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Consultants
The Department's policies on the selection and engagement of consultants are based on the CPGs, the CEIs, and government policies. The Department complies with all government legislation, policies and guidelines relating to procurement.
The Department's internal policies are flexible and are based on a relatively decentralised model. Greater responsibility and accountability is achieved by giving divisions responsibility for developing requirements and managing contracts.
However, important checking and control mechanisms are in place. A senior officer in the relevant Division must approve any consultancy contract and the Legal Group provides, on request, advisory and administrative support to project officers who are involved in contracting.
The Department's selection procedures are based on contract value, market conditions and the nature of the particular requirement. Procurements of $80 000 or greater are offered publicly in accordance with the Mandatory Procurement requirements by advertising on the AusTender website and in the press, or through the use of established panels. For consultancies of a lower value, or where market conditions or other special circumstances make it appropriate, the Department may use alternative methods including the various forms of select tender process.
Consultants are engaged for a wide variety of purposes in the Department. They are typically engaged to provide complex professional services that the Department does not have the ability to perform in-house. These services include matters such as technical advice, financial advice and specialised information technology services. Figure 3.6 shows expenditure on new and existing consultancy contracts in 2005–06.
Figure 3.6 Expenditure on new and existing consultancy contracts 2005-06
| A. | New consultancy contracts let during period | 186 |
|---|---|---|
| B. | Total expenditure on new consultancy contracts let during period | $4 005 163.23 |
| C. | Number of ongoing (i.e. pre-existing) consultancy contracts active in the period | 51 |
| D. | Total expenditure on ongoing (i.e. pre-existing) consultancy contracts during period | $1 461 725.30 |
Figure 3.7 identifies the expenditure on consultancy contracts over the three most recent financial years.
Figure 3.7 Expenditure on consultancy contracts 2003-04 to 2005-06
Further details are provided in the consultancy list available on the Department's website www.dcita.gov.au