By Lilia Guan

 

The Department of Finance and Deregulation has recently established a major office machines (MOMs) whole of government panel for equipment and support.

 

Use of the MOMs’ panel was mandatory for government agencies subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act).  Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997.

 

Agencies may opt in to use these arrangements although it won’t be available to government jurisdictions.

 

A spokesperson for the department told Government News the arrangement will “mean better value for money” from the negotiated pricing for equipment and support.

 

Further savings will be available for agencies by not having to go to market individually and data quality will be improved through better reporting.

 

Agencies will be able to transition to the new arrangement; through termination of an existing contract or its expiration; immediately for new purchases where no arrangement exists or by ceasing to use an existing contract; or by transferring an existing contract or relevant elements of the

contract if it is with a panellist.

 

“During the establishment of coordinated procurement arrangements, FMA Act agencies operate under transitional arrangements to support continuity of supply and readiness for the new arrangements,” said the spokesperson.

 

“Agencies are required to transition to the new arrangements once they are established.”

 

The Equipment and Support Panel has three categories; network printers – four classes (three monochrome, one colour); multi-function devices – six classes (three monochrome, three colour); scanners – three classes (A4 high resolution, A4 and A3 high speed).

 

The Panellist by category are; category one, two and three - Fuji Xerox; category one and two - Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia, Kyocera Mita Australia and Ricoh Australia; category one only - Lexmark International (Australia); and category two only - Sharp Corporation of.

 

The panel also provides support, maintenance and consumables (excluding paper). Both purchasing and leasing options are available.

 

“MOMs’ equipment and support panel is one the latest whole of government panel arrangement to be established by the department under coordinated procurement arrangements,” the spokesperson said.

 

“Finance evaluated the tender responses received for the Equipment and Support Panel in accordance with the evaluation criteria contained in the request for tender. The outcome of this process was announced on 19 April 2011.”

 

A further panel for fully managed print services will be established in the coming weeks and until the tender process has been completed, the protocols for dealing with existing suppliers continue to apply.