Australian Government - Department of Education, Science and Training

 Annual Report 2003 - 2004

 

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Appendix 4 - Consultancies

This Appendix provides information on consultancies used by the department in 2003–04. Summary details are shown according to the department’s organisational structure (see Figure 2.3).

The Department’s Policy on Selecting Consultants

The department engages individuals and companies to provide professional services under contracts for services, taking account of the skills and resources required for the task, the skills available internally and the cost effectiveness of these options.

Consultancy services are one particular type of service delivered under contracts for services. They are distinguished from other contracts for services by the nature of the work performed. A consultant is an entity, whether an individual, a partnership or a corporation, engaged to provide professional independent and expert advice or services. Consultants are typically engaged to investigate or diagnose a defined issue or problem; carry out defined research, reviews or evaluations; or provide independent advice, information or creative solutions to assist the agency in management decision making.

By contrast, other (non-consultancy) contracts for services will typically be far more restrictive in the degree of latitude afforded to the contractor. These types of contracts may be characterised by a clear and tight specification of the form of product or service to be produced; or by a set of requirements that will be specified as to the manner in which work is to be performed.

The decision to engage a consultant is made by programme managers in accordance with the department’s Financial Management Manual (Section 6: Procurement) and the Procurement Manual.

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Summary of consultancies

Table A4.1 summarises, by organisational structure, the number of consultancies providing services for the department in 2003–04 and the total expenditure on them, regardless of the year in which the contract was let.

Table A4.1: Consultancies, summary of usage by department, 2003–04

Responsible work unit

Number

Cost ($’000)

Australian Education International Group

38

1 079
Corporate Strategy Group

25

1 622
Executive

1

161
Higher Education Group

9

401
Indigenous and Transitions Group

13

916
Information Services Group

16

548
Innovation and Research Systems Group

16

249
Procurement, Assurance and Legal Group

10

2 337
Questacon

2

10
Schools Group

78

5 776
Science Group

20

1 320
State offices

4

53
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation Group

31

2 522
Vocational Education and Training Group

11

336
Total

274

17 330

Note: Includes all consultancies, even those with a value of less than $10 000.

Source: Departmental records. This information is subject to revision.

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Details of consultancies

Table A4.2 provides details of consultancy contracts the department let in 2003–04 and the value of the contract over the entire life of the contract. Contracts with a value of less than $10 000 have not been included, in line with annual reporting requirements.

Table A4.2: Consultancy contracts let in 2003–04

Group PRN ref. Contract no. Consultant Description

Contract value

Code A

Code B
AEI PRN3812 2894 Acumen Alliance Pty Ltd Business analysis to assist in scoping a business technology proposal

$10 000

PA

3
AEI PRN5174 75030 Acumen Alliance Pty Ltd Business Process and Information Mapping

$48 000

SS

3
AEI PRN3284 2685 Allen Business Services Develop operational qualifications framework for Thailand post-secondary education sector

$65 075

SS

3
AEI PRN3328 2663 Austraining International
Pty Ltd		 Government Sector Linkages Indonesia Quality Assurance Project

$17 759

SS

3
AEI PRN3539 2810 Austraining International
Pty Ltd		 Government Sector Linkages Programme phase three of Indonesian Quality Assurance and Management for Basic Education Project

$95 000

SS

4
AEI PRN3431 2670 Austraining International Pty Ltd Indonesian Quality Assurance and Management Project

$52 450

SS

2
AEI PRN5219 75126 Australian Council for Educational Research Aptitude Test—China Pilot

$99 540

SS

3
AEI PRN3337 2544 Fisher, Helen Development and management of the APEC Architect Project

$108 500

SS

4
AEI PRN5448 75194 Gadfly Online Communications Country Education Profile Online Prototype

$71 830

SS

3
AEI PRN3529 2732 Gadfly Online Communications Development of functional specifications and graphical design concept for the AEI e-Business project

$61 268

SS

4
AEI PRN3589 2772 Gadfly Online Communications AEI web site redesign

$10 000

SS

3
AEI PRN3385 2692 Gadfly Online Communications Provide e-Business development expertise to assist with the development and implementation of the AEI integrated
e-Business system

$61 778

SS

3
AEI PRN3485 2702 ICMS Australasia Pty Ltd Research into the feasibility of a proposed international education conference

