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About the QITC framework

The Queensland Information Technology Contracting (QITC) framework was co-designed by industry and government and forms the basis for all Queensland Government ICT contracts.

View the standardised contract documents.

The QITC framework:

  • provides a choice of contract forms that reflect the risk profile of each procurement
  • includes consideration of supplier terms and conditions for ICT services in certain circumstances

Understand how to use the QITC framework.

Table of contents

Existing contracts

What happens to existing GITC contracts?

Existing GITC contracts that are current when the new framework commences will remain in place for their duration unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the contract terms.

Existing Standing Offer Arrangements (SOAs)

How will existing SOAs be affected?

An SOA will continue for its duration unless the parties to the SOA agree to end it, or it is terminated in accordance with its provisions. Customers can continue to purchase under GITC SOAs for their duration.

Can we extend GITC SOAs?

GITC SOAs can be extended until all extensions are exercised.

Releasing Invitation to Offers (ITOs)

If I have released an ITO under the GITC framework, do I need to change it?

If the ITO has already been released using the GITC framework contract form, you can continue to proceed with the ITO under its terms.

Negotiating contracts

If I'm currently in negotiations with a supplier under the GITC framework, what do I do?

Depending on the stage of the negotiations, you have the choice of continuing with the existing GITC framework or using the QITC framework during the introduction period.

Contingent labour hire

What happens with contractors that are not covered by the QITC framework? What is the alternative?

For ICT contingent labour hire,  use the Department of Energy and Public Works (EPW's) whole-of-government Temporary and Contractor Workers Preferred Supplier Panel (GGS0060) for the engagement of ICT contractors.

Head agreements and A2(A)s

Are there whole of government head agreements under the QITC framework?

No. However, current head agreements and A2(A)s will still apply for existing GITC contracts and any GITC contracts created during the introduction period of the QITC framework.

Key version changes to the QITC documents

QITC version 1.0.0 Updated recorded

Module 3 – As a Service version 1.0.0

 3.10(c) (Security) Reference corrected to read 'SOC 2 Type 2 Report' - Version 1.0.1
Module 3 – As a Service version 1.0.0 Paragraph 3.22(b) correction of sub- paragraphing - Version 1.0.1

Key changes in the new framework

Terminology has changed in the QITC framework. See the changes below.

QITC framework terminology changes

GITC version 5.03

QITC version 1.0.0

Customer contract

Contract

Contractor

Supplier

General order

Details

Customer supplied items

Customer inputs

ICT consultancy services

ICT professional services

Variation

Change

Approved party

Subcontractor

Specified personnel

Key personnel

Customer data and processing environment

Customer's IT system

Contract specifications

Requirements

Changes have also been made to documentation in the QITC framework. See the changes below.

GITC version 5.03

QITC version 1.0.0

GITC, Part 1 – Contract authority provisions (Head Agreement) between the Contractor and the Contract Authority (GITC Services)

Not applicable

GITC, Part 2 – Customer contract provisions between the Contractor and the Customer

Four contract options: general contract, comprehensive contract, supplier's terms and conditions and bespoke contract

Schedule C1 – General order completed by the Contractor and the Customer to form a contract

For comprehensive and general contracts, the Supplier and the Customer complete the Contract Details to form a contract

Schedule C2 – Intellectual property ownership

Now:

  • Clause 12 of the Comprehensive Contract Conditions
  • Clause 14 of the General Contract Conditions

GITC, Part 3 – Customer contract modules (14)

Modules (7) for comprehensive contracts

Module orders

Module order forms for comprehensive contracts

GITC, Part 4 – Customer contract schedules (19)

Schedules (11) for comprehensive contracts but they can be used with other contract types, with modification where necessary

GITC, Part 5 – User guide

QITC user guide and guidance notes

Schedule A2(A) – Variations to the agreement (Parts 1 to 4) agreed between the Contractor and the Contract Authority (GITC Services)

Not applicable

Housing and Public Works' General Contract Conditions for General Goods and Services as an alternative to GITC for the procurement of low risk ICT services with a value under $1 million

Now: QITC General Contract Conditions

The Housing and Public Works' General Contract Conditions for General Goods and Services should no longer be used for ICT procurement

Read more about what's changed in the new framework.

To simplify ICT procurement in Queensland and to reduce barriers to working with government, accreditation is no longer required to purchase ICT products and services.

Government agencies should continue to carry out due diligence checks, with suppliers with whom they wish to contract, during the final stages of procurement. The type of checks will be based on the value and risk profile of each ICT procurement.

Why we needed a new framework

GITC was developed as a national framework in the 1990s, but most state and federal government organisations have moved away from the original framework.

In 2015, an independent review of GITC found that it had not kept pace with the needs of government and the ICT industry. With most ICT procurement contracts valued at under $1 million, the review aimed to find a government and industry co-designed solution that would:

  • reduce the cost of doing business with government
  • enable simple and fast procurement
  • retain adequate protection for contracting parties
  • allow contracts to be formed for emerging and innovative ICT products and services.

Watch the video to find out more about how the framework was co-designed by industry and government.

GITC review and refresh—our journey

Duration 2:54

Since the 1990s, the Queensland Government has procured ICT products and services through the Government Information Technology Contracting (GITC) framework - a one-size-fits-all model.

In 2015 there were 1,508 accredited GITC suppliers and it is estimated that the Queensland Government signed 1,400 GITC contracts, valued at around $800 million.

Many of the suppliers and ICT products and services available today didn't exist when the framework was created.

Marginal updates to the GITC framework have not allowed it to keep up with the fast pace of innovation and technology development.

A review of the GITC contracting framework took place in 2015.

The purpose was to answer the question "What is the right contracting framework for ICT procurement for Queensland Government?"

Through a series of consultations and co-design workshops with suppliers, legal firms and government representatives, the review concluded a more contemporary approach to ICT contracting was needed.

The aim was to establish a framework that:

  • reduces the cost of doing business with government
  • enables simple and fast procurement
  • provides protection for contracting parties; and
  • allows contracts to be formed for emerging and innovative ICT products and services

A framework that provides a choice of contract forms appropriate for the risk and value of each procurement.

We then embarked on the GITC refresh, a 3 stage journey that has led us to where we are today.

It has involved suppliers and government representatives working together to co-design a new framework.

The first stage involved small groups of industry and government stakeholders shaping the key aspects of the framework, ready for broad consultation.

It also brought to light some quick wins to make using the current GITC framework easier.

The second stage was where suppliers and government representatives were invited to be part of the wider consultation.

Over 200 stakeholders were invited to workshops and to take surveys to provide their input and feedback on the key elements of the framework – the contracts, a contract type decision tool, guidelines for using supplier terms and conditions and the approach to transition to the new framework.

To ensure the best outcomes from the consultation, we agreed to hold ourselves to six engagement principles.

The third and final stage is when the new framework is rolled out and the documents are ready for use, acknowledging there are some existing contractual arrangements that will remain until they come to an end.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. It has been a testament to how we can work together to deliver on efficiencies for both buyers and suppliers in Queensland.

More information

What's next?

Creating an ICT contract is the next step when buying ICT products and services.

See the full process for buying ICT products and services

Last updated:
30 June 2022
Last reviewed:
21 June 2021
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