Government to facilitate SME to bid IT projects

The Government is considering measures to facilitate information technology (IT) companies, in particular small and medium enterprises, in bidding Government tenders for the provision of IT services, the Information Infrastructure Advisory Committee (IIAC) learnt at its meeting today (May 20).

Members of the IIAC were consulted on how to improve the future operation and mechanism of the Government's Information Technology Professional Services Arrangement (ITPSA) when the current contract term expires by the end of this year.

The ITPSA provides a procurement mechanism through which Government departments can obtain IT professional services from a panel of contractors . The Arrangement currently consists of 23 standing offer agreements awarded to 12 suppliers through public tendering.

The Government is now reviewing the ITPSA and consulting the IT industry on how the system can be further improved. Consideration will be given on the need for a supplier or contractor registration system and other measures to further enhance facilitation to small and medium IT companies in bidding for Government IT projects.

Members of the IIAC welcomed the review, and expressed their views regarding the catergorisation of IT professional services, how service quality was to be factored in the selection process and how to facilitate participation by sub-contractors.

During the meeting, members were also briefed on the proposals made in the consultation document "Information Technology in Education - Way Forward" issued by the Education and Manpower Bureau in mid-March.

The meeting also noted that the Task Force on the Promotion of Wireless Services and Technology had organised a series of education activities to promote and facilitate the development of wireless technology and applications in Hong Kong.

Established in December 2003, the Task Force has also been working closely with the IT industry and the wireless technology industry through the Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre in Cyberport to organise various activities on technology and applications issues.

Chaired by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, the IIAC is an advisory body established since August 1998 to advise the Government on how to drive IT development in Hong Kong. The committee comprises three other official members and 15 unofficial members appointed by the Chief Executive from the IT and business sectors and the academic field.

Thursday, May 20, 2004

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