The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance & National Economy, organised a workshop entitled IT Procurement Procedures, and Updated Policies and Standards.
The workshop was attended by more than 80 finance and IT employees involved in the preparation and review of IT procurement transactions for the government sector.
iGA Director of Governance & Enterprise Architecture, Dr Khalid Almutawah said: “This workshop is in line with the iGA’s efforts to execute government projects as per the policies and standards of the Ministerial Committee for Financial & Economic Affairs and Financial Balance, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. We aim to implement the Committee’s decisions in accordance with best practices and at the lowest possible cost, to support the government’s goal to optimise operational expenses and raise the efficiency of government sector performance.”
The workshop outlined updated IT procurement procedures, which include a streamlining of government procurement request and approval mechanisms, and a standardisation of classifications related to IT expenses in accordance with a framework approved by the Ministry of Finance & National Economy. This includes updated procedures for all request prerequisites.
The workshop also shed light on the work of the ICT Governance Committee, showcasing its duties and main responsibilities, as well as the procedures followed by IT and financial resource specialists which offer faster reviews and approvals. It showcased the updated version of the project document used to communicate details required for the evaluation of government technical projects. These details cover total investment and operation costs, and include a comparison of long-term implementation options.
The iGA also covered important computer procurement standards and technical specifications that are updated periodically, and which aim to direct investment towards devices with suitable specifications and prices to ensure that they match capacity requirements.
These standards are also aimed at extending the periods of the products’ usefulness to government departments and reducing technical problems, as per a recommendation by the Ministry of Finance and National Economy to implement multi-factor authentication techniques.
The workshop highlighted policies related to the purchase and usage of printing devices at government entities, which aim to reduce printing and operational expenses by determining the required number of devices, paper sheets, and consumables.
This is in support of efforts to encourage ‘green environment’ practices, including alternative methods to gaining access to devices such as renting, leasing, contracting printing companies to maintain low printing costs, and adopting a system that matches paper purchases with usage.