A public consultation has been launched to invite public views on the Information Technology Professional Services Arrangement.

In the Digital 21 Strategy 2004 promulgated recently, the Government announced its plan to review the arrangement tendering approach this year as part of its continuous enhancement of the IT outsourcing programme.

Since 1994, the Information Technology Services Department has adopted a bulk supply arrangement to enable Government departments to obtain IT professional services more effectively.

The present arrangement started in June 2002 and the normal term of the relevant contracts will expire around year's end. Although the contracts provide for a time-limited extension period, the department is conducting a review to find ways to improve or replace the arrangement.

Improvements sought

The consultation paper explains the present arrangement and discusses issues and areas for improvement that were identified through feedback from departments, contractors and the industry. The paper also makes an initial analysis of some improvement or replacement options.

Key issues in the consultation include:

* participation by suppliers, length of contracts;

* selection of contractors and quality considerations;

* categorisation of services and suppliers; and,

* categorisation of human resources, sub-contracting, country of origin of workforce, managing conflict of interest, and supplier registration system.

The consultation paper can be downloaded from the department's website. Requests for an electronic copy can be made at itpsa_review@itsd.gov.hk.

Comments should be sent to the department at the same email address, by fax to 2574 3799, or by post to 6/F Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai, on or before June 12.