Summary and Q&As from Chris Fechner, Queensland Government Chief Customer and Digital Officer's presentation to the Queensland Digital Industry at the COVID-19 Partners in Technology briefing.

1. Queensland Digital Industry
Webcast
Partners in Technology
Queensland Government Chief Customer and
Digital Officer, Chris Fechner
9 April 2020

2. Key Messages
Department of Housing and Public Works 2
During the COVID-19 response, the Partners in Technology forum will be used as the key
mechanism for Queensland Government to engage with Queensland’s digital and ICT industry
and to share its key ICT, Digital and Data priorities.
The Queensland Chief Customer and Digital Officer will host fortnightly briefings which will
include a key address and a facilitated Q&A session with participants.
220 people participated in the second interactive Partners in Technology webinar which had a
focus on:
• Efforts to publish the Queensland Government Covid 19 website
https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/
• Emergency Procurement Guide & Short form contracts
https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/create-ict-contract#emergency
• SME Access Incentive
https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/guidelines-working-smes
• Cyber Security
• Government is still actively procuring across all areas

3. Key Messages continued
Department of Housing and Public Works 3
The CCDO encouraged all participants to continue to engage with government on digital
and ICT matters via the following channels:
• Events and Briefings: Partners in Technology Webinars (Fortnightly)
• Email: Share questions, ideas, challenges and offers of assistance by emailing
ICTIndustryEngagement@hpw.qld.gov.au
• Online : Queensland Government ICT online resources at:
https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/science-it-creative/ict

4. Questions and Answers
Department of Housing and Public Works 4
Q1: Can you share more information regarding the short form ICT contract?
A1: The short form ICT contract has been created especially for COVID19 response where
the value is less than $500,000 and duration is less than 12 months, contract terms are
simple and straight forward. Details are here:
https://www.forgov.qld.gov.au/create-ict-contract#emergency
Q2: What is happening with procurements that have been put on hold?
A2: Where possible existing procurements are continuing however there is a prioritisation
framework that is being used through
Definite slowdown which is to be expected, some have halted, but also several
procurements in HPW have been awarded.
Please understand that due to capacity and prioritisation, departments have had no
choice to pause certain activities. If you require clarity on an ongoing procurement,
send a formal clarification request to the procurement contact within the agency.
Following the CCDO’s briefing, a facilitated Questions and Answers (Q&A) session
was held with the participants. A summary of the key Q&A’s is provided below

5. Continued
Department of Housing and Public Works 5
Q3: How do we reach out to government to offer capabilities in key
areas??
A3: Please email ICTIndustryEngagement@hpw.qld.gov.au with as much detail as you
can share.
Q4: Can you elaborate any further in regards to Health, Education and Main
Roads procurement?
A4: There is one particular callout regarding digital identity and access, we’re looking for Agile
coaches and scrum masters. There is a definite pivot away from waterfall delivery to agile
delivery. Partners in product and agile development continuous delivery models are in need.
Q5: What are the themes that will receive a high focus going forward?
A5: Three key themes are Identity, Data Sharing and Digital Transformation. As you will have
noticed dashboards and other information has been coming through in new ways from
Government. We are seeking capabilities in data aggregation, management and presentation to
produce meaningful scorecards and models.
Q6: Solutions have been provided to one particular agency in response to COVID19, how can
that be shared wider across the sector?
A6: Agencies are sharing information in an ad-hoc manner, but a central COVID19 task force run
through the Department of Premier and Cabinet is coordinating with agency COVID19 task
forces and sharing information. Additionally the CIO leadership group is meeting weekly and is
working to coordinate information between agencies. You are welcome to share these with

6. Continued
Department of Housing and Public Works 6
Q7: How is government responding to COVID19 with open data?
A7: Most datasets produced are personally identifiable so we are not really
able to share them. The Federal government is working towards sharing
de-identified data across the country which we will make use of when it
becomes available in conjunction with our own data. We will continue to
keep to the promise of open data
Q8: What are you views on the situation with contingent labour (contractors)?
A8: We respect that contingent labour has been impacted by the current crisis due to
funding for projects being re-evaluated in regards to critical priorities. Professional
services have also been affected but to a lesser amount, and this is an
unfortunate reflection of the world that we are in right now. It is not just a local
problem, and has been discussed across wider government jurisdictions.
Q9: How are you supporting the local industry?
A9: We are doing what we can to ensure that after COVID19 there is a strong ongoing
digital and IT industry in Queensland. We are purposefully looking at how we can
engage with SME’s, local providers and larger suppliers engaging SME’s.

7. Thank you
Please don’t hesitate to contact me or my office
ICTIndustryEngagement@hpw.qld.gov.au