05 included the Supply, Support and Maintenance of Service Wide Hosting Service (SHINE)² by IDA; the Development and Operation Services of National Servicemen Portal, Data Centre and NS E-Services Centre by MINDEF; and the eCustoms Application by Singapore Customs.

Local infocomm companies, multi-national companies (MNCs) and government-linked companies (GLCs) participated actively in the government tenders. In FY05, local infocomm companies and MNCs were awarded 37% and 38% of the total number of infocomm contracts, with 25% going to the government-linked companies (GLCs). For contracts worth S$500,000 and less, 116 local companies were awarded for government contracts. 67 MNCs and 13 GLCs were awarded for government contracts.

One of the tenders last year that attracted much industry interest was that for SOE. After the first stage of tender, IDA revealed at the briefing that four out of the six consortia have been shortlisted for the next stage. They were shortlisted based on pre-qualification criteria, namely, financial capability, proven delivery track record, and expertise to deliver the SOE. The four consortia listed in no specific order are:

• One Meridian led by EDS International (S) Pte Ltd;
• Team HP led by Hewlett-Packard Singapore (Sales) Pte Ltd;
• One Team led by NCS Pte Ltd and IBM Singapore Pte Ltd; and
• A fourth consortium led by NEC Solutions Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

The shortlisted consortia will be consulted on the draft SOE tender specifications and will be invited to provide feedback to IDA. Feedback will be considered for inclusion into the final SOE tender specifications. The final SOE tender specifications will be issued to qualified parties in the second stage of the SOE tender by end-2006. The implementation of SOE in the government will create greater efficiency in the public sector by having a standardised desktop, network and messaging ICT operating environment.

At the briefing, MINDEF said that their annual Corporate IT portfolio budget of $300m would be translated to an estimated procurement value of $200m. One major project highlighted is the HR Transformation Programme which is pivotal to the transformation of the Third Generation Singapore Armed Forces. The programme will focus on people development, enhancing positive stakeholder experience and improving organisational flexibility.

MOE also shared information on their FY06 IT procurement plans with emphasis on the strategic focus of MOE's IT development requirements. Key procurement areas include projects such as Student Hub, Integrated Examinations System, Integrated Posting Systems and identified eServices.

The key procurement plans for the Ministry of Home Affairs include the building of an Integrated Security System (ISS) for Prisons Department and the Cargo Screening System (CASS) for the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority. The ISS forms part of the key infrastructure component of the Changi Prison Complex. The CASS focuses on security and will help to manage the entire cargo clearance process.

The National Library Board's key IT procurement areas include the development of an updated version of a Human Resource and Finance System and the phase one development of the Digital Library Infrastructure and Information Access Services.

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ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE

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Notes to Editor:

¹ Financial Year 2006 is from April 2006 to March 2007.

² SHINE is a central environment for Government to host their web application systems and deploy their e-services.

Related Resource:

• Factsheet on Standard ICT Operating Environment (SOE) (27.54KB)

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 info-communications 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 https://www.imda.gov.sg/.

For media clarification, please contact:

Serene Tan (Ms)
Manager
Corporate and Marketing Communication Division
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211-1168
Fax: +65 6211-2226
Email: Serene_Tan@imda.gov.sg

Jennifer Toh (Ms)
Manager
Corporate and Marketing Communication Division
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211-0508
Fax: +65 6211-2226
Email: Jennifer_Toh@imda.gov.sg

Rachael Low (Ms)
Executive
Corporate Communications
Defence Science and Technology Agency
Tel: +65-6879 5093
Mobile: +65-9793 5596
Fax: +65-6872 1462
Email: Rachael_Low@dsta.gov.sg

Sarah Anne-Teo (Ms)
Corporate Communications Executive
Corporate Communications Division
Ministry of Education
Tel: +65-6879 6120
Email: Sarah_Anne_Teo@moe.gov.sg

Tjeng Ai Geok (Ms)
Senior Executive
Corporate Communications Division
Ministry of Home Affairs
Tel: +64 6478 5696
Email: Tjeng_Ai_Geok@mha.gov.sg

Amy Gay (Ms)
Deputy Director
Corporate Communications
National Library Board
Tel: +65-9777 1474
Email: Amy_Gay@nlb.gov.sg