$10 120

SS

3
AEI PRN3504 2832 ITA Pty Ltd Conduct Phase One of a project to promote the Australian VET Framework in China

$142 934

SS

2
AEI PRN5127 75175 KPA Consulting Pty Ltd Consultancy services for evaluation of Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000

$225 337

IS

1
AEI PRN5024 75091 National Centre for Vocational Education Research Survey of Offshore Delivery of Public Vocational Education and Training

$379 720

SS

4
AEI PRN5155 75035 University of Melbourne APEC Senior Education Officials and 3rd Education Ministerial Meeting

$10 000

SS

3
AEI PRN5577 75193 University of Melbourne Study abroad/study exchange systems in industrialised countries

$39 528

IS

3
AEI PRN3357 2694 University of Melbourne Australian APEC Project—Best Practice Governance: Education Policy and Service Delivery

$88 750

SS

4
AEI Sub-total

$1 597 589
               
Corporate Strategy PRN5353 75147 Ascent Consulting Pty Ltd Call Centre Review

$65 800

SS

3
Corporate Strategy PRN2875 2974 Batey Kazoo Communications Pty Ltd Development and Production of the 2004 ‘New Apprenticeships Advertising’ Campaign

$1 021 783

SS

2
Corporate Strategy PRN3228 2486 Civic Financial Planning
Pty Ltd		 Provision of advice/information in relation to management of mature workforce

$10 395

SS

3
Corporate Strategy PRN3292 2902 Hiser Group DEST Corporate Internet Redesign

$213 384

SS

1
Corporate Strategy PRN3586 02800 HLA Envirosciences Pty Ltd Consultancy to undertake ISO14001 certification of the DEST Environmental Management System

$50,875

SS

3
Corporate Strategy PRN5089 75102 Horizon Public Relations
Pty Ltd		 2004 Minister’s Awards for Excellence—Metropolitan, Rural and Regional Employers of New Apprentices

$178 436

SS

4
Corporate Strategy PRN5369 75084 Hunt, Chris Independent investigation–Review of Actions

$12 600

IS

3
Corporate Strategy PRN5047 75028 Interchange Development of a Building High Performing Teams Programme

$99 270

SS

3
Corporate Strategy PRN5347 75087 ASIO T4-Protective Security Protective Security Risk Review of DEST

$40 128

IS

3
Corporate Strategy PRN2854 2978 Worthington Di Marzio Pty Ltd Market research services surrounding the 2004 New Apprenticeships Campaign

$208 175

SS

2
Corporate Strategy Sub-total

$1 900 846
               
Higher Education PRN3156 2884 Gus Guthrie Consulting
Pty Ltd		 Further Development of the National Protocols for Higher Education Approval Processes

$56 650

SS

3
Higher Education PRN5030 75068 The Hiser Group Preparation of the information architecture for the Going to Uni web site

$49 610

SS

3
Higher Education PRN5968 75248 The Learning Catalyst Development of a training package

$27 480

SS

3
Higher Education PRN5032 75202 Worthington DiMarzio Pty Ltd Market research services for the Higher Education Reforms Communication Campaign

$88 000

SS

2
Higher Education Sub-total

$221 740
               
Indigenous and Transitions PRN5140 75029 Australian Strategic Services Australian Strategic Services—Facilitation and training

$13 402

SS

3
Indigenous and Transitions PRN5117 75094 Kennedy Consultants Pty Ltd The Nursing Initiative

$102 300

SS

4
Indigenous and Transitions PRN5147 75222 Lantern Consultancy Preparing draft Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme evaluation reports 2003

$14 112

IS

3
Indigenous and Transitions PRN5299 75093 Network Australia Inc VETnetwork Australia National Conference

$113 201

SS

4
Indigenous and Transitions PRN3471 3101 The Allen Consulting Group Development of a strategy to support the universal recognition of employability skills across schools, VET, higher education and the broader community $165 000

SS

1
Indigenous and Transitions Sub-total $408 015
               
Information Services PRN3688 2828 AAS Consulting Pty Ltd Data Communications Separation Consultancy

$39 820

SS

3
Information Services PRN5225 75054 AAS Consulting Pty Ltd Evaluation of request for tender for Managed Data Network

$30 000

SS

3
Information Services PRN3762 2858 Acumen Alliance Pty Ltd Assistance to undertake a current state review and gap analysis of the Information Management System

