Major competitive tendering and contracting activities

Our major competitive tendering and contracting out of services is described below. This section includes the major contracts let in 2006—07. All tenders and contractual arrangements are carried out in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and contracts are subject to evaluation. We are satisfied that our procedures meet our business needs and achieve value-for-money for the Australian Government.

IT services

An open tender for an electronic document and records management solution was conducted during the second half of 2006. The contract was awarded to Interwoven Inc in March 2007.

The IT gateway services tender, which was an open tender, was undertaken during the first half of 2006 with the contract being awarded to Cybertrust (Australia) Pty Ltd in September 2006.

Legal services

We have an agreement with a panel of four legal firms to provide us with legal advice across a wide spectrum of issues until April 2009. The panel comprises the Australian Government Solicitor, Mallesons Stephen Jacques, Minter Ellison and Phillips Fox.

Publishing services

Our contract for publishing services ended in December 2006. We conducted an open tender for these services in the latter part of 2006 resulting in a contract being awarded to Canprint Communications Pty Ltd until December 2009 with an option for a further two years.

Contracting out major financial statement audits

During the 2006—07 financial year we contracted out a number of financial statement audits. The major audits put out to tender in this period were: the Australian Office of Financial Management which was awarded to KPMG; ASC Pty Ltd (formerly Australian Submarines Pty Ltd) and Air Services Australia, both of which were awarded to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

PAS consultants’ panel

We use a panel of 31 consultants to assist with the conduct of performance audits. Following an invitation to the market, the panel was refreshed in August 2006.

Lease of office accommodation

Following a competitive tender process we signed an Agreement for Lease with Cromwell Property Securities Limited for the lease of 19 National Circuit, Barton for 10 years commencing 23 September 2008.