update SINGAPORE--The government is set to spend S$1.14 billion (US$833 million) over the next 12 months on new infocomm projects, according to the country's Infocomm Development Authority (IDA).
Some 391 tenders will be called in financial year 2008, ending Mar. 31 2009, of which 42 percent will be worth at least S$500,000 (US$365,400), IDA CEO Ronnie Tay said Wednesday at an industry briefing attended by over 600 delegates. The IDA serves as the Singapore government's CIO.
Last year, the government projected it would initiate about S$730 million worth of ICT tenders but eventually committed a total of S$2.12 billion on 654 contracts, including the S$1.3 billion SOEasy project, reported Tay.
Industry players, he added, had been active in the various government IT projects.
Tay said: "Last year, excluding the SOE tender, more than 290 companies were awarded 653 contracts worth a total value of S$820 million... Local companies secured 64 percent [of the contracts], with the rest going to multinational corporations."
The new infocomm budget will include a S$250 million (US$182.7 million) grant under the recent RFP (request for proposal) to appoint the operating company for the country's next-generation broadband network, which also represents the biggest share of the projected spend.
In addition, the government is also planning to establish a second government data center estimated to cost S$100 million (US$73.1 million). According to Pauline Tan, IDA's senior director at the government chief information office, the first data center--which was commissioned in 2001--is reaching full capacity.
Tan said the new government data center will be more sophisticated and will incorporate more features designed to provide resilience. Tay noted that the IDA is also considering green technologies, but pointed out these will be evaluated when proposals are submitted.
The Singapore government portal, www.gov.sg, will also be given a facelift that is scheduled to be completed by October 2009.
The revamped site will offer "a higher level" of integration among the various public sector bodies, said Tan. For example, she explained, users can obtain news of or provide feedback to any government agency. The site will also feature a more intuitive search, lifestyle content, and will serve as a platform for the government to consult citizens and businesses on new ideas it plans to introduce.
Apart from the IDA, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) and Ministry of Defence (Mindef) are also expected to be big spenders on ICT.
IRAS intends to procure hardware and software as part of a tech-refresh initiative of its tax administration system, as well as engage data center leasing and operation services. MHA expects to implement a biometric identification system for motorcyclists at border checkpoints, while Mindef will roll out an identity management system.
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