$46 200

PA

3
Information Services PRN3796 2881 Acumen Alliance Pty Ltd Conduct, 1) a review of the I-RAP Information System, 2) a 2004 Systems’ Threat and Risk Assessment, and 3) a Gap analysis for Defence Signals Directorate certification

$99 100

PA

3
Information Services PRN5422 75098 Acumen Alliance Pty Ltd Development of the in-house business case for network separation

$15 000

SS

3
Information Services PRN3407 2729 APIS Consulting Group IT portfolio management

$96 188

PA

3
Information Services PRN5012 75047 Consolve Pty Ltd Development of Education Student Assistance System ABSTUDY Database and reporting for the ABSTUDY review

$29 210

SS

3
Information Services PRN3469 2695 Consolve Pty Ltd Development of the Business Intelligence Improvement Project

$64 495

SS

3
Information Services PRN5447 75109 Creative Interactive Systems Pty Ltd Service Improvement Program

$18 810

SS

3
Information Services PRN3760 2857 Enterprise Management Solution Conduct an information technology service management assessment of DEST’s current information technology service capability/maturity

$15 950

PA

3
Information Services PRN3794 2878 Hewlett Packard Australia Pty Ltd Disaster recovery services within the computing infrastructure

$55 000

PA

3
Information Services PRN5526 75115 Hewlett Packard Australia Pty Ltd Overall Disaster Recovery Plan

$50 000

SS

3
Information Services PRN3522 2824 Records Solutions Pty Ltd Review of the records management procedures in the department’s Record Management Unit

$23 072

PA

3
Information Services PRN5192 75166 Records Solutions Pty Ltd Records Solutions implementation of Records Management Unit

$99 000

SS

4
Information Services Sub-total

$681 845
               
Innovation and Research Systems PRN3454 2682 Deakin University Development of a case study which profiles the establishment and operation of the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health

$11 550

SS

3
Innovation and Research Systems PRN3341 2550 Dowrick, Professor Stephen Develop papers and seminars examining the links between science, innovation and growth

$12 000

SS

3
Innovation and Research Systems PRN5191 75189 Morris Walker Pty Ltd Editing Australia’s future using education technology Report

$19 574

SS

3
Innovation and Research Systems PRN3403 2659 University of Melbourne A study of funding for major research infrastructure and university sector research in various overseas jurisdictions

$28 600

SS

3
Innovation and Research Systems Sub-total

$71 724
               
Procurement, Assurance and Legal PRN3738 2850 Erskine, Christopher Provision of ad hoc legal services

$15 000

SS

3
Procurement, Assurance and Legal PRN3687 2826 Max Shanahan and Associates Pty Ltd Independent IT audit on the various components of the BUYiT Test Strategy

$15 000

SS

3
Procurement, Assurance and Legal PRN5126 75056 Project Outcomes Pty Ltd Review of Risk Management Training Materials

$34 740

IS

3
Procurement, Assurance and Legal PRN3550 2752 TMS Travel Management Solutions Expert advice and assistance with the development of a request for tender for, and procurement of, travel management services

$14 000

SS

3
Procurement, Assurance and Legal Sub-total

$78 740
               
Questacon na na The Australian National University Technical advice for the shark encounter

$10 000

SS

3
Questacon na na Acumen Alliance Development of a business continuity plan

$22 285

SS

3
Questacon Sub-total

$32 285
               
Schools PRN5179 75051 Australian College of Education 2004 National Awards for Quality Schooling $302 500

SS

 4
Schools PRN3538 3103 Australian Council for Educational Research Conduct research to investigate effective ‘third wave’ intervention strategies for students with learning difficulties who are in mainstream schools in Years 4, 5 and 6 $867 921

SS

 1
Schools PRN3251 2588 Australian Curriculum Studies Association Provision of training materials for schools to align their policies and programmes with the National Safe Schools Framework $53 000

SS

3
Schools PRN3390 2794 Australian Principals Association Professional Development Council The provision of Strategic professional advice and support for schools to align their policies and programmes with the National Safe Schools Framework for schools that have limited access to systemic support $247 000

SS

 4
Schools PRN5182 75176 Australian Science Teachers Association Science, Community and Industry Partners $297 000

SS

 4
Schools PRN3523 2769 Charles Sturt University The Eye Observatory Remote Telescope Project $216 700

SS

 4
Schools PRN5107 75022 Curriculum Corporation Publication of the Collaborative Australian Secondary Science Project materials on web site

