Govt contract huge boost for Datacom

New Zealand-owned information technology company Datacom has been selected as one of three suppliers to deliver a major ICT transformation for the Western Australian Government.

The information and communication technology ( ICT) contract with the state government will see Datacom, NEC and Atos compete in a “walledgarden” environment for projects across different agencies.

The Herald understands the deal has the potential to be one of Datacom’s largest. If so, that would put the contract in the league of their 2015 tender with the Federal Department of Health in Australia, worth A$242 million ($254m) over five years.

Datacom, however, could not comment on how much the deal is worth because its value was not yet known, a spokesman said.

The Western Australian Government spends roughly A$300m a year on IT and is attempting to reduce cost through the contract.

As a part of a three-member panel of preferred suppliers, Datacom will have the right along with NEC and Atos to bid on all new work as it arrives.

“The appointment of Datacom as one of three suppliers of ICT infrastructure to the Western Australian Government marks the beginning of an exciting new digital era for the public sector,” said Western Australia Government Innovation Minister Bill Marmion.

“The new arrangements will modernise technology across government and provide the technical platform for the state’s ICT Strategy Digital WA.”

Datacom chief executive Jonathan Ladd said the company was proud to have been awarded the work after an intensive, competitive tender process.

“We look forward to working with the [Western Australian] Government to . . . providing the world-class infrastructure and support to match the Government’s vision for truly 21st century governance — flexible, efficient and cost effective,” Ladd said.