IBM GSA scores lucrative Government deal

IBM GSA has fought off outsourcing competitors EDS and CSC to score a five year $350 million deal with the Federal Government's Health Group agencies.

The services giant announced late yesterday the agreement covers a wide rage of in-house IT infrastructure and services and is designed to give the agencies faster access to new technologies.

The Government Agencies included in the contract are the Department of Health and Aged Care (DHAC), the Health Insurance Commission (HIC) and Medibank Private.

IBM reports the agreement scope covers the supply of technology as services for mainframe, midrange, around 8000 desktops, LAN, telecommunications, cross platform, help desk and bulk print and card production technologies for the DHAC and HIC.

In addition, IBM has enlisted support from a raft of industry partners including Advantra, Optus, Telstra, ASI Solutions, Hallis Personnel, Mail Management Australia, Lexmark, Interim Technology, Exceed Systems Integration and TSG Software.

The deal also gives IBM the chance to forge a stronger partnership with the Federal Government by assisting in the creation of an Industry Development package, the company reported yesterday.

David Thodey, IBM's Australia/New Zealand general manager, said in a press statement: "This agreement represents the first contract IBM Global Services Australia has been awarded under the current OASITO process and is indicative of the Federal Government's commitment to provide the Australian public with the benefits of the world's most advanced IT services."