$33 000

SS

3
Schools PRN5202 75048 Drug and Alcohol Office, Western Australia Adaptation of the Western Australian ‘In Touch: Managing Drug Use Issues in Schools’ resource for national use to address the needs of at-risk students

$86 020

SS

4
Schools PRN5256 75190 Education.au Ltd Secretariat services for Australian Information and Communications Technology in Education Committee Standards and Interoperability Committee

$198 000

SS

4
Schools PRN2797 2520 Erebus Consulting Group Identification of Best Practice Approaches to Transfer of Student Data Project

$190 300

SS

1
Schools PRN3181 2666 Erebus Consulting Partners Evaluation of the Discovering Democracy programme (2000–03)

$253 000

IS

1
Schools PRN5201 75032 Erebus International Implementation review of resources developed under the National School Drug Education Strategy

$60 500

SS

3
Schools PRN5528 75177 Erebus International Uniform school starting age

$38 830

IS

3
Schools PRN5343 75066 Gai Sheridan International Pty Ltd Review of the Gender Equity Framework

$97 196

IS

1
Schools PRN3239 2474 Independent Schools Council of Australia Supporting the independent schools sector in activities associated with the National Measurement Advisory Group

$19 800

SS

4
Schools PRN5678 75215 Melbourne University Private Limited The 2004 National Quality Schooling Framework

$342 584

SS

4
Schools PRN5488 75186 Melbourne University Private Limited Boys’ Education Lighthouse Schools Project

$699 512

SS

1
Schools PRN3129 2848 Monash University Early Childhood Learning Resources

$947 387

SS

4
Schools PRN2605 2662 Murdoch University Using action learning principles to inform and improve students progress in developing numeracy skills

$44 000

SS

1
Schools PRN3667 2847 NSW Technical and Further Education Open Training and Education Network Tertiary resilience and drug education resources for the development of pre-service teacher resilience and drug education resources

$138 415

SS

3
Schools PRN3635 2812 NSW Technical and Further Education Open Training and Education Network Development of resources to support the implementation of the revised principles for school drug education 2003

$150 747

SS

4
Schools PRN5206 75045 NSW Technical and Further Education Open Training and Education Network Resilience education and drug information lower primary school resources

$298 270

SS

4
Schools PRN5204 75130 NSW Technical and Further Education Open Training and Education Network National School Drug Education Strategy Parent Initiative project

$518 622

SS

1
Schools PRN2799 2518 Oz Child Children Australia Student mobility—identify, document and disseminate best practice approaches to help students adjust to new schools

$157 385

SS

1
Schools PRN5303 75103 Price, Victor Compilation and interpretation of data for the General Recurrent Grants programme

$90 000

SS

4
Schools PRN5317 75059 Solved at McConchie Pty Ltd Issues Paper for the Parent–School Partnerships project

$19 000

SS

3
Schools PRN3428 2779 The Allen Consulting Group Consultation for the establishment of a National Institute for Quality Teaching and School Leadership

$532 088

PA

4
Schools PRN3176 2886 University of Canberra Conduct research on ways to improve the learning outcomes of students with disabilities in mainstream classes in the early, middle and post-compulsory years of schooling

$367 042

SS

1
Schools Sub-total

$7 265 819
               
Science PRN3549 2743 ASIO T4 Protective Security Risk review for the transport of low level radioactive waste

$11 720

SS

3
Science PRN3706 2898 Australian Trade Commission (AusTrade) Showcase for ExpoMin April 2004

$107 224

SS

3
Science PRN3643 2798 Australian Valuation Office Valuation of the site and access route for the national repository

$49 500

SS

3
Science PRN3780 2899 Environment Business Australia Showcasing services associated with Enviro 2004

$81 400

SS

4
Science PRN3656 2813 Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia Pty Ltd Provision of technical information and advice in relation to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency licence application for the national repository

$45 100

SS

3
Science PRN5547 75119 Southside Technical Services Pty Ltd Provision of scientific services in regard to the national repository and the national store

$30 000

SS

3
Science Sub-total

$324 944
               
State Office PRN3353 2709 Marshall Associates Review of Parnngurr Community School

$11 955

IS

3
State Office PRN3513 2914 RSM Bird Cameron Undertake an independent feasibility/sustainability study to examine the viability of expansion proposals by the Clontarf Football Academy

