PNG Government Introduces ICT Procurement Standards and Best Practices 2025

The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) has released the Papua New Guinea Government ICT Procurement Standards and Guidelines 2025, establishing a unified framework for all public sector ICT purchases.

The new standards, developed under the Digital Government Act 2022, aim to improve transparency, cost-efficiency, and standardization across government ICT systems. They apply to all government agencies at national, provincial, and local levels.

Key Objectives

• Promote fair competition and value for money.
• Ensure quality, reliability, and security of ICT products and services.
• Support interoperability across government systems.
• Enforce compliance with cybersecurity, privacy, and accessibility requirements.
• Promote ethical, sustainable, and transparent procurement practices.

Procurement Methods

Government entities must follow clear, transparent methods including:

• Open and restricted tendering
• Requests for quotations (RFQs)
• Direct procurement (only in special cases)

Each procurement process will be monitored to ensure accountability, fair vendor selection, and compliance with technical and ethical standards.

Implementation and Review

DICT will lead the centralized procurement system and oversee periodic updates to align with emerging technologies. The policy also requires regular vendor performance evaluations and sustainability checks.

Standardized ICT Products

The guidelines recommend standardized tools such as:

• Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu operating systems
• Microsoft Office 365, LibreOffice, and Google Workspace
• Certified servers, laptops, and mobile devices
• Cybersecurity and cloud solutions that meet ISO standards

These measures support the government’s broader digital transformation agenda by ensuring efficient, secure, and future-ready ICT procurement.