New ticketing system tender

Executive summary
RESPONSE provided by the Chairman, Transport Ticketing Authority
The Transport Ticketing Authority (the Authority) welcomes the conclusion of the
audit of the New Ticketing Solution (NTS) tender process and the opportunity to
comment on the findings, recommendations and consider points of the proposed
report.
Given the public interest in this significant public transport initiative, the Authority
is pleased that there has been a detailed and independent external review of the
NTS tender process.
Audit’s objectivity and expertise in conducting this review and formulating its
findings provides independent assurance to Government and the community that
the NTS tender process was properly conducted.
Audit’s finding that the tender was properly conducted and also that there was no
evidence that TTA staff were implicated in the alleged leak of tender documents,
confirms the validity of the actions taken by the Authority two years ago to
investigate this matter and the findings of the two previous enquiries in relation to
the alleged leak.
The Authority’s full cooperation with audit demonstrates the Board’s commitment
to ensuring that the process would be thoroughly reviewed. The Authority
particularly welcomes audit’s finding that “the Authority identified the conflicts of
interest in a timely way. Audit found no evidence of corruption in the NTS tender,
and no evidence that the conflicts of interest led to the unfair or biased treatment
of particular tenderers or groups of tenderers.”
The Authority accepts audit’s findings that the NTS tender process:
• was innovative and displayed areas of good practice
• governance arrangements were consistent with the relevant legislative
requirements and the relevant procurement guidelines
• was well planned and that the essential plans, processes and administrative
arrangements were in place when the NTS tender commenced
• had adequate policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with
VGPB guidelines
• largely met the Authority’s objectives for the NTS procurement process.
It is noted that a significant proportion of audit’s recommendations relate to
matters that are the responsibility of the Government’s central agencies. These
include the size and composition of the Authority’s Board, enhancement of whole
of Government procurement policies, management of the Government’s Probity
Services Panel and accountability arrangements for statutory agencies.
The Authority has no formal role in the determination of such matters, although it
supports any initiative that will contribute to effective public sector management,
and on that basis, emphasises that it will continue to comply with all relevant
Government guidelines and statutory requirements.
New Ticketing System Tender 9