$22 200

IS

3
State Office PRN3732 2842 Sunshine Orange Audit of administrative and financial practices of Mirriwinni Gardens Aboriginal Academy, Giiguy Gamambi Preschool and Gumbaynigirr Preschool

$16 500

SS

3
State Office Sub-total

$50 655
               
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5581 75159 Access Economics Pty Ltd Future demand for vocational education and training

$39 237

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5278 75196 Australian National University Impact of education and training on welfare recipients

$33 000

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN2940 2637 Curtin University Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth –analysis grants

$15 338

SS

1
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5896 75230 Howard Partners Pty Ltd Research fellowship scheme 2003–04: Measuring the full impact of research commercialisation

$69 300

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN3197 2759 James Cook University Making education and career decisions: School students’ aspirations, attitudes and influences

$191 875

SS

1
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5545 75210 KPA Consulting Pty Ltd Focus groups with parents and interviews with senior staff at high demand Government schools

$99 770

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5699 75198 Management Alternatives Pty Ltd Development of social capital questions for the longitudinal survey of Australian youth

$28 597

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN2974 2792 Melbourne University Private Limited Development of Schooling Issues Digest No. 6 Student Motivation and Engagement

$27 096

SS

1
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5965 75246 Micro Training Update the ‘Atlas of Higher Education: A Community Focus’

$27 500

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN3739 2900 National Centre for Vocational Education Research Conduct research for a literature review of New Apprenticeships and desk-top analysis on trends in government and industry expenditure on New Apprenticeships

$33 550

PA

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5641 75174 Palm Consulting Group Pty Ltd Preparation and facilitation of strategic planning workshop

$13 420

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN2930 2661 Quantitative Evaluation and Design Pty Ltd Calculation of 2002 Year 12 completions by socioeconomic status and home location

$49 333

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN3443 2676 The Allen Consulting Group Conduct structured interviews with key stakeholders for evaluation of Backing Australia’s Ability

$35 200

IS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5900 75225 The Allen Consulting Group Research fellowship 2003–04 return on investment of publicly funded research

$86 625

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5454 75104 The Social Research Centre Survey of long-term New Apprenticeship outcomes

$146 878

SS

1
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN3521 2789 The Social Research Centre Survey of New Apprenticeship outcomes

$242 735

SS

1
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5359 75209 University of Melbourne Young Visions Phase 3

$170 458

IS

4
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN2940 2664 University of Sydney Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth—Analysis Grants

$17 192

SS

1
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN5450 75116 University of Sydney Graduate Destination Survey—testing of survey questions

$21 000

SS

3
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation PRN2940 2745 University of Western Sydney Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth—analysis grants

$19 580

SS

1
Strategic, Analysis and Evaluation Sub-total

$1 367 684
               
Vocational Education and Training PRN3361 2736 Horizon Public Relations Pty Ltd 2003 Minister’s Awards for Excellence—Rural and Regional Employers of New Apprentices

$119 845

SS

4
Vocational Education and Training PRN3661 2819 Max Shanahan and Associates Pty Ltd Review of the impact of New Apprenticeships Centres e-lodgement of training contracts

$35 000

IS

3
Vocational Education and Training PRN3593 2773 Max Shanahan and Associates Pty Ltd Review of New Apprenticeships Centres contract transition from round 2 to
round 3

$22 000

IS

3
Vocational Education and Training PRN5449 75122 Max Shanahan and Associates Pty Ltd IT review of ABEN New Apprenticeships Centre

$11 825

SS

3
Vocational Education and Training PRN3660 2871 Monash University Review into the impact of revised user choice arrangements on New Apprenticeships Centres’ business levels in Queensland

$48 103

IS

3
Vocational Education and Training PRN3505 2738 Worthington Di Marzio Pty Ltd Developmental research to inform future communication strategy for New Apprenticeships

$49 830

 IS

2
Vocational Education and Training Sub-total

$286 603

  
               

 

Code A: reason for use of consultancy services
 		 Code B: reason for advertising or non-advertising of consultancy
 
IS need for independent study/evaluation 1 advertised as a public invitation
PA need for professional assistance to manage and
facilitate change and its consequence		 2 not advertised—used existing departmental or Commonwealth exclusive use or panel arrangement
SS specialist skills were not otherwise available 3 not advertised—used thresholds in line with departmental minimum standard of procurement
  4 not advertised—obtained exemption based on: sole supplier, pre-eminent expertise or urgency and practicality

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