NSW data centre short list a long-time coming

17 bidders cut to five

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The NSW Government has announced the short list of organisations for its ambitious data centre consolidation plans, seven months after expressions of interest closed.

The list has been culled from 17 to five, knocking-out including high-profile organisations including CSC, Fujitsu Australia and Oracle Australia.

Providers are bidding to assist with the "design, construction, commissioning, financing and provision" for the Data Centre Reform Project which will reduce the government’s 130 data centres into two, based in Sydney and Illawarra.

NSW Minister for Commerce, Paul Lynch, said the Government will release a tender to approved organisations shortly.

“This project will not only ensure capacity and safety in relation to government data needs but will also deliver important environmental benefits,” Lynch said in a statement.

“The data centre reform process has been welcomed by the market and will set the standard for government data facilities in Australia.

“I thank all of the businesses and joint ventures that submitted expressions of interest.

The NSW move mirrors that of the Federal Government, which in September chose five data centre providers to service Federal Government agencies while they develop whole-of-government strategies as part of the Gershon Review.

The state government is expected to announce the winners in the first half of 2011, according to a freedom of information documents obtained by the state opposition, The Australian reported.

The short-listed candidates: