NSW proposes SME ICT procurement targets

The NSW Government plans to commit to procuring a greater proportion of its ICT needs from SMEs in response to the recommendations from the ICT and Digital Sovereign Procurement Taskforce.

Under the new procurement policy, the government has proposed to set spend targets including having 30% of all ICT procurement addressable spend to go directly to SMEs.

Other proposed commitments include ensuring 25% of indirect ICT procurement addressable spend in all procurements valued above $3 million is spent with SMEs.

The recommendations also include actions aimed at benefiting Aboriginal owned entities, regional enterprises and start-ups.

NSW Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the proposed targets are aimed at ensuring SMEs can participate fairly in the opportunities presented by the state’s recovery from the bushfires and pandemic.

“NSW is the most digitally advanced jurisdiction in Australia, thanks in large part to the experience and expertise of our local ICT industry. Demand for technology solutions is only going to increase and the tech workforce is only going to get bigger, and we want SMEs to remain at the forefront,” he said.

“This a double win for the state — it will cement our position as the digital capital of the Southern Hemisphere and help drive economic growth and job creation.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/azrisuratmin